John Gallagher, a former Detroit Free Press reporter and columnist, considers himself an advocate for the preservation of Detroit’s historic architecture.
But when it comes to two towers of the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit, he's all for tearing them down.
In a Free Press column he writes:
So why now do I favor demolishing two towers of the landmark Renaissance Center, as owner General Motors and its adviser Bedrock suggest? Here’s why: If there’s one thing I cherish more than preservation, it’s good public spaces. And nowhere does Detroit need thoughtfully designed, easily accessible public spaces more than along our riverfront.
The plan by Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock calls for razing the two RenCen towers nearest the river plus the RenCen’s labyrinthian podium that has confused visitors for 50 years. In its place, Bedrock would build park-like attractions on the waterfront.
