Petition to save the Mellus Newspapers Building

Whereas, the City of Lincoln Parks Downtown Development Authority purchased the historic Mellus Newspapers Building, 1661 Fort Street, Lincoln Park as well as its sister building, Pollak Building, adjacent at 1667 Fort Street, Lincoln Park and is planning the demolition of both buildings.

Whereas, the Mellus Newspapers Building and Pollak Building has become an eyesore and something must be done about its appearance.

Whereas, the Lincoln Park DDA has no plan to develop the site and would raze this landmark for nothing but another empty lot. (Other demolitions in Lincoln Park in the sake of redevelopment have led to sites sitting empty for years, i.e. two buildings at Fort Street & Euclid)

Whereas, this 1941 building, Mellus Newspapers Building, was the longtime home of Lincoln Parks newspaper, the Lincoln Parker, and other Downriver local newspapers. The building is architecturally significant and unique, and is a key link between the city's past and its future and cannot be replaced.

Whereas, the Mellus Newspapers Building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2005 and is eligible for Michigan Historic Tax Credits as well as federal rehabilitation tax credits, making its redevelopment more financially viable.

Whereas, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has urged the City of Lincoln Park DDA to not destroy the Mellus Newspapers Building.

Whereas, nearby buildings of comparable age and design such as the Book-Cadillac Hotel (closed in 1984) and the Fort Shelby Hotel (closed as a hotel in 1973) had stood abandoned and deteriorated for several decades and were redevelop and praised as gems and symbols of hope and triumph in the City of Detroit and become tourist attractions.

Whereas, the Mellus Newspapers Building HAS generated redevelopment interest, even in its dilapidated state, and would certainly generate even more if cleaned up.

Therefore, we the undersigned urge the honorable Mayor Frank E. Vaslo and the City of Lincoln Park DDA to stop the plan to raze this landmark and have the DDA use some of the money set aside for demolition to instead clean up the building, make it secure and marketable and serve as yet another key piece in the rebirth of the great City of Lincoln Park.