Here are a few pictures taken of the building as it sits today. This morning I had the first cleaning crew show up and we began emptying the elevators. It seems someone thought it would be a good idea to fill the elevators with trash and construction debris, the other elevator had enough auto parts to open a wrecking yard… Yeah that’s a muffler…
Elevator filles with dead birds and construction debris
Elevator filled with auto parts..
After sweeping all the pigeon poo and layers of dirt off the main floor we could see the beautiful mosaic tile in the entry way. Unfortunately someone tried prying up some of the green tiles making up the leaves in the design. Wanting to keep the floor original I will leave its defects but cover it in a layer of polyurethane to protect it from future damage.
The entry is also covered in beautiful marble that will clean up nicely.
Look at that beautiful entry!
I am accepting bids to replace or repair all the exterior windows. 208 new windows isn’t an easy project but I hope to get them replaced or repaired before Summer.
Front of the building before restoration
Geeese, look at all those windows to replace!
I have a friend in Texas that restores elevators who owes me a favor. He has agreed to come out in late June and completely restore the 1906 Otis Elevator system. The city wont allow me to use the elevators for the public but I want to restore them anyway and proudly display an original completely restored Otis Elevator system from the turn of the last century.
*******4/26/2009**********
Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting David Kohrman one of the most talented “Abandoned building” photographer and Historic Preservation specialist. David has cataloged through photography some of the most amazing structures throughout the north east, some of which are no longer with us. He drove down from Chicago and spent the whole day Saturday taking over 200 pictures of the People’s Bank Building in its current condition. Needless to say his photos are breathtaking. Here is an example..
People's Bank Building David Kohrman
This is the link to the photos David Kohrman took of the People’s Bank Building. I am grateful for him taking the time to come from Chicago to spend the day taking beautiful pictures of the building. Please visit one of David Kohrman’s website specifically dedicated to Forgotten Detroit .
mr. miller, i, for one am glad that someone has taken an interest in the old bank building. i grew up in greene county, in franklin township, on a farm during the 50′s and 60′s. then a ‘trip to town’ was a treat, and as a kid the one treat we got, among others, was riding to the top of the county office building. my grandfather knew the man who ran the elevator, and we would politely ask of him, with my grandfathers okay, to take us to the top floor and back. he always did. and from a kid who had never been on anything but level ground, the whir and hum of the whole thing in what i remember as a shiny wooden box with a man working a brass lever was fascinating. ….i remember that there may have been some scandal at the bank after the crash in 1929, that somebody either launched themselves out the window or did themselves in some other way from a bank failure, and that was why my grandparents never put money in that bank. these are a memory of conversations that you listen to when, as a kid, the adults think you aren’t listening. anyway, wish you the best with your endeavour, c. f. paul
Paul, thank you so much for the story about the elevator, I have heard the gentleman who ran the elevator had one arm. I cant wait until you can take a ride again (Once they are restored of course) and recall the same feeling! I will also research the story about the “scandal” . Maybe I can check police records … Thanks again!
Clara Mae gave me the website so I decided to see what you have accomplished. It is stunning. I would like to take a tour some day when you have the time or are up there and can call and we will drive up. I have no idea how Clara Mae found this on the web but I am glad she did.