The ruins of a nearly century-old former Cadillac stamping plant abandoned more than 30 years ago in Detroit are finally coming down.
It's one of several large, empty plants around the city that are often photographed as symbols of its economic decline. Mayor Mike Duggan last week said the factory is being replaced by a new industrial building that will create 450 automotive and manufacturing jobs.
"What should be a prime site for workers in Detroit, instead we've had a site that's been a national embarrassment," Duggan said.
The site already has received more than $18 million worth of lead and asbestos removal and contamination cleanup, and demolition is estimated to cost about $6 million. The new facility is expected to open in about a year.
The plant, designed by renowned industrial architect Albert Kahn, was built for Hudson Motor Co. in 1925. General Motors bought the plant in 1956 and built hoods, fenders and bumpers for Cadillacs until the late 1980s.
A machine tool company occupied a portion of the property until as recently as 2015.
