As the dust settles in downtown Pontiac, the final above-ground element of the Phoenix Center has been razed, signaling a turning point for the area's development. Officials from Oakland County and Pontiac city view this as a catalyst for growth. CBS News Detroit reported that the historic buildings that have framed Saginaw Street for decades watched over the last standing piece of the Phoenix Center as it came down, while local businesses like Pontiac's Little Art Theatre & The Green Room Café, remain optimistic about the potential influx of people and activity the demolition could bring.
The Phoenix Center's demolition, which started in April this year, is part of a multi-million dollar revitalization effort including the redevelopment of the vacant General Motors building to accommodate up to 700 county employees, the construction of two new parking garages and the addition of green space; a project Karen Platen Jorgensen, curator for Pontiac's Little Art Theatre & The Green Room Café believes every city needs to be walkable to be successful, telling CBS News Detroit that she has met many incredible people and maintains a hopeful perspective despite the challenges of the past few years.
Monday morning's demolition of a concrete staircase of the old open-air amphitheater at the Phoenix Center was heard throughout downtown Pontiac, as described by The Detroit News; the demolition tool, affectionately termed the "dinosaur," crumbled the structure piece by piece. Oakland County Deputy Executive Sean Carlson emphasized the momentum of the project, labeling it a moment of significant progress while critics and supporters exchange views on its cost-effectiveness and long-term benefits for the region.
Local reactions to the demolition are mixed, with M1 Grill's manager, Cici Dedaj expressing a nostalgic sentiment as they witnessed the change, telling WXYZ that there's a certain sadness in seeing the staircase go and that it's been an entertaining process observing the demolition over the past months, Leonard Smith, an M1 customer and former Phoenix Center employee recalled the venue as a vibrant center for concerts and gatherings. The comprehensive $60 million project, which is reportedly ahead of schedule, will not only see the relocation of county employees but will also lead to a reconstruction of Saginaw Street to a through street after 50 years of interruption, as Pontiac City Council President Mike McGuinness explained the various phases of this overhaul including the development of office towers, businesses, apartments, city park, and parking structures, which will contribute to rejuvenating the fabric of historic downtown Pontiac.
