Category: Civic pride
Posted by Dave Krieger on Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 4:14 PMMovie helps spurs revival of Highland Park's McGregor Library
The fabulous yet closed McGregor Library in Highland Park is finally seeing signs of life. The city of Highland Park has formed a 503(c) nonprofit to raise funds for the refurbishing and hopeful reopening of the jewel.
The library's bronze doors were finally revealed this week, albeit for just a short time for a movie, after being hidden under plywood for so many years.
Highland Park was an idealic suburb within the city of Detroit in the '50s and '60s. Now, 50 years later, it stands as a symbol of all that is wrong with racism, corporate greed and lack of opportunities. This is what happens when there is a breakdown and flight of an educated middle class - its effects are felt throughout.
Drive through any number of streets in the two historic districts and you will see only a smattering of homes that are kept up to their classic looks. Drive through other streets and see the sense of abandonment the residents must feel - burned-out shells of buildings, empty lots, trash strewn about and blowing from corner to empty corner. The schools are abandoned and windowless, the streets pock marked with asphalt patch. Industry, shopping and dining are almost nonexistent.
If Detroit is the barometer of what our cities are becoming, then I would say Highland Park is the barometer for Detroit.
All may not be lost. Recently, the city began policing itself again after a wave of corruption and scandal. The Wayne County Sheriff's Department is no longer assisting in patrolling the town. The new police chief, Theodore G. Cadwell II, said at a council meeting last night that the department has solved every major crime this month, either arresting or identifying those responsible. The city has a new mayor, Hubert Yopp, who is dedicated to holding property owners responsible for appearance and bringing back the library to its purpose: helping to educate the city's residents.
Benefit for library on Thursday
On Thursday at Taste, there is a benefit for the library with actor Danny Glover, the star of the movie "Highland Park," appearing to help raise money for the library and embrace a neglected treasure.
