Appeal Denied, Stadium Demolition Resumes

DETROIT (WXYZ) - A non-profit group has lost its legal fight to preserve old Tiger Stadium.

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Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Prentis Edwards denied a request by the Tiger stadium Conservancy to halt demolition of what remains of the historic ballpark. The Conservancy won't appeal the ruling.

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation ordered that demolition resume immediately. A crowd gathered nearby to watch as a backhoe began crushing the upper deck of the stadium Monday afternoon.

The Tiger Stadium Conservancy group had been trying to raise enough money to help preserve the area. The group had hoped to raise $33.4 million to redevelop what is left of the stadium.

Tiger Stadium first opened in 1912 as Navin Field. The Tigers played their last game at the old ballpark in 1999 before moving to Comerica Park.

STATEMENT FROM DETROIT MAYOR DAVE BING:

“While I remain sensitive to the concerns of those who wish to preserve Tiger Stadium, I also must honor the decision of Judge Prentis Edwards to move forward with the recommendations of the DEGC relative to the demolition of Tiger Stadium.”

STATEMENT FROM THE EDC/DEGC:

"We are gratified Judge Prentis Edwards confirmed the Economic Development Corporation's determination that, while the plan to preserve a portion of Tiger Stadium may have been desirable, it simply did not have the financial support it needed to proceed.

We recognize the passion of members of the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy, but that does not change the fact that they did not have the funds to complete the project, nor did they have the prospect of doing so.

In the interest of public safety, demolition of the structure is resuming immediately and we expect to have the site cleared in 60 to 90 days.

As long as the EDC was bound by contract to the Conservancy, it could not discuss alternatives for the site with other developers.

That contract has been terminated, and the Economic Development Corporation may now begin the process of reviewing other development proposals for the property."