DETROIT (WXYZ) — The Hazel Park Raceway closed after 69 years. Now, the real estate investment company that purchased the once declining raceway has found a way to honor its past, while helping Detroit's future.
Unused wood from the horse stables at the Hazel Park Raceway are being repurposed for Detroit businesses.
"We recognized the value of the wood and thought salvaging it would honor this iconic structure and keep its memories alive," said Collin Graw, construction project manager at Ashley Capital, the company that purchased the raceway. "We began contacting local businesses for help."
After Ashley Capital purchased the area, and the Tri-County Commerce Center was constructed, the racetrack was demolished. That made way for new developments and approximately 700 news jobs, according to a release.
The Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit (ASW) helped salvage the wood in order "to keep environmental resources out of the waste stream."
The End Gran Woodworking Company is working with ASW and Ashley Capital to create new wood pieces.
"We jumped at the opportunity," said Sam Constantine, co-founder and co-owner of The End Grain Woodworking Company, which makes products using old wood from buildings throughout Detroit. "Each piece has its own story, and we make sure it continues to be told instead of getting lost in a landfill."
Each of the products made using the reclaimed wood will be engraved with the Hazel Park Raceway logo.
