The Observation Deck

Posted: **Fri Dec 22, 2006 11:25 am**

Look Ma!

The structural bracing that has been holding the historical front of Garfield in place, while the new building has been constructed around it, has been removed.

The old and the new portions of the building are tied in as one and under a common roof. Windows will be installed soon.

The good weather has permitted much of the front (south side) brick facade to be put in place giving everyone a strong sense of the building's future look and feel. Also, the weather has helped the district stay on time and on budget with all four buildings.

Looking good ! I encourage everyone to take a drive by Garfield or any of the other 3 new buildings (Harding, Harrison and Hayes) under construction sometime over the holiday period. Public access tours of the schools will be available sometime in the 1st quarter of 2007 and will be announced as soon as possible.

Posted: **Fri Dec 22, 2006 1:38 pm**

Due to tending puppies, I haven't been able to do the usual drive-bys, so I appreciate the update!

Posted: **Sun Dec 24, 2006 2:26 pm**

dl meckes wrote:Due to tending puppies, I haven't been able to do the usual drive-bys, so I appreciate the update!

DL

As you have often helped me see things I could not, I now return the favor. Here are some pics of Garfield.

.

Posted: **Sun Dec 24, 2006 7:06 pm**

Ohhh... Thank you!

It no longer looks like it's got orthopedic pins holding it together!

Posted: **Wed Dec 27, 2006 2:44 pm**

Glad to see the renovation effort conserved the historic architecture.

Lakewood's unique architecture (esp. Lake, Clifton Avenues, plus churches/temples and some commercial buildings on Detroit) was one of the things which attracted me to the community.

Architecture may seem like a luxury to some, but it is an actual, everyday part of our urban environment. Done well, architecture builds community. Done poorly, it is blight that leads to crime.

Architecture is one way our "old" city has the edge over Phoenix, Orange County, the Sun Belt. How interesting is new pre-fab construction? It's not unique, just more creep towards a lowest-common-denominator society in which consumerism is culture.

Lakewood's unique architecture reverses that trend.