DETROIT (WWJ) -- A major demolition project kicked off Monday morning on Detroit's west side, signaling the continued advancement of the Joe Louis Greenway path and marking another successful step toward removing blight in the city.
The La Choy factory has stood at 8100 Schoolcraft, just east of Wyoming, since it opened in 1937, according to HistoricDetroit.org.
Starting at 9 a.m. Monday, crews from Detroit-based Adamo Group began taking down the remaining portions of the structure, which had already deteriorated significantly over the years. The factory is approximately 100,000 square feet, and the cost of this week's demolition is $1.6 million.
Removing the nearly 100-year-old factory is part of the large-scale Joe Louis Greenway project, in which the City of Detroit undertook the task of creating a 27.5-mile path that will connect Detroiters in 23 neighborhoods to existing trails, including the Dequindre Cut, and the Detroit Riverfront.
When the path is complete, more than 40,000 residents will be able to walk to the greenway within 10 minutes. The greenway will also serve as a regional connector to Hamtramck, Highland Park and Dearborn.
In addition to developing and building the new path, the team behind the Joe Louis Greenway has resolved to beautify the surrounding areas as well.
WWJ's Ryan Marshall spoke with Project Manager Christina Peltier at the demolition site on Monday.
"We can't just build the greenway and not address issues in the community around the greenway," Peltier said. "So it's really important for us to work with our city department partners in removing blighted buildings and blight around the area as we construct the greenway."
Peltier also told Marshall that they are currently taking requests for proposals to start work clearing the former rail corridor. That work is expected to begin in the next few months.
While tearing down blighted commercial and residential buildings is necessary to the Joe Louis Greenway's development, it is also part of the city's efforts to create a healthier environment for residents and businesses to grow.
Mayor Duggan has pledged to address other infamous buildings, including the Cadillac Stamping Plant, AMC Headquarters and the Packard Plant, where demolition began last September.
More information about the Joe Louis Greenway is available here.
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