DETROIT – The Renaissance Center is undoubtedly the signature building of the Detroit Skyline. It’s used in logos, brochures, websites, and more.
The Renaissance Center is also Michigan’s tallest building at 727 feet.
Although nothing’s official, there’s a lot of talk about the Ren-Cen being demolished.
“When you think of Detroit, and you see the skyline, you see the Renaissance, and you know, oh, that’s Detroit,” said Detroiter Ayonna Sargent.
“I remember when it was built in the 1970s,” said resident Anna Bandoian.
Built in 1977, to be exact, Detroit’s Renaissance Center has always been a staple of the city. But now rumors are circulating that the iconic building may be coming down or changing as we know it with the possibility of it coming down.
“That’s an icon for Detroit,” said another Detroit resident, Michael Glass. That building is beautiful. I don’t think it should come down.”
House Minority Leader Matt Hall is accusing Michigan Democrats of keeping about $320 million of the state’s budget and using part of that to demolish the building.
“They left it there because they wanna spend it tearing down the Renaissance center and putting light rail over, but I would say a bigger problem that we need to solve is the failing education system in our state,” said Hall.
If demolition plans are indeed made, some people hope Dan Gilbert will continue to be Detroit’s savior.
“I’m pretty sure he can. He’s got all the money in the city, and I’m pretty sure he can put some more stores in there or something,” Glass said.
“Whoever can save it, It would be great,” Sargent said.
As Detroit’s renaissance continues, the Renaissance Center may be nearing its end. What better way to say the old Detroit is deer than getting rid of the most iconic markers in the skyline?
“I know the Hudson building is coming, but still, Renaissance is iconic,” Glass said.
Amber McCann, spokesperson for Democratic House Speaker Joe Tate, sent Local 4 a statement based on the speculation.
“It is common for the legislature to leave money on the balance sheet as part of the budget process to account for potential adjustments throughout the fiscal year. Mr. Hall likes to speculate and make unfounded claims on a variety of topics, and I am not aware of any plans regarding the Renaissance Center.”
Amber McCann, spokesperson for Democratic House Speaker, Joe Tate