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Michigan Department of Transportation photographs

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 177

Scope and Contents

The collection contains photographs of the exteriors and occasionally interiors of 44 buildings or sets of buildings removed for the construction of US-131 and I-196 expressways. The buildings photographed were mostly located on the West Side of the Grand River in the area bounded by Mt. Vernon, Turner and Scribner Ave. (removed for US-131), but there are photos of several other buildings on either side of the river (removed for I-196).

The photographs depict the buildings abandoned or nearly abandoned, shortly before they were razed. Many buildings already leveled can be seen in the background of some of the photographs. The collection is arranged geographically by address and alphabetically by street name.

Dates

  • 1960-1962

Creator

Biographical / Historical

In 1951, Charles M. Ziegler, State Highway Commissioner, announced that the proposed north-south US-131 state highway would be routed directly through downtown Grand Rapids and that planning for its construction would begin in the next year. It was suggested that a route west of the Grand River was chosen in order to avoid the costly acquisition of valuable property on the east bank of the Grand River. The State Highway Commission responded that the West Side routing between Turner/Mt. Vernon and Scribner Ave. was chosen because traffic studies had concluded that the greatest amount of traffic was in the flow between Northwest and South.

In August, 1957, Keith M. Honey, Grand Rapids City Planning Director pointed out that many families might be hurt by the demolition necessitated by this routing. In an exhaustive study of the possible effects of the expressway route, Honey showed that around 800 dwellings would need to be razed and an additional 600 would be isolated between the expressway and the river. Honey sought federal aid in an urban renewal project to assist these people and gave the work a high priority.

In September 1957, in response to comments by 1st ward City Commissioners Bernard S. Barto and Stanley J. Davis, Honey requested that the route be shifted further east, between Scribner and Front Ave. This routing would have a smaller negative impact on community. John C. Mackie, City Highway Commissioner, and Paul Goebel, Mayor, had determined that Honey's proposed routing would make the construction of the interchange with the proposed US 16 (now I 196) far too costly because it would be too near the river. The east-west routing of US 16 expressway was still tentative at this time, but would most likely be built through the center of residential, industrial and commercial areas on both sides of the river. As a result of Honey's efforts, however, a large number of West Side residents and property owners were able to get more equitable assessments and hence better prices for their homes.

By 1960, all property needed for the construction of US-131 through Grand Rapids had been condemned. By 1962, all necessary property for I-196 through Grand Rapids had been condemned. Construction began shortly afterward.

Extent

0.71 Linear Feet (Two boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) photograph collection contains photographs of buildings in Grand Rapids, Michigan shortly before they were demolished for the construction of US 131 and I 196 expressways (1960-1962). This is only a sampling of the buildings that were razed, not a complete documentation. The images in the collection are copies taken from original negatives held by the Michigan Department of Transportation. Accompanying the images are photocopies of maps which act as keys to the location of the buildings razed.

Arrangement

Also included is a system of maps that can be used to precisely locate the buildings pictured in the collection. If you are looking for the location of a building included in the collection, refer to the map that corresponds to the number indicated on the folder or in the finding aid. The number is written in green in the upper-right corner of the map. On the appropriate map, the buildings depicted are highlighted and their folder number is written in the highlighted area. Also included are three primary maps to demonstrate broader location. A current map of the area is also included with the pictured areas highlighted.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Michigan Department of Transportation, accession number 00.000

Related Materials

Collection 240 has some maps, drawings or guides regarding the construction and access to US 131 and I 196. Included are those from the Michigan State Highway Department.

Collection 132 has Michigan Department of Transportation reports on bridge/street constructions over the Grand River.

Title
Finding aid for the Michigan Department of Transportation photographs
Status
Completed
Author
Sam Arnold, Dennis Morrow (building identification)
Date
May 1995
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497