In the News!

Crews save what they can from Masonic Temple

September 2006

By Tony Bruscato

The Masonic Temple in downtown Plymouth, a fixture across from Kellogg Park since 1924, faces a date with the wrecking ball in a few weeks. In its place on Penniman Avenue will be a $2 million multistory structure that will house a restaurant, offices and condominiums.

However, before the 82-year-old building is razed and sent to a landfill somewhere, some of the 2 ½ story building will actually find useful purposes in reconstruction projects around metro Detroit.

Owner Fabian Ciavaglia donated money to Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit, a nonprofit group which salvages old – if not historic – wood floors, glass windows, electrical fixtures, door knobs and anything else that can be reused in renovation projects.

An ASWD crew spent much of last week taking out everything and anything that can be of use in other construction projects.

“We try to save anything we can, especially antiques,” said Calvin Dennis, an ASWD crew manager. “There were some nice lights, real brass with etched glass, and some old doors.”

“We also took out two urinals, which had the original piping,” he said. “Those will sell just because they’re old, maybe a restaurant or even someone’s basement.”

Architectural Salvage Warehouse will sell the good from the deconstruction project at its warehouse at Grand River and Warren in Detroit, and at prices generally less than buying new.

“Our main goal is to get these great materials into use again,” said Carolyn Mosher, president of ASW.

“What’s nice about this particular job is we’ll take some of the wood doors, pine trim and about 2,000 square feet of maple flooring and use it in construction of an artists residence in the historic Woodbridge area of Detroit,” Mosher said. “The caliber of the pine from the period is far superior to what’s sold today. We’ll be going back this week for the windows, which are wood, which many people prefer.”

Ciavaglia said he wanted to salvage as much as he could from the Masonic Temple.

“It’s like saving our heritage,” Ciavaglia said. “We want to preserve, instead of throwing out. Plus, it helps the community.”

Information on donating or purchasing building materials from the Architectural Salvage Warehouse can be obtained by calling (313) 515-0399, or at www.aswdetroit.org.

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