The current owner of the original Detroit Saturday Night building plans to tear it down for parking. We're asking that they instead restore and reuse the building.

People visit and live in downtown because of its density, walkability and historic architecture. Parking detracts from the things that make downtown special.

Demolishing this building is a step backward in downtown's revitalization.

The history of the building began in 1911, when newspapermen Harry Nimmo and William Orr asked architects Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls to design a home for the Detroit Saturday Night. It opened in 1914. The newspaper moved to a larger location in 1929, but the building at 550 West Fort continued to provide office space for generations of business people.

Near the former Detroit Free Press building and behind the Fort Shelby Hotel, the Detroit Saturday Night building offers prime opportunity for retail, commercial, or residential space, all of which are currently at a premium in greater downtown.

Fort Shelby Residential LLC: rehab the building, or sell it to someone who will, but do not demolish it for more parking.