Join us in safeguarding Lafayette Park. Sign this petition to demand an alternative route for Detroit Thermal's steam pipe project that preserves our irreplaceable green spaces and the historic character of our community while providing their customers' service! Tell the Detroit Historic District Commission (HDC) to Vote NO on Detroit Thermal’s plans.  

On May 14 the Historic District determined the private utility provider did not submit a complete. The utility's weak attempt to blow past the HDC did not work! The construction as intended will damage countless trees and landscape original to the historic National Landmark that is our home and private property. 

Lafayette Park and the cherished Mies van der Rohe Historic buildings, offers residents a unique experience of living within a landmark of art and history. Its carefully designed landscape, an integral part of this architectural gem, provides vital green spaces that contribute to our community's environmental health, historic character, and overall quality of life.

Detroit Thermal's proposed construction threatens to disrupt the harmony of our beloved neighborhood and irreversibly damage the landscape that defines our historic district. The mature trees and green spaces are not merely aesthetic features; they are essential to maintaining the environmental integrity and public health of our community.

The Mies van der Rohe Residential District is a National Historic Landmark, recognized for its pioneering modernist architecture and urban design. The seamless integration of built and natural environments is a cornerstone of its historic significance. Detroit Thermal's proposed work risks undermining this delicate balance and altering the very essence of our landmark neighborhood.

We, the residents of Lafayette Park, urge the Historic District Commission to reject the current construction proposal. We call for the exploration of alternative routes that utilize the public right-of-way, thereby avoiding intrusion upon our treasured green spaces and the disruption of our homes and everyday life. This approach would safeguard the district's historical integrity and protect the well-being of its residents.

It's crucial to remember that the land we now call Lafayette Park has a profound and often painful history. It was once the thriving community of Black Bottom, unjustly destroyed by urban renewal, and before that, the ancestral territory of Waawiyaataanong, stolen from the First Peoples by colonizers. This context underscores the importance of responsible stewardship and avoiding further disruption to this historically significant site.

This is more than just about preserving trees; it's about protecting our home, our history, and the ecological balance of our urban environment. We need your support to urge local decision-makers to prioritize responsible planning that respects the historical and natural legacy of the Mies van der Rohe Residential District.