Highland Park's Model T Plant may get second life

The Woodward Avenue Action Association has kicked off a campaign in hopes of saving a key piece of automotive history.  I find it amazing that this complex still stands, considering Ford moved operations to Dearborn after a few short years.  Perhaps not nearly as amazing as the fact that it's sat in abandonment, a forgotten landmark, perhaps partially victim of a time long past, in a city once considered one of the nicest in the country, now arguably, one of the worst.  I would love to see this gem restored, as I feel it could easily become a tourist destination.  Here is the official press release from WAAA.

BENEFITING: WOODWARD AVENUE ACTION ASSOCIATION INC
EVENT: #STARTARYOT Challenge
EVENT DATE: Aug 20, 2013

 

What if your $5 could help save, a National Historic Landmark and part of the Ford Model T Plant, considered one of 10 buildings that changed America?

Ford Highland Park Plant is special for a lot reasons. This is where . . .
√ Henry Ford instituted the moving assembly line 100 years ago on October 7, 1913, and became the birthplace of industrial mass production
√ Workers were paid $5 A Day – double the average industrial wage at the time – it actually allowed the workers to buy the product they made – it launched America’s middle class
√ The beautiful buildings designed by legendary Albert Kahn are known as the Crystal Palace because of the large windows, openness and natural light
…there is so much more but our goal is to open this site to the public so we can tell you more and let you see it in person.

These buildings at Ford Highland Park have sat empty and deteriorated for decades, another example of Detroit's decline. With your help, WA3 will change that.
As a champion of all things on M-1(Woodward Avenue), we are seizing the opportunity to buy these Ford Highland Park plant buildings. Once we own them, we will raise money to restore them to what they once were, and open its doors to the public so everyone, including you, can be where Henry Ford once stood.

We are nearly 80% of the way towards our goal! We have $125,000 left to raise by September 19 and every dollar counts. We are in a competiton called the RYOT Challenge, and the charity that raises the most money online will win $75,000.  In addition, donations to our campaign will go four times farther because the State of Michigan is matching every $1 you donated with $4 up to $400,000.

If you, your family, or friends worked for Ford, drove a Ford, or just love cars and want to restore a National Landmark with a rich heritage in our town, skip that ice latte today and donate to our $5 A-Day Ford Highland Park campaign!
A small token of our gratitude.  If you give. . .
$10 – Two Day’s Pay – we will send you a thank you and our appreciation.
$25 – A Week’s Salary On the Line – 2 coasters with our campaign logo.
$50 – Five Workers’ Weekly Wage - USB Car Charger with our campaign logo.
$100 – A Month’s Salary of a Line Worker - A limited edition $5 - A Day Campaign - Birthplace of the Assembly Line T-Shirt.
$500 – The cost to buy a 1915 Model T - A limited edition $5 - A Day Campaign -Birthplace of the Assmebly Line T-Shirt and a Matted Photo of the building.
Disclaimer: Crowd Funding platforms require a minimum $10 contribution. 

·         All gifts will be sent upon completion of the campaign – anticipated in October 2013.  Token gifts are sent to addresses within the continental United States and no Post Office addresses.
For more information about us, visit our website www.woodwardavenue.org