What could possibly make the scrapping of a beautiful, historic building any worse? The endangerment of some undoubtedly cute falcon chicks.The Whittier Hotel—a riverfront beauty with some excellent terracotta detailing—is deteriorating rapidly. More rapidly than an abandoned building needs to, at least, as the building has been left largely unsecured. That's becoming a problem for a family of Peregrine Falcons living on the building's roof.
Peregrine Falcons have been nesting on the Whittier's roof since 1987, as the Whittier's height mimics their natural nesting sites on cliff ledges. According to Motor City Muckraker, the unsecured Whittier is now open to scrappers and trespassers, disturbing the birds on the roof. The chick's parents are fierce (Mama falcon has been diving at nearby humans) but the DNR is concerned and monitoring the situation.
Just a few years ago, the Whittier appeared destined for a $66M luxury condo conversion, after which it was to be rebranded as Whittier Park. While the Whittier Park website is still up, Motor City Muckraker says the ownership has "all but given up" on the buildling's security. According to Why Don't We Own This, building owner Phoenix Communities is $23K behind on their property taxes.
· Peregrine falcons, chicks in danger atop vacant building [MCM]
· Historic Whittier crumbles as owner neglects high-rise [MCM]
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