CITY NEWS: Demolition of Hazardous Structure at Owen Memorial Park a Precursor to Future Park Improvements

HILLSDALE, Mich. (1/9/23) — The demolition of a dilapidated, two-story house located within the City of Hillsdale's Owen Memorial Park began last week with the removal of asbestos siding.

The house at 280 Waterworks Ave., which came with the park property deeded to the City in 1960, has long been unoccupied and used as City storage space. In recent years the City sought funding to demolish it because the mold and mildew inside was making it a danger to continue to use for storage. Razing the structure is the only feasible option, as deed restrictions prevent the City from selling the house or using it for commercial purposes, and it has deteriorated past the point of rehabilitation.

In September 2021, Hillsdale's City Council approved an updated Baw Beese Park System Master Plan, and the demolition of the structure will serve as a precursor to future park improvements.

Once the demolition is completed, the City of Hillsdale's Department of Public Services will install a small prefabricated shed to cover the well equipment and electric controls at the site.

Park visitors are asked to stay away from the house while the demolition process is ongoing.

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About the City of Hillsdale's public parks

The City of Hillsdale maintains seven formal parks which contain a variety of recreational facilities. Waterworks Park, Rotary Park at Sandy Beach, and the Baw Beese Trail form an important component of the City's park system centered on Baw Beese Lake. The other parks are distributed throughout Hillsdale. For more information on Hillsdale's public parks, visit our Parks & Recreation page.