Demolition of Tiger Stadium delayed

Oct 7, 2008 - 6:56 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- One of Detroit's landmarks has received a reprieve.

The Detroit City Council voted Tuesday to delay full demolition of Tiger Stadium, the home of the Detroit Tigers from 1912 to 1999.

The ballpark was declared a state of Michigan historic site in 1975 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989.

However, the site has been in a state of disrepair and a portion of the stadium was demolished earlier this year. The Tigers have played at Comerica Park since 2000.

Preservationists have fought against full demolition of Tiger Stadium, asking for an extension until Friday. The City Council voted 5-3 against demolition and scheduled a re-vote on October 14.

Ernie Harwell, a Tigers' broadcaster for more than four decades before retiring in 2003, has been among those arguing against demolition.

The preservationists have proposed keeping a dugout-to-dugout portion of the stadium - the oldest part of the ballpark- and turning it into a welcome center for the neighborhood of Corktown. They also want the playing field preserved.

"We still have history that will be completely lost if it's completely demolished," Councilwoman Martha Reeves told the Detroit Free Press.

The preservationists have promised to turn over more than $200,000 to help defray the costs the city incurred by delaying the demolition.