Emergency manager: Phoenix Center should come down

The Oakland Press - 04/28/2012
Tearing down Pontiac's Phoenix Center might be in the city's best interest, said Emergency Manager Lou Schimmel.

Schimmel made the statement to The Oakland Press in an interview last week, saying it's one of the last tasks he will handle before leaving at the end of 2012. - read more....



What Pontiac looked like in 1968 prior to the first urban renewal phase

Downtown Pontiac's 1967 Failed Mall Plan

In 1966, Pontiac born real estate developer Alfred Taubman began his quest to build a large-scale shopping mall in the downtown district of the city. Several area businessmen including Davidson opposed the mall plan and organized an effort to successfully defeat it. Eventually, the Federal Government ordered the city to 'cease and desist' moving forward with the impractical mall plan. 


Below are excerpts from the Pontiac Press - Sept. 28 and Oct. 18, 1967

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Alfred Taubman acknowledges defeat of his downtown Pontiac, mall plan.

Pontiac Plan Urban Renewal Presentation - 1967

Davidson, Walter Reuther & Bruno Leon
VIP's viewing the Plan
Davidson presenting the Plan - 1967


Pontiac State Bank Building
















  • An Environmental Analysis of a Central Business Area: Pontiac, MI., 1966-79 Urban Renewal Plan (Known as the Phoenix Center)


    An Environmental Analysis of a Central Business Area - Pontiac Mi. ca. 1967



    Davidson critiquing a class project at the U. of D. - ca., 1966







    Davidson (center) at The Pontiac Plan Groundbreaking Committee Banquet held at the Pontiac Silverdome - 11/29/1979



    Bruno Kearns article - C. Don Davidson


    Article on Davidson written by Pontiac Press Sports Editor/Columnist Bruno Kearns - 1968