I think it's a tradition to begin the year with an extensive account of one blasted, destroyed, hopeless street littered with fine old buildings left to die. And so here we are, back in the Detroit metropolitan area. Where to begin? It doesn't really matter. Let's start with the marvelous remnants of 70s design.

Almost an optical illusion with those things. They look like hallways.

Ah, we’re going to be doing Decline today. Got it.

Looks as if they ripped out the bays, and didn’t particularly trouble themselves with the aesthetic aftermath.

I spoke too soon

I really spoke too soon.

I am absolutely fascinated with this. What did it look like when it was new?

Better than this, I guarantee you. And what’s the explanation for the circle?

The second floor looks like a cotton-ball storage facility. Note the stone mosaic in between the second and third floors, and the framing of the windows for no reason but aesthetics. Someone took some care when they designed this one.

Decline like this is hard to reverse.

This once was a proud, civilized, and elegant location.

If I had to guess, I’d say the facade and stone around the windows came later - perhaps even ten, 15 years after construction.

The rehab looks worse on the front. Just commit! Do the whole thing! Don't leave a sliver of its old style.

This is turning out to be quite depressing, isn’t it.

Another simple facade, maybe late 40s or 60s, with a Hee-Haw wood ruination.

Then nothing.

It has the look of a bank branch.

Its relative preservation is an indication of the level of vitality around here. Retail's gone, but the lawyers have an embassy.

Happy Sixties script, with a bouncy cheer.

The question is whether the street died of natural causes, or was murdered.

Let’s hire someone to make murals to revitalize the neighborhood! Make it vibrant.

How long has the theater been dark?

A long time. 2009:

Let’s back out again . . .

No roof.

Well, at least the locals will respect the art of the muralist, because -

Ah - I’m looking at old Streetview visits. Let’s switch to the latest view . . .

The last identifying aspect has been removed. Ciinematreasures:

The Highland Park opened in 1915, designed by B.C. Wetzell, who also designed several other Detroit-area theaters, like the DeLuxe and Arcade. It could seat 1,600 and may have originally been a vaudeville house before switching to movies sometime later.

In 1967, it was renamed the Paris Theatre, and began screening adult fare. Three years later, it received another new name, the Hiland Art Theatre. Wayne County prosecutors fought to have the Hiland shut down during the 1980’s, claiming it was being used as a front for prostitution.

This is just the start. We'll be up and down this street all month.