Downtown – Ferndale, Michigan
First incorporated in 1917, Ferndale’s early development as a streetcar suburb of Detroit resulted in Ferndale having a small downtown and traditional high density development patterns. The streetcar system, with its fond memories, served Ferndale from 1895 to 1947, and was the main mode of transportation to work and play for Ferndale families for several decades. The Oakland Railway Company connected Detroit with Ferndale, Royal Oak, and Birmingham reaching FErndale, and Royal Oak on February 6, 1895 and Birmingham on June 15, 1895. The Detroit United Railway (DUR) purchased the line in 1901 and operated it until April 25, 1931. The City of Royal Oak then purchased the track from the DUR through Ferndale up to the Catalpa Street in Royal Oak and leased the tracks back to the City of Detroit’s Department of Street Railways who operated streetcars until May 2, 1947.
The Ferndale Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has ground floor offices in a storefront building with enameled panels in two colors – cream and a dark burgundy.
A streetscape project has arranged the sidewalk in a square grid. Metal and wood benches, lamps, bike parking, and trash cans are all coordinated together.
An effort has also been made to pave and light the space between buildings to create a safe connection between parking areas to the rear of buildings and the buildings on 9 Mile Rd.
The parking lot behind buildings on 9 Mile Rd is screened with a brick wall. An effort is made to make the backs of buildings facing the parking lot more attractive.
Large scale buildings, while relatively scarce, do have a presence and provide a valuable function supporting downtown living. That is certainly the case with this brick building with stone detailing. A drip molding is over the Tudor arch central door. Stone quoins tied in with the brick define the corners, and also the edges of the central window on the third floor.
Overall Ferndale creates a very welcoming appearance, including through this name medallion on the sidewalk near one of the alleys. This creates a sense of arrival and also place attachment. When people see Ferndale they know that they have arrived at some place special.
Visit in November 2007
Professional Building, 22757 Woodward: Located at the southwest corner is the Professional Building, which replaced the Aston-Wallace Building during the widening of Woodward and is now located on the south end of the same block. Cunningham’s Drug Store opened at this corner in 1931, making Ferndale the only place in the U.S. that had a drugstore on all four corners at a main intersection.
The Badder Building, 22801 Woodward: At the northwest corner was the first two story brick commercial and office building in Ferndale, home to Leonard’s Drugs in the 1920’s and McMillan’s Drugs in the 1940’s. Two well-known businesses, Federal Department Store and Radio City encompassed the rest of the block. In the 1950’s, Federal’s extended to the corner after taking over the drug store location.
Ferndale Center Building, 22750 Woodward: At the southwest corner is the Ferndale Center Building. Originally named the C.H. Harrison Building it housed the newly incorporated Ferndale City Hall offices in the 1930s. For many years, this three story building was the tallest structure in the area.
Saint James Roman Catholic Church has a prominent presence on Woodward Avenue in Ferndale.
Woodward Avenue Brewing or the WAB is another popular attraction on Woodward Ave helping to anchor a dining and entertainment district.
Como’s Restaurant is another popular destination at the corner of Woodward and 9 Mile Rd.
The Ferndale Public Library is awaiting an expansion in these photos.
Ferndale City Hall is a modern building with a loggia with pillars supporting a flat roof across the front and sides.
A few blocks away a former school building is being reconfigured and expanded upon for use as lawyer offices.
Magic Bag theater is a popular live music venue.
the fly trap promotes itself as “a finer diner.”
Egyptian Revival details help this building on 9 Mile Road stand out, including the battered door surround with the wing and disk design over the main entrance.
The modern story of Ferndale cannot be understood or told without understanding the growing influence of LGBTQ people. Affirmations is a downtown building that speaks to the organizational strength of this group and their advocates.
Ferndale has many one story commercial buildings. This one stands out with the trefoil detail in the frieze and with a multi-colored tile roof. The uncoordinated awnings and discontinuity between some storefronts material and the historic fabric above detracts from the appearance of this historic building. Transom windows would likely have drawn light further into the building though most of these are now covered up.
House of chants is in a one-story brick commercial building with unique arcaded cornice.
This enameled panel building has Art Deco tile details on the vertical ends. Java Hutt is a popular third place in downtown Ferndale.
Other more contemporary buildings refer back to the simple stylized Art Deco detailing in the geometrical motif above the entrance sign.
Businesses like Just4Us further reinforce the LGBTQ identity of Ferndale.
While the signage is over the top, Natural Food Patch leaves no doubt what this store is about. Window space and lighting is not used effectively to draw people in. Instead it is viewed primarily as a surface to post print advertising or for large blank wall fixtures that contribute little to street life.
A view of one of the mid-block alleys connecting the parking lot with 9 Mile Road.
This apartment building with arcaded cornice on the upper floor, and distinctive arched door on the ground floor stands out thanks to this architectural detailing.
Visit in January 2012
Street paving creates contrasting color and texture to distinguish pedestrian areas from vehicular.
Woodward Ave and 9 Mile Road looking westward. This is the busiest intersection in Ferndale where two major streets meet. Here is where the Crow’s Nest served as an early traffic signal at this intersection of Nine Mile and Woodward Avenue. The structure was created to hold policemen high above heavy traffic to direct traffic in a safe environment. The Crow’s Nest was removed in 1928 during the widening of Woodward and the advent of the electric traffic signal. A sculpture was later placed in its place to recognize the historical significance of the Crow’s Nest to Woodward Ave and Ferndale.
A once vacant building at Woodward and 9 Mile became home to the Rust Belt Market. Inside different vendors are given space to sell their merchandise.
Along 9 Mile Road nearly every storefront was occupied.
Fantastic Ferndale is a mural completed August 11, 2008. The mural depicts the diversity and creativity found in the City of Ferndale. Artist Daniel Cascardo uses birds, fish, vibrant colors, and fantastic characters to take the viewer to a place open to the many possibilities of the imagination.
Finally, the public library benefited from an expansion with a sleek brick and glass addition tot he original modern brick building.