Final phase of demolition for Detroit's Brewster-Douglass towers begins

Starts at 2 p.m.

The once-famous Detroit projects are coming down after years of being abandoned.

DETROIT – The final phase of demolition of the historic Brewster-Douglass towers will begin today.

Built in 1935, the housing project was the nation's first federally-funded housing development for African Americans. 

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The towers served as home to several famous figures such as Motown legends Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross, and actress Lily Tomlin. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded 6.5 million in emergency capital funds to the Detroit housing commission for the demolition. 

The 15-story towers, located in Brush Park off I-75 near the Eastern market, have been vacant since 2008.

They have since become a symbol of blight and crime. 

The Brewster-Wheeler Recreation Center will not be included in the demolition. 

Demolition will begin today at 2pm. Â