MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Demolition began on the Foster-Davis Land Preserve on November 20. There are four structures on the property, two barns and two houses, but only the houses are coming down. According to the Land Preservation Ordinance in Meridian Township, if a building is not being used for land preservation purposes, it has to be demolished. The barns are being utilized for township storage.

"Although it's always hard to see structures come down when they have been there for 100 years, it will be a nice replacement. It will be a nice peaceful area for the residents to enjoy," said the parks and land management coordinator, Jane Greenway.

The next step, after the houses are demolished, is to fill in the area with sand, top soil and grass seed. It will be turned into a sitting area to look out at the savanna. While only the brick house has been knocked down, the white farm house will be torn down the following week. The township tried to keep the houses, but it would have cost almost 30,000 to bring them up to code.