District Detroit Development Plans Summary

Todays Free Press has an excellent summary detailing plans by District Detroit's plans by reporter JC Reindl. Of course a lot of this is contingent on tax abatements and more and the Iltich-Ross team clearly have put their hats out.

Nonetheless this would, if carried out, be a very positive development, particularly as it includes renovation of four existing and beautiful abandoned ruins, most dramatically the long-derelict former Fort Wayne/American Hotel. The following is a summary of the ten new and old properties involved.

6 new buildings in the buildout:

• 2250 Woodward: A 20-story building to go next to Comerica Park and contain 287 apartments [[20% set aside as “affordable”), 27,000-square feet of ground-floor retail space and a new underground parking garage with 206 spaces. Development cost: 217 million.
• 2205 Cass: An 18-story residential building with 261 apartments [[20% affordable) and 8,750 square-feet of retail space that would be part of the Detroit Center for Innovation campus. Development cost: $148 million.
• 2200 Woodward: A newly constructed 17-story office building with ground-floor retail next to Comerica Park, plus a new underground parking garage with 298 spaces. [[It would share the same parking garage 2250 Woodward). Development cost: $321 million.
• 2305 Woodward or 2300 Cass: Two locations under consideration for an all-new, 22-story office building with ground-floor retail. Development cost: $283 million.
• 2300 Woodward: A new five-story office building with ground-floor retail. Development cost: $82 million.
• Hotel next to Little Caesars Arena: A newly constructed 14-story, 290-room hotel next to Little Caesars Arena at 2455 Woodward. Although the building was originally announced last June as an Equinox Hotel, the actual brand of hotel has yet to be determined. Development cost: $192 million.

4 rehabs in the buildout:

• 408 Temple St.: The long-empty Fort Wayne/American hotel near the Masonic Temple would be redeveloped as an 11-story apartment complex with ground-floor retail. There would be 131 apartments, with 20% affordable. Development cost: $69 million.
• 2210 Park Ave.: Redevelopment of the old 10-story Detroit Life Building into 16 apartments with ground-floor retail. Development cost: $24 million
• 2115 Cass: Adaptive reuse of the former Moose Lodge building into a four-story business incubator as part of the Detroit Center for Innovation campus. Development cost: $55 million
• Fox Hotel: Adaptive reuse of the 10-story Fox Theatre office building at 2211 Woodward to become a 177-room Fox Hotel. The project will not alter the Fox Theatre. Development cost: $123 million.

Attachment 42481

From the same article, here is what District Detroit wants under its Christmas tree.

• $616 million in Transformational Brownfield reimbursements of state-level taxes over 35 years
• $133 million in city tax breaks. Those tax revenues would otherwise be captured by the Downtown Development Authority, or DDA.
• $25 million cash reimbursement to the developers from the DDA for the cost of “infrastructure improvements” for the buildout, specifically road and utility upgrades and creating public spaces. This money does not need to be paid back.
• $24 million loan from the DDA to be repaid with 1% interest over 34 years to support the construction of deeply affordable housing, so that 20% of the planned 695 apartments would be set aside at below-market “affordable” rates for those whose incomes are no higher than 50% of the area median income, about $31,000 per year for an individual and $45,000 for a family of four.

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Originally Posted by Lowell

From the same article, here is what District Detroit wants under its Christmas tree.

• $616 million in Transformational Brownfield reimbursements of state-level taxes over 35 years
• $133 million in city tax breaks. Those tax revenues would otherwise be captured by the Downtown Development Authority, or DDA.
• $25 million cash reimbursement to the developers from the DDA for the cost of “infrastructure improvements” for the buildout, specifically road and utility upgrades and creating public spaces. This money does not need to be paid back.
• $24 million loan from the DDA to be repaid with 1% interest over 34 years to support the construction of deeply affordable housing, so that 20% of the planned 695 apartments would be set aside at below-market “affordable” rates for those whose incomes are no higher than 50% of the area median income, about $31,000 per year for an individual and $45,000 for a family of four.

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So.... $182 MILLION DOLLARS from city of Detroit taxpayers and in return they get 139 affordable apartments and some infrastructure improvements. Do I have that right?

I agree with others who have said this is much more likely given Ross' involvement but just how many times have they said they were doing the Detroit Life Building?

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Originally Posted by 401don

I agree with others who have said this is much more likely given Ross' involvement but just how many times have they said they were doing the Detroit Life Building?

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Lucy Van Pelt announces impending restoration of the Detroit Life Building….

Charlie Brown is excited about the news.

I'm not sure why we keep starting a new thread on this stuff, but as for the viability of it, Related makes the odds that anything happens much greater. At the first CBO meeting, there were a half dozen or so employees of Related that flew in from NY, which I don't think they would just for the heck of it.

I've seen a few trucks taking soil samples out from of Comerica, so it seems like they are doing prep work already there.

Double edged sword,while it helps building the city,it also puts the burden on the taxpayers for the next 30 years,look at what is proposed,and what has been completed,all of those properties and the future profits are being removed from the tax base,so they only way for the city to collect revenue will be by in return taxes on the all ready tax stressed public.

There has to be a happy medium in there somewhere some how,so along with the expansion and rebuilding there remains the ability to lower the taxes on the existing residents.

Its removing all of the prime properties from the tax rolls.

Unless the goal is to encourage 10s of thousands more residents to move there in order to offset.

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Originally Posted by 401don

I agree with others who have said this is much more likely given Ross' involvement but just how many times have they said they were doing the Detroit Life Building?

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The Detroit Life Building has been a work in progress, off and on, for 20 years. It is beyond being a joke and embarrassment. Ditto for the metal truss covered Fine Arts Building facade on W. Grand Circus Park and the Blenheim Apartments on Park Ave. behind the new Little Caesars HQ, which has been shuttered for going on 1/3 of a century. :eek:

Not surprising blowback to District Detroit's passing their hat...


Board hears comments, will vote Wednesday on incentive
JC Reindl
Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY NETWORK


Development incentives for the proposed $1.5 billion District Detroit buildout came under heavy criticism Monday night during the first public hearing for a Transformational Brownfield valued at $616 million over 35 years. For instance...

“We shouldn't be giving Olympia any money because five to six years ago you came to us, promising a thriving neighborhood already, and you failed to deliver on those promises,” said Detroit resident Landis Spencer.


“The Ilitches have proven time and time again, especially from the last time the city gave them money, that they will not keep to their promises and only build to help their own self interests,” he said, “like when they built Little Caesars Arena and left all buildings surrounding it completely unused and barren.”

Well, now that Miggie is retiring, the Illitches will have some money of their own to put toward some of these developments. All jokes aside, why build new office buildings when the climate is demonstrating that office workers are staying home? And did the company that built an office next to the Mike Illitch School of Business ever move in?

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Originally Posted by royce

Well, now that Miggie is retiring, the Illitches will have some money of their own to put toward some of these developments. All jokes aside, why build new office buildings when the climate is demonstrating that office workers are staying home? And did the company that built an office next to the Mike Illitch School of Business ever move in?

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RTO is back with a vengeance. As soon as the worker shortage shows a hint of subsiding employers will put screws to the WFH holdouts. It's happening nationally. My national employer went from 1-2 in office to 2-3. Only a matter of time before we'll be required to be back in office 4 days/wk min.

First came the return-to-office policies. Now comes the discipline: How companies are punishing work-from-home holdouts

^ I agree... anyone who thinks that they can 100% work from home because they are too valuable of an asset to be let go, is deluding themselves. When it comes to downsizing... many times the "out of sight" employees are the first to be let go.

The big problem is these proposed District Detroit projects is will the Illitches fulfill on their promises?

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Originally Posted by Danny

The big problem is these proposed District Detroit projects is will the Illitches fulfill on their promises?

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Well, Chris said the Tigers rebuild was over last year and they've never let us down before so you have nothing to worry about.:p

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Originally Posted by Gistok

^ I agree... anyone who thinks that they can 100% work from home because they are too valuable of an asset to be let go, is deluding themselves. When it comes to downsizing... many times the "out of sight" employees are the first to be let go.

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It's a rare employee who is so valuable that there's nothing they could do that could cost them their job, but there are many people who are too valuable to be let go for insisting on working remotely. Hopefully they know who they are.

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Originally Posted by mwilbert

It's a rare employee who is so valuable that there's nothing they could do that could cost them their job, but there are many people who are too valuable to be let go for insisting on working remotely. Hopefully they know who they are.

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Oh I agree... there are those gifted ones who a company would want to definitely keep. But I bet that there are more folks out there who think they are among that group... than actually are.

An interesting article about remote jobs...

Get a remote job while you still can: More and more companies are calling workers back to the office — or outsourcing to cheaper workers overseas [[msn.com)

Getting back on track... one of the things about District Detroit 2.0 is that there is no discussion about the many boarded up and decaying old buildings in the plans. They talk about a lot of new builds... but what about the Blenheim Apartments behind Little Caesar's new HQ? Or how about the Henry Street apartment row of buildings... that were originally destined for demolition, but was denied by the city? Or of course the Fine Arts facade on GCP west that has been held up by steel girders for 14 years? Or all the smallish apartment buildings around the Masonic Temple.

All that is being developed as part of District Detroit 2.0 is the Detroit Life Building on Park Ave., a building that has been a work in progress for 20 years!! And the Royal Order of the Moose lodge building on Cass is finally getting repurposed.

Also, should the conversion of the Fox Theatre Building into a hotel be considered for part of the "public monies" that is being asked for towards the district? It doesn't seem that it should be included, since it really is not improving the area so much as a great condition building finding a new use. :confused:

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Originally Posted by Gistok

Getting back on track... one of the things about District Detroit 2.0 is that there is no discussion about the many boarded up and decaying old buildings in the plans. They talk about a lot of new builds... but what about the Blenheim Apartments behind Little Caesar's new HQ? Or how about the Henry Street apartment row of buildings... that were originally destined for demolition, but was denied by the city? Or of course the Fine Arts facade on GCP west that has been held up by steel girders for 14 years? Or all the smallish apartment buildings around the Masonic Temple.

All that is being developed as part of District Detroit 2.0 is the Detroit Life Building on Park Ave., a building that has been a work in progress for 20 years!! And the Royal Order of the Moose lodge building on Cass is finally getting repurposed.

Also, should the conversion of the Fox Theatre Building into a hotel be considered for part of the "public monies" that is being asked for towards the district? It doesn't seem that it should be included, since it really is not improving the area so much as a great condition building finding a new use. :confused:

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Henry Street is included and the only thing they could use to tout their dedication to historic preservation. I brought up the issue of their other decaying buildings in the first public meeting over zoom and they sidestepped the question entirely.

Including the Fox is a joke. Even the occupied buildings they own need to be propped up by the taxpayers.

Shocker! Construction start delayed!

https://www.freep.com/story/money/bu...e/70557063007/

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Originally Posted by hybridy

So.... $182 MILLION DOLLARS from city of Detroit taxpayers and in return they get 139 affordable apartments and some infrastructure improvements. Do I have that right?

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Take those taxpayers dollars and Hite more police and fire personnel

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Originally Posted by stasu1213

Take those taxpayers dollars and Hire more police and fire personnel

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It's not that kind of tax money. I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong [never been a problem before :)] but isn't the money "future property tax capture", and Michigan Strategic Fund [state land gas leases, etc.]? :confused:

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Originally Posted by Gistok

It's not that kind of tax money. I'm sure that someone will correct me if I'm wrong [never been a problem before :)] but isn't the money "future property tax capture", and Michigan Strategic Fund [state land gas leases, etc.]? :confused:

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Sense it has never been a problem before :p

I want to live in a world where when you pull $100 out of your pocket it magically appears to replenish the pot.

It does not matter how creative you get in bookkeeping,at the end of the day the money has to come from somewhere,it does not just magically appear,that somewhere is someone and that someone is the taxpayers.

At any rate it has been approved although light on details of what happens if it does not come to fruition,because the argument of there is a small pot and if it is not used correctly and timely everybody suffers.

Michigan’s economic development board on Tuesday approved a nearly $615 million transformational brownfield plan for the $1.5 billion District Detroit development by Olympia Development and The Related Cos.The Michigan Strategic Fund board approved the plan that includes the following state and local property tax captures: the local and school property tax capture of $213 million, with state tax capture limited to $167 million; a maximum of $11.4 million in construction period tax capture revenues; a maximum of $38.1 million in construction period sales and use tax exemptions and a maximum of $352.3 million in income tax capture revenues and withholding tax capture revenues post-construction.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/bu...-construction.

I think the bigger concern is not with the amount but what guarantees and protections the taxpayers have in this investment?

Because that is what you are doing,investing in your future,it is your money and you do have a right to know what performance guarantees you have and the ramifications of non performance.

If you are just giving out free money on hopes and dreams willy nilly,I am packing my trunk and coming up their to get me some.

Remember the history and do not repeat it.

Thats like telling somebody that you are giving them a free bridge,then after they agree to it coming back with - about that $3.5 billion we lent you to cover your half.

Think of the interest rate alone,I bet nobody knows what rate of interest you are paying or the terms or if they have the ability to call the entire note if you miss a payment and what happens if you do not happen to have $3.5 billion in change laying on the coffee table when they do.

The point is do not get caught up in the total figure,it’s the details that can trip you up,without some form of protection,you are just sitting ducks.

As taxpayers every financial agreement you enter into you have to have some kind of guarantee,you or I cannot just walk into a bank or buy a house without providing the lender some type of collateral or way of them to protect their interests.

This is hundreds of millions even billions of your money that is being played with.You have a right to expectations.

The city,state and county has a responsibility to be accountable to the taxpayers when it comes to non performance,there is hesitation based on past history and rightly so because it seems to be a common and re-occurring theme.

I would say if it repeats itself with this,it may be time to get mad and start firing those who say they are looking out for your best interests,people seem to forget,these people work for you,not the other way around.

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Originally Posted by Burnsie

Shocker! Construction start delayed!

https://www.freep.com/story/money/bu...e/70557063007/

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See what I mean folks! The 'Illeetches' are not fulfilling on their promises. The entertainment performers not real estate developers.

Olympia Development President Keith Bradford sez...

'There is no confirmed date for when groundbreaking for the initial building will happen, but they are working on it. He did not give specific reasons for the holdup.'

It means we need more investors to full up their building projects before we can start constructing.

A bunch of knuckleheads!

Cutting the construction ribbon doesn't means that the construction company is going to start building.

Dan Gilbert can take charge of the District Detroit Project much better than Chris Illitch.

So what it means is the funds are allocated and put on hold,not made available for other projects that could have been started and completed in that time frame,if it goes 2-3-4-5 years it becomes pale in comparison the amount of money the taxpayers lose in that time frame due to other projects that will not come to fruition.

Many predicted it and now it has become a reality.

The question now is when are people going to join forces and stop things like this from happening.

Forget about emotions,hopes,dreams and prayers,it’s business and in business results count and everything else is bull **** .

Demand hard and fast timelines or a release of the funds otherwise you are just throttling your own advancement.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

Getting back on track... one of the things about District Detroit 2.0 is that there is no discussion about the many boarded up and decaying old buildings in the plans. They talk about a lot of new builds... but what about the Blenheim Apartments behind Little Caesar's new HQ? Or how about the Henry Street apartment row of buildings... that were originally destined for demolition, but was denied by the city? Or of course the Fine Arts facade on GCP west that has been held up by steel girders for 14 years? Or all the smallish apartment buildings around the Masonic Temple.

All that is being developed as part of District Detroit 2.0 is the Detroit Life Building on Park Ave., a building that has been a work in progress for 20 years!! And the Royal Order of the Moose lodge building on Cass is finally getting repurposed.

Also, should the conversion of the Fox Theatre Building into a hotel be considered for part of the "public monies" that is being asked for towards the district? It doesn't seem that it should be included, since it really is not improving the area so much as a great condition building finding a new use. :confused:

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The 'Illeetches' are not as worse as Dennis Kelifinos. But they are having a hard time rehabbing most Downtown ' Gilberttown' Detroit buildings. It last after 30 years of waiting and 50 years of being ' Parthenon-like ruins' The United Artist Building is being turned to fancy non-affordable apts. Along with the Hotel Eddystone Building that the courts forced them to rehabbed to else! But the 'Illeetches' has a long way to go if they want to create a better skyline and entertainment hub. As for right now Olympia 'Pizza Pizza' Development needs to be in the real estate business venture like Dan Gilbert.

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Originally Posted by Danny

The 'Illeetches' are not as worse as Dennis Kelifinos. But they are having a hard time rehabbing most Downtown ' Gilberttown' Detroit buildings. It last after 30 years of waiting and 50 years of being ' Parthenon-like ruins' The United Artist Building is being turned to fancy non-affordable apts. Along with the Hotel Eddystone Building that the courts forced them to rehabbed to else! But the 'Illeetches' has a long way to go if they want to create a better skyline and entertainment hub. As for right now Olympia 'Pizza Pizza' Development needs to be in the real estate business venture like Dan Gilbert.

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Before Gilbert almost single handedly revitalized downtown Detroit there was Kelifinos whom revitalized buildings were botched jobs. He purchased historical buildings, hired inexperienced contractors or just anyone off corners to develop these buildings, then filled them with pop up shops. The development property that he owned next to the Dequindre Cut was a disaster with workers tossing debris including glass unto the Dequindre Cut itself.

The renovation of the United Artists Building was recently mentioned. How is that progressing? I haven’t seen any updates lately but I know it was supposed to be ready for occupancy in “late 2023.”

Is it on track for that?

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Originally Posted by DetroiterOnTheWestCoast

The renovation of the United Artists Building was recently mentioned. How is that progressing? I haven’t seen any updates lately but I know it was supposed to be ready for occupancy in “late 2023.”

Is it on track for that?

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It was supposed to be ready for occupancy in 2012. Hah

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Originally Posted by DetroiterOnTheWestCoast

The renovation of the United Artists Building was recently mentioned. How is that progressing? I haven’t seen any updates lately but I know it was supposed to be ready for occupancy in “late 2023.”

Is it on track for that?

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This is an update from this morning. Have huge doubt that this will be done by end of 2023.

Attachment 42775

Did they already tear down the theater?

Stromberg2

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Originally Posted by ShadowSoarer

This is an update from this morning. Have huge doubt that this will be done by end of 2023.

Attachment 42775

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The theatre was razed earlier this year.

The first 5 floors of the tower had fancy stone and terra cotta work that was removed back in the 1960s. Here was the United Artists Theatre's last hurrah... the 1959 movie world premier of Otto Preminger's ANATOMY OF A MURDER, and we get a quick glimpse of one of the stone arches of the facade, so the old facade lasted past 1959 when this premier was shown...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_gt_pz9sNY

Also of interest in this video is that they show a clip of the outer lobby of the United Artists Theatre, the only surviving part of the theatre. Nearby the PAO RESTAURANT in the Briggs Houze [former Oriental Theatre lobby] on West Adams... is similar to what is planned [in the future] for the surviving UA outer lobby... conversion into a restaurant, or similar reuse.

Also in this film clip, we see the David Whitney Building with scaffolding on it, because in 1959 it was stripped of ornamentation, only to be re-added a few years ago.

Here is a view of the first 5 floors of the UA Building when it still had its' neoclassic veneer... which will not be re-added.

The outer lobby of the former Detroit United Artists Theatre survived the elements, since it was within the office building, and was not gutted. However, some of the plasterwork was damaged by scavengers in the past.

This part of the building will be closed off initially, until a reuse has been determined, hopefully as a restaurant.

https://img.newspapers.com/img/thumb...0.jpg?cs=86400
Poster design by Saul Bass. Bass, famed graphic artist, did the film titles and posters for Otto Preminger and Alfred Hitchcock, most notably. Also, not to be forgotten, the main titles and posters for "Spartacus," with its famed "Roman coin" motif. Check out Saul Bass, it will be well worth your time. Lest we forget.

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Originally Posted by Vitalis

https://img.newspapers.com/img/thumb...0.jpg?cs=86400
Poster design by Saul Bass. Bass, famed graphic artist, did the film titles and posters for Otto Preminger and Alfred Hitchcock, most notably. Also, not to be forgotten, the main titles and posters for "Spartacus," with its famed "Roman coin" motif. Check out Saul Bass, it will be well worth your time. Lest we forget.

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Good point!

Bass did a lot of good work, much like Milton Glaser did in NYC.

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Originally Posted by Vitalis

https://img.newspapers.com/img/thumb...0.jpg?cs=86400
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A memorable graphic, after all these years.

I just came across a few images of the surviving lobby of the United Artists former theatre, images from Detroiturbex.com website.

Although the auditorium and Rotunda Foyer have been razed due to being in such poor condition, the lobby and outer storm lobby of the theatre survive, because they were protected from the elements due to being within the office building.

From what we were told when the "150 Bagley" apartments plan was implemented, the theatre would be torn down, but the lobby space would be saved for future use.

Here are some images of the lobby space as they existed before the theatre was torn down.

First image is the UA Lobby from the entrance facing the former Rotunda Lobby [which was in horrible condition]. This space has 3 Art Deco style Indian Maiden busts on either side. These were also found on the theatre walls. Of the 6, only 1 is totally intact.

Also on either side of the lobby are 4 large mirrors with canopies above them that matched the procenium arch above the former theatre stage.

The good thing about this space is that most of the plasterwork on 3 of the 4 walls is intact... and restoration specialists could easily recreate missing plasterwork with molds made of surviving ornamental plasterwork. Conrad Schmidt Studios is a national company that does this kind of restoration work.

This space is now sealed off, but it would make for a fantastic restaurant at some point in the future.

Also, there is another space between the former theatre entrance and the Lobby. That is the Storm or Outer Lobby. This is a smaller space, and has mirrors on one side, and actual windows on the other side that look into the Lobby. This space also has 8 ornate fan vaults that are smaller, but identical to the 6 fan vaults that once graced the side walls and ceiling of the theatre auditorium.

I had never seen this space before, but between the Outer Lobby, and the Lobby, all of the major decorative features of the former theatre survive, but on a smaller scale. Very nice. This would really make for a very elegant and fancy restaurant space at some point in the future.

Imagine what a first impression this would make as an ornate lobby to a restaurant... :)

I wonder how aware the Ilitch's are of their reputation in this town. Are they acutely aware that those who know have such contempt for them and their constant grifting? Do they knowingly put out lie after lie about "The District", or are they really just totally incompetent?

I'd hoped that Ross getting involved would change the game, but it looks like same old, same old, from Detroit's largest parking lot owner and slumlord.

https://www.freep.com/story/money/bu...e/72949461007/

The delay in office construction makes sense. The delay in residential and hotel construction does not.

I think it's beyond obvious that Olympia has no intention of completing even a fraction of these projects. What happened to the Alhambra, or the Arena Lofts next to LCA? They're not included in the latest plans. Why is the LCA hotel delayed when there's clear demand for downtown hotel rooms?

City Council looks like clowns for believing a second set of promises here.

Well, as long as people keep falling all over themselves in appreciation for them renovating the Fox Theatre 36 YEARS AGO, nothing will change.

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Originally Posted by K-slice

I wonder how aware the Ilitch's are of their reputation in this town. Are they acutely aware that those who know have such contempt for them and their constant grifting? Do they knowingly put out lie after lie about "The District", or are they really just totally incompetent?

I'd hoped that Ross getting involved would change the game, but it looks like same old, same old, from Detroit's largest parking lot owner and slumlord.

https://www.freep.com/story/money/bu...e/72949461007/

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Oh, they definitely know. It's one of the reasons they hide Chris Ilitch from reporters, to limit the PR damage.

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Originally Posted by gratiotfaced

The delay in office construction makes sense. The delay in residential and hotel construction does not.

I think it's beyond obvious that Olympia has no intention of completing even a fraction of these projects. What happened to the Alhambra, or the Arena Lofts next to LCA? They're not included in the latest plans. Why is the LCA hotel delayed when there's clear demand for downtown hotel rooms?

City Council looks like clowns for believing a second set of promises here.

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TO be fair, the newest revision of this plan moved up a residential tower and one of the hotels to be first in line. Putting office space on the back burner makes sense. The timeline, however, does not. Maybe they are trying to line up the hotel and residential with the next time the Pistons make the playoffs............

I wonder how negotiations are going between the Ilitches and the 2 Wayne County Stadium Authority owned parcels right across from the Fox Theatre? With Ilitch charging $9.6 million for a 1.2 acre parcel for the UMCI parking structure over near Grand River... I bet the county is playing hardball with the Ilitches for the sale price on the 2 Woodward fronting parcels. The Ilitches have likely had free use of those 2 parcels as a parking revenue stream for decades... and now probably want to lowball their value to buy them from the county. It will be interesting to hear how much the Ilitches will have to pay for them? :confused:

They are now bumping up the UMCI apartment building to be first in the pipeline with an early 2025 start. Hilariously they lose the benefit package if they don't put shovels in the ground before March 2025 so much like the groundbreaking of the UMCI, they will have a big ceremony then move around a little dirt to comply with deadlines.

Prior to the incompetence of not working out a deal for the Woodward lots last year the apartment building they are "bumping up" was supposed to start in 2024, so they are even kicking that can down the road a bit.

Honestly it isn't surprising given this organization and I think it goes to show you that there is only so much Related can do when they have and Ilitch weight tied to their legs.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

I wonder how negotiations are going between the Ilitches and the 2 Wayne County Stadium Authority owned parcels right across from the Fox Theatre? With Ilitch charging $9.6 million for a 1.2 acre parcel for the UMCI parking structure over near Grand River... I bet the county is playing hardball with the Ilitches for the sale price on the 2 Woodward fronting parcels. The Ilitches have likely had free use of those 2 parcels as a parking revenue stream for decades... and now probably want to lowball their value to buy them from the county. It will be interesting to hear how much the Ilitches will have to pay for them? :confused:

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I'm also sure in the initial Comerica Park plans Ilitch said we need the Gem theater moved for surface parking for the next 25 years.:confused:

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Originally Posted by 401don

I'm also sure in the initial Comerica Park plans Ilitch said we need the Gem theater moved for surface parking for the next 25 years.:confused:

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Oh I agree... except the Ilitches wanted it demolished and out of the way. It was a coordination between Chuck Forbes and DEGC head C. Beth Duncombe [Mayor Archer's sister-in-law] that came up with the plan to relocate the Gem/Century to a city owned parcel across from Music Hall [ditto for the Elwood Bar].

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Originally Posted by sirrealone

Well, as long as people keep falling all over themselves in appreciation for them renovating the Fox Theatre 36 YEARS AGO, nothing will change.

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And for being wealthy. Lately there seems to be an awful lot of love and ‘they can do no wrong’ worship for the rich these days. Even more so for the wealthy in the lucky sperm club. I don’t get it, what’s so admirable about being born rich and treating people like crap because of it? Odd behavior from folks in a country that went to great lengths to Kick royalty out and back across the Atlantic.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/educat...detroit-center

Looks like the final design has been approved. Good to see there is traction on this.

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Originally Posted by mikeg19

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/educat...detroit-center

Looks like the final design has been approved. Good to see there is traction on this.

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Yes... but unfortunately it has all the charm of a 1950s Gas Station road sign... :eek:

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Originally Posted by Gistok

Yes... but unfortunately it has all the charm of a 1950s Gas Station road sign... :eek:

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Did anyone else notice the background skyline in the second rendering? If only :p

Also, the planned mixed-use building on the site of Hockeytown Cafe is included as a full rendering whereas the planned residential building on the same block at the UMIC is shown in scale only. And the planned office building and residential building on the parking lots in front of Comerica Park are not included either. I am not shocked by any of this, just wanted to share my observations out of grief and annoyance.

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Originally Posted by rbdetsport

Did anyone else notice the background skyline in the second rendering? If only :p

Also, the planned mixed-use building on the site of Hockeytown Cafe is included as a full rendering whereas the planned residential building on the same block at the UMIC is shown in scale only. And the planned office building and residential building on the parking lots in front of Comerica Park are not included either. I am not shocked by any of this, just wanted to share my observations out of grief and annoyance.

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Clearly a rendering of District Detroit in 3024 haha.

I think what you may be seeing is the buildings that are being designed specifically by KPF. Stylistically the office building on Woodward, the arena hotel and the UMIC all fit the firms portfolio. I think the apartment buildings and the design of the office in front of Comerica were a notch or two down from the quality they usually produce.

I don't have access to Crain's to see the entire design and layout, but from the image that they first show, is that an image of the building from across Grand River and the DTE property?

Does anyone know the current timeframe for the incubator space and apartment building to begin construction? Nice to see this project finaaaaaaaaally get off the ground.

FYI - sounds like the HFH/MSU med building in New Center is tracking for a mid-June groundbreaking...

KPF finally has a page for this on their projects tab. I looked yesterday AM and I didn't see one. They've got full HD renderings and a short cinematic video with more angles:

https://www.kpf.com/project/universi...for-innovation

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Originally Posted by gratiotfaced

KPF finally has a page for this on their projects tab. I looked yesterday AM and I didn't see one. They've got full HD renderings and a short cinematic video with more angles:

https://www.kpf.com/project/universi...for-innovation

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Thanks for that info and link. I think this project will be an iconic addition to downtown.

Ilitch should just donate the rest of his parking lots to organizations and developers who will actually build on them. Activity has been non-stop on this site since it was handed over to U of M.

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Originally Posted by K-slice

Ilitch should just donate the rest of his parking lots to organizations and developers who will actually build on them. Activity has been non-stop on this site since it was handed over to U of M.

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To be fair I would say it has been non-stop since the groundbreaking which was done right before they would have lost the 100 million the state was committing to the project. I think they still were dragging their feet even on this project.

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Originally Posted by southen

To be fair I would say it has been non-stop since the groundbreaking which was done right before they would have lost the 100 million the state was committing to the project. I think they still were dragging their feet even on this project.

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"Dragging their feet"... that should be on their family coat of arms... :eek:

As we all know... they kept dragging their feet on so many projects... and the city final "grew a pair"... with the Eddystone procrastinations. Why do they work at a faster speed when it comes to new build, than it does for restorations? :confused:

And even then, they got held up by "pizza glass" for their facade to the new Little Caesar HQ next door to the Fox... and that project even took an extra 2 years.

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Originally Posted by Gistok

Yes... but unfortunately it has all the charm of a 1950s Gas Station road sign... :eek:

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I don't hate it lol I find it hard to really like anything now, it's all glass curtain crap. Give me a Guardian or Penobscot building over Hudson's tower any day.

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Originally Posted by mikeg19

I don't hate it lol I find it hard to really like anything now, it's all glass curtain crap. Give me a Guardian or Penobscot building over Hudson's tower any day.

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Bulimia, I also feel the same about glass, glass, glass walls. I still think the WWI tank look of this building is a sort of homage to Detroit's "Arsenal of Democracy" rep. That’s just me, but I like it.

But, obviously, none of the more sculptural contemporary bldgs compare to the classic skyscrapers of Detroit.