Discuss any developments regarding Broderick Tower and it's official redevelopment here.
http://www.brodericktower.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Broderick_Tower
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WylandWhales.jpg
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Discuss any developments regarding Broderick Tower and it's official redevelopment here.
http://www.brodericktower.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Broderick_Tower
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WylandWhales.jpg
I think it's great plain and simple! Get rid of all those creepy dentist chairs on the upper floors!
Darn it Doma, you got me excited, thinking that there was news regarding the redevelopment of the Broderick Tower. It seems like there hasn't been any news in forever. The opening date is continiously pushed back. It seems like there isn't any work being done there. It's a shame too because when I move downtown in a few years, I'd love to rent there. I could see it becoming a very nice restored building like the Book Cadillac.
Also, in before "Tear that schitt down!"
I am not in that area regularly but I have yet to see any signs of work going on in the Broderick.
And the web site is fairly sophisticated, I would not imagine that was done for free. Plus there are architectural drawings in the web site, floorplans are also expensive.
Still, jbad89 is correct, the date just always keeps getting pushed back and it never appears as if any work is being done there.
too bad, the Broderick Tower happens to be one of my favorite vintage buildings.
There is information about the financing behind the Broderick Tower project on a different Dyes thread. Check out the "Crain's on Richard Hosey, Lafayette Bldg" thread, the last half of the Crain's article is about the Broderick. Maybe something positive in the near future??.
How many times are people going to start this non-sense. Higgins has mastered the game of doing just enough to not get fined by the city. Here's how it works for people that haven't been following for the last decade:
1. City claims they are going to crack down on slumlords
2. Higgins accounces plans and shows architectural drawings [[which at this point have been cheaper than the fines he has evaded)
3. City says OK, but this time you better do it
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for many, many more years to come.
A few things I have learned are not real: Santa, the Easter Bunny, the toothfairy, compassionate conservatism and Higgins redevelopment plans
lol....I know right.....
www.buildingsofdetroit.com/places/brod
< /shameless self-promotion >
The Crain's article sounds like maybe Higgins is no longer the Broderick owner.
You think Higgins and Maroun are the same person? At least Maroun operates the bridge, what in the world does Higgins actually DO? I know of no project that Higgins has ever completed, do they even exist?
The Leland. And I'm pretty sure he owns some apartment buildings on the east side, or at least he did. I have an article from the 1980s that lists everything he owned at the time. It's huuuuuuuuuge. Some were not empty at the time but now are. Some, like the Hotel Detroiter, have since been razed.
I've been trying to get a hold of him for several weeks to ask questions for a building history on the site. If I ever get a hold of him again [[and he said he was down to talk about the Detroiter), I'll ask about the Broderick.
Repost from the thread Broderick parts are bold.
Crain's on Richard Hosey, Lafayette Bldg
Great piece by Nancy Kaffer in this week's Crain's:
Richard Hosey is a numbers guy, a senior vice president and senior originator for tax credit investments based in Bank of America's Detroit office.
He's also a historic preservation guy, whose résumé includes stints at prominent historic preservation and real estate companies in New Orleans and Baltimore.
And when Detroit's historic buildings are slated for demolition, Hosey thinks it's a waste.
When the Lafayette Building — the latest historic building to make the city's demo list — was still in play, the native Detroiter wanted to prove that it could be rehabilitated, the economic climate notwithstanding.
Detroit Economic Growth Corp. officials have said rehabilitation of the Lafayette isn't financially viable, an assertion to which Hosey objects.
“The markets are really frozen up and projects are hard to do, but in terms of the viability of the building, I think it's definitely viable,” he said.
So he ran some numbers.
“It was something to show the guys in this city that it does work,” Hosey said. “So I ran the numbers, I thought it worked and I thought it was viable.”
What he devised was a formula he says can work to convert many of Detroit's historic buildings — pre-1936, significant architecture, a good story — into residential rental units, even in a moribund lending climate that's required ever-more-complicated layers of financing to get deals done.
Hosey's calculations figure gross size, average size of units and rents at a rate the current market would bear.
He compared those costs — an estimated $60 million to rehab the Lafayette, $50 million with a deferred developer fee — to the available arsenal of state and federal tax credits and tools, including a larger state historic tax credit made available this year and a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development loan insurance program designed to help private industry construct or rehabilitate moderate-income rental housing.
“The big assumption in the project is that we would be the beneficiary of the new state historic tax credit, at the enhanced size,” said Hosey, ticking off elements of the formula.
“That's a state historic credit at $11.5 million which would generate about $8 million in net funding into the deal … a federal historic tax credit that I would have on the low side at $12.5 million, a brownfields state credit that would come in at $6 million, and a $19.5 million HUD 221[[d)[[4) loan.”
The U.S. Federal Housing Administration has become one of the country's most viable lenders, he said, but it can be a long process.
Brian Holdwick, DEGC vice president of business development and finance, said Hosey has good ideas but that the lending market is still a problem.
“He's mostly trying to leverage new market tax credits to bridge these gaps, and hopefully it does, but the key problem now isn't the ability to get tax credits, it's first position financing,” Holdwick said.
The DEGC routinely uses such tools, he said.
“They're all good tools. [[Hosey) brings new energy to trying to aggressively market those tools and trying to solve the gaps, but it's not something different and new,” Holdwick said.
“He's trying to put a whole bunch of layers of financing together that are needed to do these projects, and he brings a tremendous amount of energy, but I haven't seen any of these projects get over the finish line, either, in recent months. But that doesn't mean we won't keep trying.”
Developer Fred Beal's experience with the 91-year-old Broderick Tower bears out Hosey's theorem.
“Traditionally, it was difficult to put HUD [[products) together with tax credit scenarios like new market tax credits,” said Beal, president of J.C. Beal Construction Inc., based in Detroit and Ann Arbor. “But right now, the developer that's going to get something done is very likely to be doing it with HUD.”
Beal's Broderick, a 34-story neoclassical/Chicago school/Beaux Arts skyscraper in Detroit's Grand Circus Park, stalled when the credit market dried up.
Beal said he'd started to assemble financing for the project using the 221[[d) program, but then-low appraisal value put a crimp in the works.
“Today, knowing all the things we know about tax credit and new market tax credits, that same loan would work,” he said. “But we'd have to start all over to get it.”
The Broderick has received a federal tax credit worth 20 percent of the cost of the $55 million project and a $2 million state tax credit that can double or triple under the new state guideline — and that means the project may be on track to close this summer.
Hosey admits his formula isn't a magic bullet. Historic tax credits aren't always a sure thing, and city support or social lending could be required to leverage the historic tax equity credit.
But, he said, he'd like to see the city's historic buildings recognized as economic development tools.
“I understand [[the DEGC) has seen a lot of [[deals) fall apart,” Hosey said. “I've seen a lot of things fall apart in this market, but I want to get a project done and off the ground. Even with things falling apart, I want to help them see that things are possible, and see what we've been able to do in cities around the country.
“I think Detroit is a prime spot for things to happen, and even in these hard economic times, we have what need to go forward with this.”
So, the Detroit Historic Commission, with the enthusiastic support of the non-professional preservation community and against the opposition by its own staff and that of development agencies in Detroit, allowed Higgins to install a 3 acre billboard on the side of the Borderick.
The goal of this billboard, on a historic building and over looking a historic district, was to raise funds for pre-development work.
Three, nearly four full years later - there is no movement towards completion of the building. The only two points of activity have been the condementation and closure of the Pit Stop and the collapse of an adjacent, Higgins owned building.
The Broderick, which was less than 30 days away from being foreclosed upon, is still in the hands of Higgins.
So, giant billboards have led to nothing but further decay and the inability of the City to foreclose to get the building away from a slumlord. Is this advertsing thingy really a viable model for other buildings as has been suggested?
Can some one tell me if the scaffolding is still up, protecting passersby from material falling from the building? If so, why is there no outrage about a private owner not taking steps to "mothball" the building?
Sometime in the last 2-3 years I remember seeing a trailer for an indie horror film that was shot at, or at least set at, the Broderick. I didn't actually see the movie, but I think the plot was basically that some guy goes into the building and is never seen again. His sister and friends go to the building to search for him, get trapped, and macabre hijinx ensue. Has anyone heard about this?
yes, scaffolding is still there.
there is no outrage for the same reasons that there is no outrage for each of the other stupefyingly commonplace insults to the halfway intelligent and rational residents of this city, we are outnumbered by morons, crooks, and the apathetic
If you don't get in touch with him, you might consider a FOIA request of whichever public body handles historic designation applications; it should include a fairly extensive history of the building.
No, but I did see a group of three or so kids on the roof there as the sun set on July 12. I had a strong feeling they were doomed. Not sure that's related, but thought I'd share. The horrors may be real, and they may be impeding Higgins' development of the building.
When I see construction workers begin to fence up the area, bringing in the construction elevators, waste cargos and new construction equipments, then I believe it.
Its not being foreclosed upon any more. Thats the point. The City has no leverage to get Higgins to do any more than bare minimum on the buildings.
There was $350,00+ outstanding that was triggering the City to be able to foreclose on the Broderick and the Farwell.
Higgins sold the Historic Commission on the concept that if he were allowed to hang the big ad, he would use the moeny to do predevelopment and then redevelope the building. FOBC and others suppoorted this. The DDA and HDC staff advised that he was likely to pay off liens, keep the buildings as is and do nothing.
He took his payments and paid off the liens and tax debts. That was nearly four years ago.
Where is the pre-development? Where is the project in moving forward? A building collapsing does not count as progress.
Higgins now has a steady income stream and no motivation to actually do anything with the buildings. He can continue to pocket the advertising incrome from now until the building collapses. Why should he invest the ad cash in a project that doesn't pencil when he can continue to collect the ad cash and take skiing trips to the Alps? He's owned the buildings for how many deacdes now?
"Higgins now has a steady income stream and no motivation to actually do anything with the buildings. He can continue to pocket the advertising incrome from now until the building collapses. "
Too bad that the DDA/DEGC similarly mismanages the buildings that they own and control thus depriving them of any legitimacy to be able to ask anyone in town to keep up their own. But the demolition machine needs to be fed so the apologists for the DDA/DEGC are more concerned with making excuses for the failings of Geo. Jackson and Co. than pointing out the need for the DDA/DEGC to act as a responsible landlord, not a slumlord engaging in demolition-by-neglect.
Gotta agree... they could have used the blank wall facing the coney's and hung advertising banners [[like on the UA) that could have been seen from Campus Martius and environs, and used the cummulative advertising money to secure the building and maybe put on a new roof.
But that would have required business acumen.... :mad:
That Crains article is incredibly idiotic. The author should be fired.
Alleged "numbers guy" Bob Hosey makes his living off of historic tax credits. Of course he thinks the Broderick and Lafayette are good candidates for historic tax credits.
Next up, let's ask grocers if the city should subsidize groceries.
Crawford,
Hosey apparently makes money by applying for and receiving the tax credits. He has a vested interest in being right in assessing whether or not a building would receive the credit before actually applying for the credit.
It seems more analogous to asking a surgeon if you're a viable candidate for the type of surgery he performs. In other words, perfectly sensible.
Anything connected with Michael Higgins is doomed. That is - it's doomed to be subsidized by our tax dollars.Big splashy plans, press releases, politician's photo-ops, and not a damn thing ever done. He's a slumlord.
I found it! Here's is the trailer from YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb7s4W8aPyA
Has anyone heard of it?
Was this movie released or what, I can't find any info to say. I always thought the Broderick tower would make a good backdrop for a horror movie, sadly you use much of the city at night for the setting of a horror movie.
http://www.myspace.com/thetowermovie
According to their MySpace page it was shown at the Royal Oak Main Art Theatre last summer and a Grand Rapids film festival last fall. I sent them a message on YouTube to get more info.
Any recent developments with this building at all or is the owner just not even pretending to do something with it anymore? What can we do to these slumlords who do nothing with these abandoned albatrosses in our downtown?
The shitty economy and lack of available credit gives him a free pass. He no longer has to lie about plans, now he can just blame the economy becuause he really, really wants to do something there but can't get financed.
They should sentence him to having to live in his building.
I was driving around town last night, went by the Broderick, and I noticed that at least something has been done recently. In addition to what must be the 10 different "sports bar" on the grond floor in the last 10 years, the doors to the lobby off of Witherell have been covered over with a sign advertising the buildings redevelopment. Previously, this sign was inside those doors. I don't know whether this means they are working in there, or if they are just trying to keep people out.
"This just in" from Crains...
Tax credit in works for Broderick, other projects
A tax credit for historic rehabilitation pending in the Legislature means the $55 million redevelopment of the David Broderick Tower in Detroit could get started in three months, said Fred Beal, president of Motown Construction Partners L.P., the legal entity developing the project. Beal is also president of Detroit-based J.C. Beal Construction Inc.
The tax credit, versions of which have been approved by the state House and Senate, aids the 127-unit apartment development and 20,000 square feet of office and retail space planned on Woodward Avenue near Grand Circus Park.
The Senate last week passed Bill 944, sponsored by Jason Allen, R-Traverse City, which would allow the Broderick Tower and two other projects to use Michigan Business Tax historic rehabilitation tax credits.
The other projects are:
• The $145 million A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, formerly called the Argonaut Building. The 11-story building, once the home of now-General Motor Co.'s design center, was redeveloped as an expansion of the College for Creative Studies. The building was completed in September.
• Rehabilitation of the Federal Building in downtown Grand Rapids, to house Ferris State University's Kendall College of Art and Design.
The bill would retain a $3 million annual cap on the amount of tax credits a project can claim in one year. A similar House-passed bill, 5479, sponsored by Rep. Bert Johnson, D-Detroit, would also aid the three projects but allow for a $4.6 million tax credit for the Argonaut redevelopment.
Three months! Ha!
I missed this one when it was first posted. Now that this thread is alive again, I figured I should respond.
PQZ:
Please make up your mind as to what you want to attack the FOBC for. First, you say we never attended public meetings; then you say we say that we were at the HDC meeting lobbying on behalf of this billboard.
For the record, the FOBC never took a position on the Broderick billboard - either pro or con.
Aren't historic tax credits usually about the last set of credits a project like this one receives? It is very possible as far along in the pre-redevelopment process as the Broderick is that this could start in the time stated. Needless to say, what is possible isn't always probable, and I'd be surprised to see this move forward within three months time.
Thanks for the link esp1986.... the other bit of interesting news in that article is something that I hadn't heard before... the Argonaut Building is now the Taubman Center [[shortened name). Anybody know what he had to pony up to get the naming rights to that building?
Gistok,
It was reported back in July during their fundraising campaign that Taubman gave them $15 million, the single largest fundraising gift, which essentially means in these type of things that you get it named after you. Apparently, he's one of the trustees of CCS. Go figure.
The positive thing to look at here, as far as the Broderick is concerned, is the fact that the person giving the time frame to start work, should the credit go through, is the contractor, JC Beal Construction. They are obviously seriously involved at this point, and considering there is a timeframe set for work to begin, I am optimistic that this can actually happen, especially considering there are actual plans already in place, this isn't just another pie in the sky idea...
We have been given many timelines by Higgens it is just that this is the first time the timeline isn't "By next year". Skipper's Rule here but with the tax credit and the recent sale of the Farwell Building, this could actually happen.
They could start with closing the windows. I notice all those open windows every time I scoot by. A sad, forlorn sight.
Well at least this isn't Higgins talking... this is the construction company, so they must be under the impression that this is the final preconstruction piece to the puzzle... I also looked at the Broderick Tower website recently, and there have been a few changes made to it of late, so this may actually be happening... maybe Higging was $3 million short so the sale of the Farwell puts him over the top... who knows.
Higgins is going to have to take his name off the project if the other investors ever expect the units to fetch market rental rates.
Higgins' reputation as a building owner/manager isn't the greatest around these parts.
I won't go so far as to use the "S-word", but given the things that have been written about him in the paper, I sure wouldn't want to live in a building that was operated by him.
These are supposed to be "luxury" units from what I have heard... which will make it even more interesting... seeing now that the Book Cadillac units are now selling, it shows people are at least interested in these such units, time will tell how it does.
http://www.house.mi.gov/SessionDocs/...10-21-2009.pdf
Check out this link... this document was submitted to the Michigan House of Representatives by Motown Construction Partners LP... Judging from the letter, Fred Beal is in fact the leader of the project [[and president of Motown Construction Partners LP), meaning Higgins is likely just the owner of the building as far as the renovation is concerned.
Anybody know how the apts in the Fort Shelby are doing? I would think they would be the main competition for upscale apts in the CBD along with Merchants Row. The Shelby must have lowered their rates by now. They couldn't have launched at a worse time.
esp1986... did you notice the collapsed building was next to the Broderick Tower diagram along the right margin of that document?
Higgins isn't the majority owner in this project, anymore, is he? I was under the impression that he was largely sidelined [[or should I say sidelined, himself) when the Beals came in to save the day some years back. Higgins isn't the shot caller on this project, anymore.
Don't know about the Fort Shelby units as a whole, but rumor has it that one of the top floor suites is [[or at least was as recently as a few months ago) home to a certain young multi-millionaire named Mathew Stafford. [[I guess the organization rents out a few of the units there to be used as corporate housing).
3 months huh? Around here that usually ends up being 3 years :-p Just kiding, of course. I hope this starts soon! The Broderick is one of my favorite towers in Detroit.
It would have amazing views! From the website the views it shows of the city are just breathtaking. All directions have something interesting to look at!
I hope they block the windows it is going to be a cold freezing winter, maybe the billboard ad revenue isn't enough to cover it.
The Beals never came in to save anything. Just make money off another project.
If they can do enough work on a building, then the owner is in debt to them and then they can take a equity stake in the building and squeeze the owner real hard.
Beal jr. is also a person one wouldn't want to work for from what I've heard from more than one person.
Whoever it is that completes it, I hope to hell they do something something nice with it soon.
This is a project that has been in the works for about 5 years... when the plans finally materialized, the economy soured... they are just now following through on the plans... provided they start in March, pending a state tax credit, they could conceivably cover up the windows for the winter, but what is one more winter on top of the last 25??
I work for a construction related company, and we have done numerous jobs for JC Beal. Not among our favorite people....very difficult to collect our money from them. We'd like to tell them to get lost, but these days, you have to take whatever work you can.
Heres the Movie poster for the film, http://s585.photobucket.com/albums/s...WEB_poster.jpg http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/s...WEB_poster.jpg
I checked out the trailer, the FX looked pretty good in it. Wish they would have given me a jingle....
The tax credit legislation, presumably the last step toward a historic renovation of the Broderick is awaiting Granholm's signature...
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...FREE/912219981
God, could they at least take down the shredded "under development" banners? They are almost as ridiculous as the ones still hanging on in lower Midtown.
The building unfortunately is in foreclosure for non-payment of taxes. The owners owe Raymond $41,445.41 as of 11/1/09. The notice is posted on the front of the building.
I hope they get financing before the F bomb[[foreclosure) hits.
It would be good to see some more money flowing in Michigan.
3 Mill a year in tax credits, wow, that's not a bad deal for 3 developers who got it. Taubman et al have some good lobbyists. Even Kilpatrick for US Congress gave him 500.00, interesting. Why did a highland park state rep introduce this bill in the first place? I should run for political office, there is a lot of dough I could get to throw around, maybe to other politicians who are running also.
http://miboecfr.nicusa.com/cgi-bin/c...2=amount&sched
Higgins still owns it, Beal has about 5% or so interest from what ive read.
It's wonderful to see our tax money going to these developers for thier private enterprises.
Broderick makes up one of the tallest abandoned structures on EARTH!
Guinness Book people, where are you?
http://worldmysteries9.blogspot.com/...-on-earth.html
I don't see how foreclosure is a problem for the Broderick? Higgins got it for next to nothing, so it's probably completely paid for. The problem he's had is delinquent taxes. But he got a nice return on selling the Farewell Building, so even taxes shouldn't be a worry for him at the moment [[plus he gets advertising money for the ad on the former "Whale" space). Now financing is another story...
The bill has been signed into law by the govenor... time will tell us if this project will finally come to fruition... here's the link:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/[[S[[yx5...e=2009-HB-5479
You still don't get it. Like the ad revenues, Higgins has no intention of actually reinvesting that money. He is a slumlord that folks continually defend because they buy his poor little guy fighting the good fight routine.
Fuck that shit. I bumped into him on a flight from NYC to Detroit a few years ago. He was flying first class after spending 3 weeks skiing in the Swiss Alps on his annual vacation. Two days later he was pleading poverty and that he had no money to pay the $36,000 or so in back taxes.
You listening Detroit Dad? While you defend the Leland Apartments, Higgy's out blowing your rent cash on parties and trips.
He simply doesn't give a fuck.
Back in 1950, my orthodontist had his office in the David Broderick Tower. In 1952, he moved out to a medical arts building in the northwest [[Meyers Rd) area. My mother would take me downtown for the appointment, then we would go over to JL Hudson [[my mother's second home).
With the Historic Tax Credit passed for the Broderick Tower, does that mean this project is going forward definitely?
From what I have read from the documentation submitted by Fred Beal to the state legislature, the project could be shovel ready within 90 days of receipt of the tax credit, so I would look for it to begin around April 1. Keep looking on this page... when it begins, there will be a post or two on here, if from no one else, from me.
Well that WOULD be fantastic... BUT as for the Book Tower, the prospects of that happening are becoming more scarce each day... Key Investment Group, the company who announced the Book Tower Project, was to close on the building in November and announce a number of other projects in December, and to this point neither have happened... It seemed awfully fishy for a private investment group to announce a project like that with no public funds, so don't be surprised if it never happens... good news here is that John Ferchill is likely still interested in the Book.
As for M-1 Rail, the prospects are much better than the Book Tower at this point, but it is still a long road to fruition, but all we can do is hope, and with the major backers this time around, things are looking up.
This would make my year if it actually got started. This building is in such a prime location. I stare at it from the window of my apartment and dream of of it being full of life and light. I had told my family that with my career dreams well on their way to fulfillment that my next unreachable goal was to find a way to bring this building back. Sad I wo t be the one to do it but thrilled it's getting done.
I was talking to a project manager today at the telecommunication company I work for about any work coming up. He said, "Im working on a bid to rewire a 35 story Broderick building downtown that is being made into condo's." I asked if it was the Broderick tower and, not being firmiliar with downtown and only having glanced at the job, he wasn't sure. But what else could it be? He also described some of the living quarters in the sweets and it sounded like what I have seen on the official web site of the building.......
Just thought I would share this and see if there is any news on the building....
God I hope that is true. I'd love to live in that building once it's rehabbed. Great views all around.
Walking by this afternoon and there were 4 men walking in with big rolls of what appeared to be blue prints
Please post here:
http://detroityes.com/mb/showthread.php?t=1783
Wouldn't it be great to see some lights on in the Broderick Tower after so many years. I remember seeing the Fort Shelby and Book Cadillac hotels lit up during construction for the first time in decades, what a sight that was after so long. Maybe sometime this year something will start happening at the Broderick, which has always been one of my favorite buildings.
Well, in his letter to the State House, Fred Beal stated that the project could be "shovel ready" in 90 days from the passing of tax credit legislation... That legislation passed in mid December, so I think a lot of us are eagerly waiting to see if this finally happens... now for the David Whitney Building...
Yes, from what I have heard the DWB is is very good shape, and looks like it too, considering it has been empty since 1993. The owners, [[based out of Troy, I believe) keep pretty close tabs on it... i can recall multiple times this year that I have gone by there and seen lights on in the lobby, and doors open. They have said that the building is empty by choice... no shit right?? but if the area continues to rebound, maybe they will renovate it... who knows, but at least it is sealed from the elements... whenever there is a broken window, they seem to at least board it up from the inside.
DWB has been abandoned since 2001-2002.
There is a man who takes care of the building. The upper floors are in pretty bad shape from vandalism and scrapping, but thankfully there is not too much in the way of water damage or broken windows. The large glass atrium has some broken panes but the rain & weather that enters is minimal. The lobby is in very nice shape. The building is largely shut down but the electricity is kept on, the basement kept from flooding, and 24-hour security is posted at the site. The Troy owners are keeping tabs on the developments downtown and waiting for the right time to rehab the building. They are waiting for a big tenant along the lines of Quicken to step in, but right now only closed-door talks are taking place.
This is a good sign. The views from this building are probably some of the best in the city. It'd be great to see this plan takeoff.
Also a quick question someone on here can answer. On the Broderick, why are some of the windows near the top bricked off? It looks like some of the arched windows were covered on the, I wanna say northern side of the building facing Comerica. Anybody know why and when that was done?
Drove by the Broderick this evening... the protective scaffold tunnel on the sidewalk has been moved out from the building... this scaffolding was previously up against the building... I presume this is to provide space for the dumpsters for renovation... so this could be indicative of the renovation beginning VERY soon... anyone else heard anything??
Sorry, they've been that way for a long time now, at least 9 months if not more.
http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/#50...-14.1&pid=5082
This is good news for the Broderick Tower.
Last night, while watching the fireworks from a parking garage in midtown, we all noticed the entire Northeast corner of the Broderick tower had lights on. Looked as though a stairwell or shaft of some sort was lit. Any information?
They could very well be about to start the renovation. Fred Beal said in a letter to the Michigan House, that renovations could begin within 90 days of approval of a tax credit. Said credit was signed into law by Jennifer "You'll be Blown Away" Granholm in December. So it has been 6 months, it wouldn't surprise me if they are finally starting it with the infusion of people that downtown is about to see... anyone else know anything??
That would be great....though my guess is the developers/owners decided to have a nice fireworks party from an upper floor....
I havent seen lights on that building in awhile, maybe I just never noticed. Maybe the were up there watching the fireworks
Why do we always tease ourselves? One building closes down, another gets renovated. It's a viscous cycle around here. I'm happy in fact if the Broderick is FINALLY going to get redeveloped, but hell now the Stott is closing. Every time it's 1 step forward, 2 steps back in this city. It does seem that a lot of projects that were ready to go before the recession hit are either starting up or are getting back on track, but some sustained momentum for once would be nice. If everything going on downtown is lining up the way it looks to be, a REAL revival of downtown may be just around the corner here. But I'll still be cautiously optimistic....
I've checked the last two nights and no lights were on. Who knows...