EDC votes to demo Tiger Stadium

[ScienceFair]

I think Jaime Samuelson and many others are missing the point of this debate, and because of that I think this issue is clouded and convoluted. The fight to save Tiger Stadium isn't based on nostalgia alone. It is based on the historical value and significance as one of the only pre-WWII ballparks still in existance. No one is spending their weekends working to restore historic Fort Wayne because of their fond memories of serving there in the late 1800s, they do it because of it's historical significance. Just like no one else is going to fight to keep Mr. Samuelson's childhood home from falling apart unless there is some legitimate historical significance to it.

And then there are the economics of the situation. New York city has valuable land and therefore it would not be a wise investment to run an empty stadium as a tourist attraction. And why can't anyone see past this arbitrary urgency of demolition? It has sat for 10 years, costing the city millions of dollars in upkeep [[see payments to Illitches) until a non-profit group decided to start paying for security, etc. There are no other plans to develop this site and therefore no reason to waste any resources on tearing it down. Meanwhile, there are countless abandoned homes and building in the neighborhoods of Detroit that are ripe with sqautters and crackheads. No one is in a hurry to tear those down.

[Novine]

Geo. Jackson funneled millions to the Ilitches while nothing was done with the stadium and Mr. Jackson failed to come forward with any legitimate redevelopment plan? That couldn't be possible.

[g-dub]

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is on the case. They sent out a mass email a few minutes ago. A colleague got this one at her office in Chicago:

TAKE ACTION NOW: DETROIT ICON SCHEDULED FOR DEMOLITION
Stop the Demolition of Tiger Stadium

For nearly 20 years, Tiger Stadium has been the focus of a local and nationwide effort to preserve an icon of baseball. As one of the last remaining historic ballparks, the National Trust for Historic Preservation included the stadium on the list of 11 Most Endangered Places in America in 1991. Although partial demolition of the stadium took place last year, the remaining portion of the ballpark was slated for redevelopment that would preserve historic elements as retail, office and community space, and preserve the playing field itself and the lower deck seating as a venue for youth baseball.
This vision was lost on Tuesday, June 2nd when the economic development arm of the city voted to follow through with complete demolition of Tiger Stadium.
Demolition equipment was on site the following day, despite protests from preservationists, baseball enthusiasts and local activists.
Demolition may take place as early as June 8th.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
WRITE THE CITY COUNCIL TODAY! [[link)
Express your outrage with demolition of Tiger Stadium. Let them know that redevelopment of this iconic historic place could transform it back into a thriving center of community activity.
Then, call Mayor Dave Bing's office at 313-224-3400 and voice your support for Tiger Stadium. He needs to know what protection of the stadium means to the City of Detroit and people across the nation.
Learn more about Tiger Stadium on PreservationNation.

National Trust for Historic Preservation
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-588-6000 / 800-315-6847
members@nthp.org / http://www.preservationnation.org/

[urbanoutdoors]

They have started the demolition on the third base side.... Truely no vision....