WSU to build $93 million biotech hub

**Detroit Stylin** · February-05-13, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by 1953

Good God, man!

Can people stop posting pictures of modernists structures? I don't want to throw up anymore today!

1953

lol
i am in agreement...

**Jason** · May-09-12, 05:29 PM

I think the response is a little too much for the event.

They have plans [[solid enough plans to hire an architect) to build on the site so it's not about "parking lots".

It's not an issue of historic preservation because the building isn't architecturally or historically significant.

It's not an issue of urbanism because the building isn't especially urban as it is. It's not anti-urban either, it just sort of in between.

So if I were to pressure anyone I would pressure WSU to build the best new building possible on the site. The street wall on Cass could be completed. The sidewalk on burrough street could be made a few feet wider to accommodate some trees and seating [[or at least enough for two people to walk past each other). You could add a few stories and get more activity on the site. And there's other stuff that a new building could do that could really improve that area.

So yeah I'm less concerned that the building is being demolished and more concerned that the new building won't be to a high standard.

**wolverine** · May-10-12, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by Jason

I think the response is a little too much for the event.

They have plans [[solid enough plans to hire an architect) to build on the site so it's not about "parking lots".

It's not an issue of historic preservation because the building isn't architecturally or historically significant.

It's not an issue of urbanism because the building isn't especially urban as it is. It's not anti-urban either, it just sort of in between.

So if I were to pressure anyone I would pressure WSU to build the best new building possible on the site. The street wall on Cass could be completed. The sidewalk on burrough street could be made a few feet wider to accommodate some trees and seating [[or at least enough for two people to walk past each other). You could add a few stories and get more activity on the site. And there's other stuff that a new building could do that could really improve that area.

So yeah I'm less concerned that the building is being demolished and more concerned that the new building won't be to a high standard.

This is called land banking. And it's one of the worst possible forms master planning. Just because they hire an architect doesn't mean anything. They could have 100% design done and the thing may never get built. It's "about parking lots" if they are building a parking lot. I'll bet WSU will tell you any one of their future lots is up for development.

**Dyenimator** · May-09-12, 09:49 PM

WSU's initiatives are for something meant to improve human life through research. That means a lot more than a building.

**Gistok** · May-10-12, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by Dyenimator

WSU's initiatives are for something meant to improve human life through research. That means a lot more than a building.

Nice try... but that is a "Red Herring" debating fallacy....

'A Red Herring is a fallacy in which an irrelevant topic is presented in order to divert attention from the original issue. The basic idea is to "win" an argument by leading attention away from the argument and to another topic.'

**wolverine** · May-10-12, 07:39 AM

I should point out that providing parking doesn't improve quality of life for your employees. They should be encouraging people to walk or take public transit. Heck, they don't need to take transit really. Just park in one of their existing lots and walk a block or two.

If people walked a few blocks in each direction everyday...whether its from their office to home, or office to the parking lot it would have measurable positive effects on their health.

The public remains largely ignorant of the benefits of not driving, or at least reduced driving to work. You feel better getting a short walk in before work. It's a great way to unwind the work day. And by either consolidating parking, or reducing it you provide more land for more intensive uses like shops and restaurants.

I signed the petition and I hope more people do.

**Dyenimator** · May-10-12, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

Nice try... but that is a "Red Herring" debating fallacy....

'A Red Herring is a fallacy in which an irrelevant topic is presented in order to divert attention from the original issue. The basic idea is to "win" an argument by leading attention away from the argument and to another topic.'

Irrelevant? Increasing their research scope and relevance as a university is irrelevant? WTF is wrong with you?

This is the topic. How they design buildings and use the surrounding area is the byproduct. Sure, it's not optimal in terms of dense-looking urbanity, but if it's a necessary consequence in my hometown university's hope to improve, I'll take it.

**Gistok** · May-10-12, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Dyenimator

Irrelevant? Increasing their research scope and relevance as a university is irrelevant? WTF is wrong with you?

This is the topic. How they design buildings and use the surrounding area is the byproduct. Sure, it's not optimal in terms of dense-looking urbanity, but if it's a necessary consequence in my hometown university's hope to improve, I'll take it.

Nothing is wrong with me... you are interjecting an argument [[improve human life thru research) that is not relevant to the discussion of historic preservation. You could say they are building a hospital to save lives... and it would still not be relevant to historic preservation.

The reasons that they are turning this into a parking lot has less to do with its' intended use, and more to do with the fact that they want to house their construction equipment on that site.... and not some noble cause to science and humanity...

**Detroitnerd** · May-10-12, 02:48 PM

I don't believe Gilmour for a second. Know why?

Once they knock down American Beauty and create a staging lot to build out the rest of the block ...

... what will they use for a staging area to build on the staging area? :P

**rb336** · February-05-13, 02:40 PM

that last one was brutalist, not modernist

**nain rouge** · February-05-13, 03:30 PM

It is interesting how people like Dan Gilbert and institutions like Wayne State are all over stuff like the M-1 Rail, but then lead the charge for parking garages and ill-placed surface lots. It seems like the community leaders need to get together and decide what they really want: a more urban Detroit, or a more suburban Detroit. Because with the new M-1 Rail, you'd think you'd want as new developments facing Woodward whenever possible. People are moving into these neighborhoods because they want an urban experience, but developers seem to drag their feet on meeting the change in market demand because their neighbor Joe in Bevery Hills is worried about where he'll park.

**Detroitnerd** · February-05-13, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by nain rouge

It is interesting how people like Dan Gilbert and institutions like Wayne State are all over stuff like the M-1 Rail, but then lead the charge for parking garages and ill-placed surface lots. It seems like the community leaders need to get together and decide what they really want: a more urban Detroit, or a more suburban Detroit. Because with the new M-1 Rail, you'd think you'd want as new developments facing Woodward whenever possible. People are moving into these neighborhoods because they want an urban experience, but developers seem to drag their feet on meeting the change in market demand because their neighbor Joe in Bevery Hills is worried about where he'll park.

Well, you get the kind of design talent that you fund. Governments and businesses exclusively fund buildings with curb cuts and parking in front, and that's the design mentality you get.

And when contractors work out in greenfields, they can't even figure out how to shoehorn a construction site into a block. They'll ask you to rip down a building for a mere "staging area."

When governments do things to change the skill set, that is when the skill set changes. It can be passive, like making rules on historic districts, so smaller companies get bids for refurbishing and renovating and prosper and grow. Or it can be active, like subsidizing major projects to grow that particular set of skills.

We subsidize demolition and new, suburban-style construction almost exclusively. And that's what we get.

You can't blame somebody who builds parking lots and big boxes on greenfields for not knowing any other way to approach a project. They don't know it and haven't seen it and nobody funds it.

**drjeff** · May-10-12, 09:28 AM

According to President Gilmour yesterday:

1) He is well aware that some people are upset about tearing down the American Beauty building. It is happening anyway.

2) The plans for that site are that a building fronting Woodward will be built after the research building is completed. It will not be a parking lot.

**313WX** · May-10-12, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by drjeff

2) The plans for that site are that a building fronting Woodward will be built after the research building is completed. It will not be a parking lot.

So it'll be a parking garage?

**rjlj** · May-10-12, 11:10 AM

You are Naive.
What are the actual plans for this so called new building? What is the timing?
Who are the tenants?
What does it look like?
These are all what if's.
There will be an empty lot in place of the American Beaity Building for 15+ years in what is the worst looking part of this "All American Road."

Why is Detroit in a bubble where history repeats mistakes over and over again? Everyother large city in America gets it, UDM Law School gets it.

http://www.modeldmedia.com/devnews/u...use050812.aspx

Originally Posted by drjeff

According to President Gilmour yesterday:

2) The plans for that site are that a building fronting Woodward will be built after the research building is completed. It will not be a parking lot.

**Detroitnerd** · May-10-12, 02:49 PM

And if they can find another staging area to build on the initial staging area, why didn't they USE THAT LOT IN THE FIRST PLACE?

**Pcm** · May-10-12, 04:08 PM

Just a reminder, the petition can be viewed/signed/hated/loved here:

http://www.change.org/petitions/wayn...urface-parking

Also, we tipped the 600 signature mark today.

**wolverine** · May-10-12, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

And if they can find another staging area to build on the initial staging area, why didn't they USE THAT LOT IN THE FIRST PLACE?

Staging areas are typically built in public right of way. All cities grant that privilege. They'd knock out a lane of parking on Woodward and close the sidewalk to store materials trailers, and move equipment.

**Pam** · June-13-12, 09:17 AM

Curbed says demo has started on the American Beauty building:

http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2...s-the-dust.php

**Gistok** · February-05-13, 09:32 AM

That building has all the charm of the Purdy library on the WSU campus... ugliest building around...

**DetroitPlanner** · February-05-13, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

That building has all the charm of the Purdy library on the WSU campus... ugliest building around...

You can't be serious... This building is a beauty. A total manifestation of the modern movement. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mishpo/6176131352/

Wayne's ugliest has to be either the brutalist Science Library or the Undergraduate [[poor adaptation of post modern).

**Honky Tonk** · February-05-13, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

That building has all the charm of the Purdy library on the WSU campus... ugliest building around...

I think it's Purdy......

**nain rouge** · February-05-13, 04:11 PM

I know, but it's kind of sad that the something as cool as the Skillman Branch of the Detroit Public Library will be facing a giant parking garage. And that's all Gilbert right there. He lives in the suburbs and probably doesn't quite understand urban planning, and yet he's practically in charge of development in downtown Detroit [[along with Illitch). I do think he has and will continue do much more good than harm - I just hope it will be lasting. If Detroit is redeveloped correctly, it won't matter if Quicken Loans is bought out or disappears one day. Otherwise...?