What is going on at Red Wings arena site?

[Mackinaw]

It would be nice if they added some sort of pedestrian bridge at Park Avenue.

Why? And connecting what?

If it takes pedestrians off the street i.e. moving them straight from arena to parking, then definitely no thanks.

[southen]

Why? And connecting what?

If it takes pedestrians off the street i.e. moving them straight from arena to parking, then definitely no thanks.

Are you familiar with Park Avenue? It has a lot of great bars and restaurants which would benefit from being more connected. A bridge over the freeway at Park Ave. would connect those business to the residents and arena and give more options for pedestrians traversing the area.

Connecting to the Illitch owned surface lots weren't at all a part of my thought process.

[MSUguy]

I agree bridge would be useful. I don't understand how a pedestrian bridge would take pedestrians of the street that statement doesn't even make sense

[emu steve]

Why? And connecting what?

If it takes pedestrians off the street i.e. moving them straight from arena to parking, then definitely no thanks.

For those who wish to deny the arena, I'd suggest calling it "the bridge to nowhere..."

[emu steve]

Why? And connecting what?

If it takes pedestrians off the street i.e. moving them straight from arena to parking, then definitely no thanks.

Last I checked, bridges take people from where they are to where they want to be.

So if people South of the Fisher want to be North of the Fisher [[or vice versa), that sounds like a good reason to have a bridge. Correct?

[bust]

Last I checked, bridges take people from where they are to where they want to be.

So if people South of the Fisher want to be North of the Fisher [[or vice versa), that sounds like a good reason to have a that bridge. Correct?

Totally agree. And if you make life easier for pedestrians you will get more of them. Simple as that.

[401don]

Last I checked, bridges take people from where they are to where they want to be.

So if people South of the Fisher want to be North of the Fisher [[or vice versa), that sounds like a good reason to have a bridge. Correct?

By that logic, why have any city planning, just let each corp. survey it's potential customer base and do what they want - which sounds like how we ended up with MGM and Motorcity sitting at freeway exits.

[emu steve]

Why? And connecting what?

If it takes pedestrians off the street i.e. moving them straight from arena to parking, then definitely no thanks.

Actually it would be a safety issue.

Separating people from vehicles is a good thing.

I consider a pedestrian bridge both a convenience and safety thing, but not a necessity.

Those parking in the Fox garage could cross the Fisher at Woodward. Those near Clifford could cross at Clifford.

[bust]

By that logic, why have any city planning, just let each corp. survey it's potential customer base and do what they want - which sounds like how we ended up with MGM and Motorcity sitting at freeway exits.

I'm with you on your skepticism of casinos. But freeway exits and pedestrian bridges have little in common. Mostly they have an opposite effect on the vicinity.

I don't think the Ilitches deserve more largess to support their business interests. But I'd like to see Detroit become a more pedestrian-friendly city. This may not be the best project for that, but making alternatives to driving easier would help.

[emu steve]

I'm with you on your skepticism of casinos. But freeway exits and pedestrian bridges have little in common. Mostly they have an opposite effect on the vicinity.

I don't think the Ilitches deserve more largess to support their business interests. But I'd like to see Detroit become a more pedestrian-friendly city. This may not be the best project for that, but making alternatives to driving easier would help.

As I understand the expected parking at the arena:

1). There will be VIP parking at the arena.

2). There presumably will be one parking garage on Henry around Park.

3). Some attendees will take M-1 rail.

4). Some [[most?) attendees will park south of the Fisher. There is Fox parking and folks can take Woodward to the front door of the arena.

I believe we've discussed plans for another parking garage at Fisher/Clifford [[south of Fisher).

Will there be enough parking at Fisher/Clifford [[and the surrounding surface lots) to justify a pedestrian bridge?

Lot depends on the cost. Who pays?

BTW, everyone [[here) loves to talk about all of the surface lots west of the Fox. But once the arena is completed, I believe there will be two NEW parking garages [[Henry/Park) and Fisher/Clifford for usage by arena patrons AND Comerica Park patrons.

I really wonder if those surface parking lots will be needed in say two years???

OR will they be surface parking BECAUSE no one wants them for anything else, like building something? Not the unquenchable need for parking.

[emu steve]

This is not a paid advertisement... But if folks want to hear from the Ilitches themselves, there will be an opportunity at a Crain's event:

http://view.crainemail.com/?j=febb10...6c0c797c15&r=0

[401don]

This is not a paid advertisement... But if folks want to hear from the Ilitches themselves, there will be an opportunity at a Crain's event:

http://view.crainemail.com/?j=febb10...6c0c797c15&r=0

I heard by making both Ilitches newsmakers of the year Crain's got a 10% discount for rent at Sound Board.

[Mackinaw]

Southen, I should have asked you to clarify where you wanted the pedestrian bridge, as you did not state to where or over what it would extend. I assumed you meant over/across Park, but I see you mean an extension of Park Avenue so that people can get onto lower Park Avenue behind the Fox. I am familiar with that area, and the lack of any Park Ave. crossing. That's a good idea and it better be included in the 'District.

[bust]

This is not a paid advertisement... But if folks want to hear from the Ilitches themselves, there will be an opportunity at a Crain's event:

http://view.crainemail.com/?j=febb10...6c0c797c15&r=0

Will they take questions from the audience? I hope so!

[Gistok]

Here's a question I would like to see what they respond to.... all that empty land west of the Fox.... are they going to make it available to developers... or is it going to remain parking for the forseeable future?

[SyGolden48236]

Here's a question I would like to see what they respond to.... all that empty land west of the Fox.... are they going to make it available to developers... or is it going to remain parking for the forseeable future?

It will remain as parking until a more lucrative use can be found for it.

[emu steve]

Will they take questions from the audience? I hope so!

Admission: $75 [[w/out questions). $250 [[with questions).

This is a joke.

I really, really hope Chris decides to tell us "what's next". We are into 2016 and I'm sure attendees would love to hear some [[ground) 'breaking news.'

This would be a good opportunity to discuss the new headquarters, apartments by Comerica and the Mike Ilitch School of Business building.


Admission: $75 [[w/out questions). $250 [[with questions).

This is a joke.

I really, really hope Chris decides to tell us "what's next". We are into 2016 and I'm sure attendees would love to hear some [[ground) 'breaking news.'

This would be a good opportunity to discuss the new headquarters, apartments by Comerica and the Mike Ilitch School of Business building.

The Ilitches have done a good job of presenting the 'big picture' and some of the refinements to the new arena. Now is the time to discuss other buildings, etc. or other 'areas' like the area along the northern perimeter of the arena [[home of the Ilitch school of business building).

[royce]

What is really going to fronting Woodward? In the renderings it appears to be offices. However, from what I've seen, as the arena is built, I don't see a lot of room between the glass-topped concourse and the front facade of the arena facing Woodward. What gives?

[gumby]

What is really going to fronting Woodward? In the renderings it appears to be offices. However, from what I've seen, as the arena is built, I don't see a lot of room between the glass-topped concourse and the front facade of the arena facing Woodward. What gives?

I think it all just depends on the angle you are looking at it from. Comparing the site plan to the aerial shot it appears to have plenty of room.




From the webcam on www.districtdetroit.com it looks like the Addison building could fit between the bowl and Woodward.

Here is a view of the model at about the same angle of the aerial view.

[emu steve]

latest news item concerning Temple/Park area buildings.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...rict/78881784/

[bust]

latest news item concerning Temple/Park area buildings.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...rict/78881784/

The Ilitches have already proven they're architecturally incompetent. Since they clearly aren't going to do better, let's urge them to keep what we already have. A renovation would almost certainly be better than any crap they're likely to build, if they build anything at all.

Just my opinion.

[DetroiterOnTheWestCoast]

The Ilitches have already proven they're architecturally incompetent. Since they clearly aren't going to do better, let's urge them to keep what we already have. A renovation would almost certainly be better than any crap they're likely to build, if they build anything at all.

Just my opinion.

Sounds like they want to be able to tear down a couple of apartment buildings in an area where they claim housing will be built. Gotta get rid of that historic crap and replace it with ...... promises. Here is a novel idea....why not renovate them? The Ilitches are amazingly, stunningly, astoundingly tone deaf, but I guess if you are billionaires subsidized by tax dollars why change? If they would just follow through on a few of their promises they could actually generate a bit of good will.

[casscorridor]

Sounds like they want to be able to tear down a couple of apartment buildings in an area where they claim housing will be built. Gotta get rid of that historic crap and replace it with ...... promises. Here is a novel idea....why not renovate them? The Ilitches are amazingly, stunningly, astoundingly tone deaf, but I guess if you are billionaires subsidized by tax dollars why change? If they would just follow through on a few of their promises they could actually generate a bit of good will.

They are not good people.

[detroitjeff]

They are about to spend over $500 million on this project [[$300+ on the new arena and $200 for the surrounding development) and you are complaining about some buildings that have been rotting for years.

The only thing left worth saving in the Cass Corridor is the Eddystone and Hotel Fort Wayne.

[detroitjeff]

Photo from last week: