RIP Greektown: Laikon Closing

[downtownguy]

Got through to someone in the Planning Commission department who gave me all the details. Back in July, notices were sent to all interested parties within 300 feet, and public hearings were held. Most supported it -- the owner of the restaurant did not. It is a historic district. The City of Detroit Historical Commission reviewed the plans and wrote a letter of approval, but the man I talked to could not recollect if it implicity supported it.

The proposed garage will be used for valet parking only. Patrons will drive to the garage, valet park, and then walk across the tube directly into the casino. Apparently many of the independent merchants nearby supported it because it will make it easier for patrons to park near their establishments. This is supposed to relieve some of the congestion at the garage the valets at the Lafayette entrance use which is at Fort and Beaubien. I suppose it may even extend my life expectancy as I've had to dodge out of the way of the valets on more than one occasion as they show little regard for pedestrian lives.

The garage will be six stories tall and have a capacity of 850 vehicles. It did come before council on 12/14/11 and passed 7-2. Watson opposed, and the man I talked to couldn't recall the other member that opposed it.

One condition of the sale to the casino is that they will rebuild a storefront on the site and the tube will be configured to pass through the second story of that structure. Sadly, I always felt the upstairs at Laikon was the most charming aspect of it. I'm sure the new structure will exhibit all the class and understated good taste that the other casino buildings exhibit. [[editorial sarcasm).