Quote Originally Posted by downtownguy View Post
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.
Greektown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places but it is not a locally designated historic district under Michigan law. A National Register listing provides no protection from demolition. Because Greektown is not locally designated, the Detroit Historic District Commission has no authority over what goes on there. The HDC can't stop the demolition or ill-advised alteration of a building that is only listed on the National Register. It can provide advisory opinions under such circumstances and apparently did so here.