RIP Greektown: Laikon Closing

**Kathleen** · January-30-12, 05:40 PM

I stocked up with a To Go order when we dined there at the Laikon on Saturday....I'm both looking forward to and nostalgically at my last Laikon Moussaka dinner in a few minutes.

**downtownguy** · January-30-12, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by Kathleen

Chatted with the waitress who said that the owner of The Laikon are not the owners of the building, who made the decision to sell the property to the Greektown Casino. So it is being torn down for a walkway between the parking behind Monroe Street and the Casino entrance on Monroe.

The Laikon owner is interested in opening a restaurant elsewhere in Greektown if possible. No idea whether it would be The Laikon relocated or a completely new restaurant.

The gentleman who owns the Laikon [[restaurant, not the building) also owns the recently reopened Greek grocery store a couple of doors down. I chatted him up when I stopped into the grocery a few weeks back. He told me about the building owner not renewing his lease and selling out to the casino for a walkway. I said there must be something that could be done, but he said he had appealed to council and others in the city to no avail. Frankly, I didn't think the city would be so stupid to allow a walkway in the middle of the block, so I figured the Laikon owner was embellishing the story or had a bone to pick about something. But, sadly, I was wrong. Incidentally, the former operators of the grocery in his location are the owner of the liquor store that took over Cyprus Taverna. I've been in there a few times and am frustrated because they don't label the shelves with the price of the liquors. I thought it was state law that prices had to be conspicuously displayed. Does anybody know for sure?

**canuck** · January-30-12, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by downtownguy

The gentleman who owns the Laikon [[restaurant, not the building) also owns the recently reopened Greek grocery store a couple of doors down. I chatted him up when I stopped into the grocery a few weeks back. He told me about the building owner not renewing his lease and selling out to the casino for a walkway. I said there must be something that could be done, but he said he had appealed to council and others in the city to no avail. Frankly, I didn't think the city would be so stupid to allow a walkway in the middle of the block, so I figured the Laikon owner was embellishing the story or had a bone to pick about something. But, sadly, I was wrong. Incidentally, the former operators of the grocery in his location are the owner of the liquor store that took over Cyprus Taverna. I've been in there a few times and am frustrated because they don't label the shelves with the price of the liquors. I thought it was state law that prices had to be conspicuously displayed. Does anybody know for sure?

Is that ever fucked up.

I cant get over that story. Not just because it eats up Greektown, a somewhat able presence in Detroit, a city that has lost a lot of ethnic neighborhoods over time, but because whatever small businesses there are in the downtown should be protected from heavy-handed approaches. Wow! Another letdown.

**313rd** · January-30-12, 06:29 PM

I'm not understanding the walkway. Where does this walkway take you to the alley? or to the private surface parking lot that holds 50 cars?

Is there something that we are missing that maybe a future development might be happening in that back lot?

**Islandman** · January-30-12, 08:26 PM

The casino has already decimated this neighborhood; these are just the echoes.

**cpanagio** · January-30-12, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by 313rd

I'm not understanding the walkway. Where does this walkway take you to the alley? or to the private surface parking lot that holds 50 cars?

Is there something that we are missing that maybe a future development might be happening in that back lot?

A new valet garage/entryway is being erected where the existing parking lot at Beaubien and Macomb St sits. I believe this was part of the landswap that took place earlier this year. Unfortunately, the Laikon sits directly in the path of the current 2nd floor entrance and proposed connecting walkway.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...125749058.html

**Detroitnerd** · January-30-12, 09:22 PM

Gotta have those pedestrian tubes! It's not like we'd want anybody to walk on the street, right?

**BrushStart** · January-31-12, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by cpanagio

A new valet garage/entryway is being erected where the existing parking lot at Beaubien and Macomb St sits. I believe this was part of the landswap that took place earlier this year. Unfortunately, the Laikon sits directly in the path of the current 2nd floor entrance and proposed connecting walkway.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...125749058.html

It really doesn't get any stupider than this. Destroying perhaps one of the only vibrant street walls in the entire city in order to build a parking garage walkway exemplifies everything that is wrong with Detroit. Other cities are doing everything possible to preserve such developments and encourage new ones. Detroit, on the other hand, seems to be completely disconnected from what is sensible development.

While they are at it, why not just level all of "Greektown" and build a giant valet parking lot to serve the casino. That way, we can shuttle in more poor and elderly folks to pour their money into that citadel of sin. I'm serious when I say that there is a special place in hell reserved for the people who are dismantling the vital remaining urban fabric of this city. I hope they will be sentenced to an eternity of living in a city where the only buildings are parking garages.

**illwill** · January-31-12, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by SteveJ

Its actually sad that its called Greektown because there is little left. I know everyone is blaming the casinos but I really think the stadiums are the one to blame. Once Ford Field and Comerica Park opened, then it seemed to drastically change to more of a sports bar and burger place.

You also have the problem that the Greek immigrants that owned these restaurants had kids that ended up going to college and wanted no part of the restaurant business. You can see it now in the Detroit restaurant scene. Its still dominated by Greeks but now you have a lot of Arabs and Albanians opening up restaurants. Once their kids grow up and get a college degree then you'll have a different ethnic group take over. Its like the concrete business. Once it was all Italians, now its dominated by Mexicans.

Did casinos really kill Detroit businesses? Was it the ball parks downtown? In my opinion businesses are a good thing. Maybe we should look at our city leaders if we're looking to blame anyone...

**Modusvivendi** · January-31-12, 02:48 AM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

Gotta have those pedestrian tubes! It's not like we'd want anybody to walk on the street, right?

Yeah, no kidding. A casino does nothing to help a neighborhood if people go straight from their car to the casino. If people walked outside maybe they'd patronize another business or two. Allowing these pedestrian tubes is very short-sighted, but downright destructive when it takes out a building that contributes to the urban streetwall that made the area desirable to begin with. Who the hell approves this kind of decision? They should be fired.

**Modusvivendi** · January-31-12, 02:51 AM

Originally Posted by BrushStart

It really doesn't get any stupider than this. Destroying perhaps one of the only vibrant street walls in the entire city in order to build a parking garage walkway exemplifies everything that is wrong with Detroit. Other cities are doing everything possible to preserve such developments and encourage new ones. Detroit, on the other hand, seems to be completely disconnected from what is sensible development.

While they are at it, why not just level all of "Greektown" and build a giant valet parking lot to serve the casino. That way, we can shuttle in more poor and elderly folks to pour their money into that citadel of sin. I'm serious when I say that there is a special place in hell reserved for the people who are dismantling the vital remaining urban fabric of this city. I hope they will be sentenced to an eternity of living in a city where the only buildings are parking garages.

Exactly. If the whole of greektown is turned into parking lots, it won't be any different than any other empty urban space and people will stop wanting to go there. The you'll end up with empty parking lots. Sigh.

**cpanagio** · January-31-12, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by illwill

Did casinos really kill Detroit businesses? Was it the ball parks downtown? In my opinion businesses are a good thing. Maybe we should look at our city leaders if we're looking to blame anyone...

You're absolutely correct. I'm not advocating whats going on in any way but as a business [[and a very unique one), the Casino is going to do what's best for their interests, even if this includes leveling a city block in order to give their business a competitive advantage. The City of Detroit should have given the neighborhood some sort of heritage preservation status years ago to protect it from the fate thats about come of it. Unfortunately for Detroit, big money talks and palms need to be greased. It's only a matter of time before the old neighborhood is nothing but a memory.

**downtownguy** · January-31-12, 09:28 AM

I never have any occastion to park in the casino garages, but can someone tell me, are they ever at capacity? Is a new garage really a necessity? They've got the humungous garage that's attached to the hotel, and another one one block south of the casino at Fort and Beaubien If necessary, people can park at the garage they orginally used one block east at Monroe and Brush. These are three big garages!

**downtownguy** · January-31-12, 09:30 AM

Has this been picked up by the media at all? Not just the closing of the Laikon, but the absurdity of the reason behind it? I would think there would be outrage if more people were aware of this.

**AGinthe313** · January-31-12, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by downtownguy

I never have any occastion to park in the casino garages, but can someone tell me, are they ever at capacity? Is a new garage really a necessity? They've got the humungous garage that's attached to the hotel, and another one one block south of the casino at Fort and Beaubien If necessary, people can park at the garage they orginally used one block east at Monroe and Brush. These are three big garages!

I park at Greektown daily from 5:00pm to 7:00am [[the next morning) and finding a spot is never a problem - always plenty of spaces.

**downtownguy** · January-31-12, 10:01 AM

I just called Council President Pugh's office and got voicemail. I left a strongly worded message experessing my outrage that this could have been approved by council, and if not, can they intervene. Next, I called Council Member Cockrel's office and got a staffperson that took 20 minutes with me to understand the location of the "tube" and the negative impact this will have on the area. He was quite sympathetic and said, to the best of his ability, he would bring this to the councilman's attention [[something about some other fiscal issues on his plate, also). According to this staffer, he couldn't remember this coming to council for approval. That's all the time I have for phone calls today, but if anybody else wants to bend the ear of other council members, their phone numbers are here: http://www.detroitmi.gov/CityCouncil.aspx

**AGinthe313** · January-31-12, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by downtownguy

I just called Council President Pugh's office and got voicemail. I left a strongly worded message experessing my outrage that this could have been approved by council, and if not, can they intervene. Next, I called Council Member Cockrel's office and got a staffperson that took 20 minutes with me to understand the location of the "tube" and the negative impact this will have on the area. He was quite sympathetic and said, to the best of his ability, he would bring this to the councilman's attention [[something about some other fiscal issues on his plate, also). According to this staffer, he couldn't remember this coming to council for approval. That's all the time I have for phone calls today, but if anybody else wants to bend the ear of other council members, their phone numbers are here: http://www.detroitmi.gov/CityCouncil.aspx

I also sent an email to Mr. Pugh.

**401don** · January-31-12, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by downtownguy

I never have any occastion to park in the casino garages, but can someone tell me, are they ever at capacity? Is a new garage really a necessity? They've got the humungous garage that's attached to the hotel, and another one one block south of the casino at Fort and Beaubien If necessary, people can park at the garage they orginally used one block east at Monroe and Brush. These are three big garages!

The main deck adjacent the hotel nears capacity [[i've been sent to the roof a couple of times) during events at the stadiums. A couple of years ago they started charging 10 bucks several hours prior to events. This obviously deters people going just to the casino who expect free parking. On the other hand, they pick up a lot of extra business before and after games and concerts. They obviously think there is demand for more paid parking on event days.

**downtownguy** · January-31-12, 11:41 AM

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).

**Bham1982** · January-31-12, 12:30 PM

10-15 years from now, I assume the block will cease to exist.

Unfortunately the "highest and best" use for the land is for filing cabinets of parking, to serve Greektown Casino.

Greektown is the laggard in the Casino Wars, and they're hamstrung by the location, which is a pain to navigate, and which is often disrupted by sports events and other downtown happenings.

It's in Greektown Casino's interest to turn their surroundings into a moonscape of parking. This improves customer access, while eliminating competing diversions.

**Gistok** · January-31-12, 12:54 PM

So let me get this right.... this will NOT be a missing tooth in the fabric of the streetwall... there will be a store or restaurant front on the first floor [[would be nice if Laikon were the choice)... but above it will be a catwalk or tube for visitors coming from a new parking structure behind the north wall of Greektown??

If other Greektown merchants are happy with this... then they are the ones that will have to live with their choices...

**cpanagio** · January-31-12, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

So let me get this right.... this will NOT be a missing tooth in the fabric of the streetwall... there will be a store or restaurant front on the first floor [[would be nice if Laikon were the choice)... but above it will be a catwalk or tube for visitors coming from a new parking structure behind the north wall of Greektown??

If other Greektown merchants are happy with this... then they are the ones that will have to live with their choices...

People can blame the Casino or other factors for the situation in the neighborhood but ultimately the Greeks are responsible for its undoing. Greeks are in fact the ones who originally proposed the Casino there in the first place. Over the last 10-15 years, the Greeks have migrated farther and farther away from Greektown and don't support the neighborhood like Greeks do in other cities. This forces the merchants to adapt their business' to a different demographic in order to survive. From that aspect its hard to blame them.

Like the old saying goes...they've made their bed any now they must lie in it.

**detroitpride313** · January-31-12, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by AGinthe313

I also sent an email to Mr. Pugh.

I have as well. Hopefully he listens to what the emails have to say and hopefully enough people will complain so that the council will reconsider their decision.

**swingline** · January-31-12, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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.