RIP Greektown: Laikon Closing

**Bham1982** · January-28-12, 12:17 PM

The casino ruined it, and the Greektown property owners are complicit.

This neighborhood was arguably the best urban block in Micihigan as recently as 7-8 years ago. It pretty much sucks now, though the property values and rents are probably still strong.

I had no idea at the time, but integrating a casino into the urban fabric is a terrible idea. Much better to have it isolated MGM/Motor City style. Casinos appear to be cancers on the urban form, and its best to isolate these cancers.

**401don** · January-28-12, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

The casino ruined it, and the Greektown property owners are complicit.

This neighborhood was arguably the best urban block in Micihigan as recently as 7-8 years ago. It pretty much sucks now, though the property values and rents are probably still strong.

I had no idea at the time, but integrating a casino into the urban fabric is a terrible idea. Much better to have it isolated MGM/Motor City style. Casinos appear to be cancers on the urban form, and its best to isolate these cancers.

I tend to agree. I thought the casino would help the neighborhood but some blame has to go to the customers who are too lazy to walk outside. They would rather belly up to the all-you-can-eat cafeteria inside.

**wolverine** · January-28-12, 01:30 PM

Yes lets tear down our only intact block. See this is why I moved to Chicago

Where I can walk down a street with buildings

Where people live and work in them.

I've excused Detroit's abandonment so long but now they want wreck a functioning street. Screw it. Just when I think of moving back, another article like this appears.

**ThisIsForTheHeart** · January-28-12, 01:40 PM

They should have let the Turks in. Turks preserve their stuff.

**MidTownMs** · January-28-12, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

I tend to agree. I thought the casino would help the neighborhood but some blame has to go to the customers who are too lazy to walk outside. They would rather belly up to the all-you-can-eat cafeteria inside.

Why do the customers have to be lazy just because they don't want to go outside....I enjoy Greek food but that doesn't mean everybody else does. If people want to stay inside and eat that's their business at least they're down there and not a home complaining about what the casino has done to Greektown.

**Detroitnerd** · January-28-12, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by MidTownMs

Why do the customers have to be lazy just because they don't want to go outside....I enjoy Greek food but that doesn't mean everybody else does. If people want to stay inside and eat that's their business at least they're down there and not a home complaining about what the casino has done to Greektown.

Ah, yes. The ol' "At least dere's sumptin down dere!"

Well, she may have a point. Cities change all the time. Something you loved may not last forever, and when it's gone, maybe it's better that way, lost to time. No sense trying to resuscitate something that's gone the way of the dodo. That's so silly nobody would try.

Or, wait. Might they?

http://www.degc.org/development-dist...ent-district-1

**MidTownMs** · January-28-12, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

Ah, yes. The ol' "At least dere's sumptin down dere!"

Well, she may have a point. Cities change all the time. Something you loved may not last forever, and when it's gone, maybe it's better that way, lost to time. No sense trying to resuscitate something that's gone the way of the dodo. That's so silly nobody would try.

Or, wait. Might they?

http://www.degc.org/development-dist...ent-district-1

If you are going to attempt to quote me please don't edit what I wrote.

**Detroitnerd** · January-28-12, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by MidTownMs

If you are going to attempt to quote me please don't edit what I wrote.

I did quote you. And I didn't edit what you wrote.

GUSHI · January-28-12, 08:02 PM

Now they gotta do something w the 100s of acres of land that's not in use, ill itch should of put that cash he used to sign prince towards a new hockey arena,,,,,,

**Danny** · January-28-12, 01:20 PM

It's terrible that a once full rows of Greek owned restaurants and retail storefronts are disappearing right before our eyes. First Hellas then Laikon!

**Detroitej72** · January-28-12, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

I had no idea at the time, but integrating a casino into the urban fabric is a terrible idea. Much better to have it isolated MGM/Motor City style. Casinos appear to be cancers on the urban form, and its best to isolate these cancers.

Same here. I thought at that time they were doing it the right way incorporating the Casino in a thriving district, but in hindsight it is driving the nails into Greektown.

**Zacha341** · January-29-12, 09:12 AM

Casino's are always distructive to surrounding commerce. I signed the petitions to keep them out of Detroit back in the day! Their trashy buffets will temporarily sate the looser who gains these 'meals' ala their comps. The whole idea is to KEEP the gamblers in the casino!

Throw them an occasional bone of a small or medium size win, an occasional hotel comp, perhaps a better 'meal' [[beyond buffet) comp. All of this coupled with greed factor that the gambler will play back their winnings in the effort to 'win' more.

There's little area dining 'discretionary' income left once gamblers head to their cars in the parking lots after a stint of gambling. Not that there was any real discretionary income in the first place!

Originally Posted by Bham1982

The casino ruined it, and the Greektown property owners are complicit.

This neighborhood was arguably the best urban block in Micihigan as recently as 7-8 years ago. It pretty much sucks now, though the property values and rents are probably still strong.

I had no idea at the time, but integrating a casino into the urban fabric is a terrible idea. Much better to have it isolated MGM/Motor City style. Casinos appear to be cancers on the urban form, and its best to isolate these cancers.