What is going on at Red Wings arena site?

[downtownguy]

This would be the southern half of Woodward between Temple and Charlotte. I assume the stores on the northern half of Woodward toward Charlotte will easily redevelop. CVS????

There's a CVS and Rite Aid less than a mile from the arena site in opposite directions.

[emu steve]

There's a CVS and Rite Aid less than a mile from the arena site in opposite directions.

Yep, I found them with the assist of Google map.

I think one closer to the arena would be nice but you are correct.

[Atticus]

Is the new Woodward bridge capable of withstanding that weight or would you have to build a whole new bridge? Seems a bit bass-ackwards seeing how that bridge was just finished within the last year.

Maybe I am reading the article wrong, which I have been known to do from time-to-time!

It is not so much a weight issue as a location issue. Basically, they are not going to narrow the Woodward street width over the freeway, especially with the new M-1 rail tracks in place. So the only place to put these new shops is outside the existing bridge footprint. This would either require adding beams and widening the brand new bridge, or building new bridges on either side to support the proposed new shops. Either of which will not be easy or cheap.

[SpartanDawg]

This rendering released when the naming of the arena was announced has all the new buildings already rendered in.

Of note:

1.New parking garage to the east of the church by comerica. [[this is under construction currently)


2. Apartments on parking lots in front of comerica. these have been in every rendering since the district detroit was announced. I 100% expect them to be built, however may not start construction on them until next spring it seems.

3. New little caesars HQ: this has been announced and construction should begin this summer.

4. Hotel on woodward that was announced in yesterdays free press article. looks like they're going to slant it and set it back off woodward a bit so that the south full glass entrance to the arena has an unimpeded view of downtown detroit, and vice versa

5. seems like parking garages or new buildings going next to the Hotel Eddystone

6. DMC building just south of the new WSU school of business are already rendered in as well

7. the two 1-story buildings capping both sides of I-75 are rendered in as well


lots of exciting stuff to look forward to the next few months in terms of groundbreakings and new announcements!



notably missing however: the building to the south of comerica that was supposed to have bleachers on the roof. seems like they may have scrapped or tabled plans for that one

[Atticus]

This rendering released when the naming of the arena was announced has all the new buildings already rendered in.

Of note:

1.New parking garage to the east of the church by comerica. [[this is under construction currently)


2. Apartments on parking lots in front of comerica. these have been in every rendering since the district detroit was announced. I 100% expect them to be built, however may not start construction on them until next spring it seems.

3. New little caesars HQ: this has been announced and construction should begin this summer.

4. Hotel on woodward that was announced in yesterdays free press article. looks like they're going to slant it and set it back off woodward a bit so that the south full glass entrance to the arena has an unimpeded view of downtown detroit, and vice versa

5. seems like parking garages or new buildings going next to the Hotel Eddystone

6. DMC building just south of the new WSU school of business are already rendered in as well

7. the two 1-story buildings capping both sides of I-75 are rendered in as well


lots of exciting stuff to look forward to the next few months in terms of groundbreakings and new announcements!



notably missing however: the building to the south of comerica that was supposed to have bleachers on the roof. seems like they may have scrapped or tabled plans for that one

Good observation.

Also notably quiet is any news on the renovation of the Eddystone. I thought we would have heard more on that project by now.

As for the new right field bleacher building for Comerica, I suspect that may have to do with the on field play of the Tigers and resultant declining ticket demand. The value of those new seats is not the same as they would have been a few years ago.

[emu steve]

The only thing I noticed missing, I think, is another parking garage at W. Montcalm and Clifford.

I thought that surface parking there would be replaced by a structure.

My guess is that the renovation of the Eddystone will be 2018 [[or even 2019). 2018 would be best as most of the residential at the arena should be complete by then.

[MSUguy]

Work on the new Little Ceaser HQ should be starting soon. Some may know the city post it's demo and construction permits online at data.detroitmi.gov. The city on the 14th issued a permit at 2125 Woodward, the lot across from the Fox Theater, for "PHASE I: SITE,DEMO,FENCING,INSTALLATION OF SITE UTLITIES & FOUNDATIONS, SASSONS[[think they meant caissons) AS PER PLANS." The permit was issued Olympia Development.

Also this week permits were issued for work at 240 and 285 W. Adams, 145 and 215 W. Elizabeth for construction of a "bituminous paved parking lot". Also issued to Olympia Development.

[emu steve]

This rendering released when the naming of the arena was announced has all the new buildings already rendered in.

Of note:

1.New parking garage to the east of the church by comerica. [[this is under construction currently)


2. Apartments on parking lots in front of comerica. these have been in every rendering since the district detroit was announced. I 100% expect them to be built, however may not start construction on them until next spring it seems.

3. New little caesars HQ: this has been announced and construction should begin this summer.

4. Hotel on woodward that was announced in yesterdays free press article. looks like they're going to slant it and set it back off woodward a bit so that the south full glass entrance to the arena has an unimpeded view of downtown detroit, and vice versa

5. seems like parking garages or new buildings going next to the Hotel Eddystone

6. DMC building just south of the new WSU school of business are already rendered in as well

7. the two 1-story buildings capping both sides of I-75 are rendered in as well


lots of exciting stuff to look forward to the next few months in terms of groundbreakings and new announcements!



notably missing however: the building to the south of comerica that was supposed to have bleachers on the roof. seems like they may have scrapped or tabled plans for that one

I didn't know the parking garage behind St. Johns church is under construction.

Good news...

As a poster indicated, a permit has been issued to begin preparation for the new LC HQ.

As another poster indicated, ground breaking Wednesday for the WSU school of bus.

[emu steve]

Work on the new Little Ceaser HQ should be starting soon. Some may know the city post it's demo and construction permits online at data.detroitmi.gov. The city on the 14th issued a permit at 2125 Woodward, the lot across from the Fox Theater, for "PHASE I: SITE,DEMO,FENCING,INSTALLATION OF SITE UTLITIES & FOUNDATIONS, SASSONS[[think they meant caissons) AS PER PLANS." The permit was issued Olympia Development.

Also this week permits were issued for work at 240 and 285 W. Adams, 145 and 215 W. Elizabeth for construction of a "bituminous paved parking lot". Also issued to Olympia Development.

Does that mean that Olympia will be redoing those surface parking lots which lot to be in bad shape?

[mikeg19]

I didn't know the parking garage behind St. Johns church is under construction.

Good news...

As a poster indicated, a permit has been issued to begin preparation for the new LC HQ.

As another poster indicated, ground breaking Wednesday for the WSU school of bus.

Two thoughts: First, my God, stay away from that area of downtown unless you want to spend 2 hours driving .75 miles. And second, we need to see something other than tree lined lots behind the Fox. Yes, Comerica Park needs parking, but surface lots do nothing for the community, period. Go with the DG plan, ground floor retail/dining space with the parking deck on top.

[southen]

Two thoughts: First, my God, stay away from that area of downtown unless you want to spend 2 hours driving .75 miles. And second, we need to see something other than tree lined lots behind the Fox. Yes, Comerica Park needs parking, but surface lots do nothing for the community, period. Go with the DG plan, ground floor retail/dining space with the parking deck on top.

Bingo. It is amazing how transformative the Z-Garage has been for that part of downtown. Who would have thought that a parking garage could become an attraction.

[SpartanDawg]

Two thoughts: First, my God, stay away from that area of downtown unless you want to spend 2 hours driving .75 miles. And second, we need to see something other than tree lined lots behind the Fox. Yes, Comerica Park needs parking, but surface lots do nothing for the community, period. Go with the DG plan, ground floor retail/dining space with the parking deck on top.

i think that'll happen in the future. once this arena opens and other areas of downtown and midtown fully saturate building new is going to be the only way to go in about a year or so. the completion of the DTE park next spring in northwest downtown will help attract people there, developers will follow suit.

it really is a wasteland right now, but the arena is the first step to making that area attractive to developers

[emu steve]

i think that'll happen in the future. once this arena opens and other areas of downtown and midtown fully saturate building new is going to be the only way to go in about a year or so. the completion of the DTE park next spring in northwest downtown will help attract people there, developers will follow suit.

it really is a wasteland right now, but the arena is the first step to making that area attractive to developers

I agree.

I think we need to view the whole area from behind the Fox to MLKjr/Mack 'organically'.

Certain areas already appear to be developing or ripe for developing [[e.g., the Woodward block with the Vietnam Veterans building, hopefully DMC), hopefully Woodward/Mack, etc.

These were blocks which were not on the radar a year or two ago. Now they are.

Once more and more pieces develop [[e.g., LC headquarters, etc.) this may stimulate demand from developers for land in the undeveloped areas. Kind of a herd mentality: buy land today because it will be much more expensive in a few years once the arena, hotel, etc. are finished.

[Mackinaw]

Does Olympia own the surface lot behind the fountain and RF of Comerica Park [[next to the GVSU building)? Whether viewed in person or on TV, it looks like utter shit having cars parked there. Seriously, it makes us look like a bunch of hicks hosting minor league baseball. Horrible backdrop. A 4-5 story residential building with ample balconies and a roof deck venue for a distant [[but not terrible) view of the ballgame should have been built and completed years ago. This has nothing to do with the team's W-L. People watched the Cubs from across the street for years, after all.

[emu steve]

Does Olympia own the surface lot behind the fountain and RF of Comerica Park [[next to the GVSU building)? Whether viewed in person or on TV, it looks like utter shit having cars parked there. Seriously, it makes us look like a bunch of hicks hosting minor league baseball. Horrible backdrop. A 4-5 story residential building with ample balconies and a roof deck venue for a distant [[but not terrible) view of the ballgame should have been built and completed years ago. This has nothing to do with the team's W-L. People watched the Cubs from across the street for years, after all.

I believe that plans for that parcel were initially announced as part of the arena project along with the residences, LC headquarters, etc. along Woodward, south of the Fisher.

I noticed in the graphic which SpartanDawg posted that parcel shows no development.

Will development be determined after residences on Woodward adjacent to Comerica [[those parking lots south of St. Johns church) are built????

[EL Jimbo]

Something I would like to see at Comerica Park that could make the site a bit more of a year round site are some apartments beyond left field and center field. Here in Lansing, they are just about finished with apartments at Cooley Law Park where the Lugnuts play and given the demand for apartment units in Downtown these days, I don't see why this wouldn't be incredibly lucrative for Ilitich.

Here's a rendering of what the initial plan was for Cooley Law Park's apartments and they haven't really changed at all with the construction.

[401don]

Something I would like to see at Comerica Park that could make the site a bit more of a year round site are some apartments beyond left field and center field. Here in Lansing, they are just about finished with apartments at Cooley Law Park where the Lugnuts play and given the demand for apartment units in Downtown these days, I don't see why this wouldn't be incredibly lucrative for Ilitich. Here's a rendering of what the initial plan was for Cooley Law Park's apartments and they haven't really changed at all with the construction.

Don't see where there's any room at Comerica Park. They would have to go across the street. You would have to move the scoreboard and the Elwood. I also don't see the DAC wanting to sell their lot so apts. could block their view. Other than apt dwellers looking onto a snowy field I also don't see how this makes it more of a year round site. Nice touch for a minor league park though. Hopefully the Tiger Stadium site is similar.

[Scottathew]

Other than apt dwellers looking onto a snowy field I also don't see how this makes it more of a year round site. Nice touch for a minor league park though. Hopefully the Tiger Stadium site is similar.

People live in apartments year-round. However, the big draw is that they can watch baseball. The side-effect is that you have year-round residents, despite the seasonal use of the facility.

[Mackinaw]

Agree. And I think we're talking about right field-- starting behind the fountain and going over toward the corner of Witherell. Indeed, across the street, but close enough to be a selling point. Again, the surface lots and cell towers out there are an incredible blight.

Leave it to Olympia to make everything less than nice. 'A little touch of janky' should be their development motto. And frankly, I don't want to see them develop a mixed use structure there. Please sell to Bedrock and let our misery end.

[401don]

Agree. And I think we're talking about right field-- starting behind the fountain and going over toward the corner of Witherell. Indeed, across the street, but close enough to be a selling point. Again, the surface lots and cell towers out there are an incredible blight.

Leave it to Olympia to make everything less than nice. 'A little touch of janky' should be their development motto. And frankly, I don't want to see them develop a mixed use structure there. Please sell to Bedrock and let our misery end.

Okay, but I was responding to El Jimbo's post stating left and center field. A high rise on the empty lot to which you're referring would be fine but it really wouldn't do any more to make Comerica a year round spot than the other apt. buildings proposed along Woodward.

[royce]

I'm still irked about the LED roof going away, but I think we are FINALLY seeing this family follow through on commitments. There are a lot of irons in the fire, so that does provide me with some skepticism as to when these things will actually happen/buildings are up. But I think at the end of this endeavor, we are all going to be fairly surprised and pretty pleased with what comes out of it.

I think my worries lie with the land behind the Fox, including the UA theater, Life Building, and that sea of parking. There really hasn't been any mention of that area in terms of actual development, just a vague outline of what they want there. That to me is the huge question mark. If you can fill in that area of downtown and connect Woodward to the MGM/DTE Energy area, that is going to massively improve the walkability and aesthetics of downtown and will continue to push development across 75 toward MotorCity Casino.

Responding to the bold-print section, mikeg19, you should be worried. There probably hasn't been any mention of that area being developed because it probably won't be in the near-future. Ilitch and Olympia need that area for parking. Surface parking lots are cheaper to maintain than to build parking decks.

Have you noticed that in all the years that the Ilitches have been downtown, they have only built two parking decks prior to this year [[the one behind Hockeytown Cafe and the one north of Comerica Park at the Fisher Freeway. The new one west of the new arena is for the players and Olympia/arena staff. It's not for the public. The one behind the church north of Comerica Park is being built to free up surface parking for the apartments being built in front of Comerica Park. This deck should have been built when Comerica Park was built.

Now, the one that is supposed to be built near Clifford and I-75 for the future residential site probably won't be built until that development is built and I'm confident that neither development will be built by Olympia. The same thing applies to the deck that is supposed to be built around the Eddystone. The bottom line is: Ilitch is too cheap when it comes to building parking decks. That's why you see a sea of surface parking lots behind the Fox. The development of the buildings that are behind the Fox that Ilitch owns, a few apartment buildings, and three or four parking decks with ground floor retail could do wonders to improve that area. However, it's not going to improve waiting for Ilitch. Hey, that's my two cents.

[archfan]

Leave it to Olympia to make everything less than nice. 'A little touch of janky' should be their development motto. And frankly, I don't want to see them develop a mixed use structure there. Please sell to Bedrock and let our misery end.

You should trademark 'A little touch of janky' before it winds up in a LC commercial. I don't know who their add agency is, but they have some odd commercials. But what do I know - maybe they're so odd they're memorable?

[mikeg19]

Responding to the bold-print section, mikeg19, you should be worried. There probably hasn't been any mention of that area being developed because it probably won't be in the near-future. Ilitch and Olympia need that area for parking. Surface parking lots are cheaper to maintain than to build parking decks.

By and large I agree with you Royce. There is one major change though in the time since Comerica was built, though it might only have been new here, and that's the incorporation of retail/dining space into the first floor of parking garages. There are other examples, including over on Washington and DG's Z lot, that have shown that not only are you getting the revenue stream for parking, but now you're getting revenue from rent on nights when there are no large events happening that need a 500 space lot. If you outfitted the garages with a couple restaurants, a bar, and a couple shops, that up front investment doesn't look so daunting to recoup. Gravel lots are certainly cheaper to maintain, as you're basically paying the taxes and a rent-a-cop to patrol them, but I'd think the revenue stream from a garage with other elements incorporated could be enticing as well.

Hell, go balls to the wall and take a cue from the Book Cadillac garage: first floor retail, 5 floors of parking, 5-10 floors of apartments on top.

[gumby]

Responding to the bold-print section, mikeg19, you should be worried. There probably hasn't been any mention of that area being developed because it probably won't be in the near-future. Ilitch and Olympia need that area for parking. Surface parking lots are cheaper to maintain than to build parking decks.

Have you noticed that in all the years that the Ilitches have been downtown, they have only built two parking decks prior to this year [[the one behind Hockeytown Cafe and the one north of Comerica Park at the Fisher Freeway. The new one west of the new arena is for the players and Olympia/arena staff. It's not for the public. The one behind the church north of Comerica Park is being built to free up surface parking for the apartments being built in front of Comerica Park. This deck should have been built when Comerica Park was built.

Now, the one that is supposed to be built near Clifford and I-75 for the future residential site probably won't be built until that development is built and I'm confident that neither development will be built by Olympia. The same thing applies to the deck that is supposed to be built around the Eddystone. The bottom line is: Ilitch is too cheap when it comes to building parking decks. That's why you see a sea of surface parking lots behind the Fox. The development of the buildings that are behind the Fox that Ilitch owns, a few apartment buildings, and three or four parking decks with ground floor retail could do wonders to improve that area. However, it's not going to improve waiting for Ilitch. Hey, that's my two cents.

There is no way the new ramp next to the arena is only for players and arena staff. The ramp is going to be huge. Just how many vendors do you think work at the arena during games?

[emu steve]

There is no way the new ramp next to the arena is only for players and arena staff. The ramp is going to be huge. Just how many vendors do you think work at the arena during games?

is that one supposed to hold 1K vehicles?

I assume it is VIP parking including, e.g., suite owners, as well as players, team officials, etc. etc.

But the bottom line is that everyone one who drives to the arena needs to park somewhere, be it at the deck west of the arena or in the Fox garage or by Comerica or where ever...

Needless to say, price will determine where most people park. VIP will park in the new deck while many fans will park in surface lots [[and get snow on their vehicles).