Originally Posted by
wolverine
Here's how I'd block out the "Arena District"
Freeway would be decked over. The fox garage would be extended Northward over the freeway.
Area just East of the "new" fox garage would become an outdoor skating rink like Millennium Park in Chicago. It would be surrounded by restaurants and retail to soften the backdrop of the parking garage. But you'd see this open up toward Woodward. Keep in mind, service drive would continue as normal beneath the garage.
The Arena would be surrounded by Sproat, Park, and Vernor and Woodward...but it would be pushed back toward Park. I'd want reserve a linear strip along Woodward for hotels, restaurants, and shopping. It would also help give this arena a better face so it wouldn't be some dead wall along Woodward when games aren't going on.
Lots north of Sproat would become a mix of retail and residential. Lots between Cass and Park would be entirely residential.
If those two homes are still standing. I'd have them dismantled and reconstructed close by. Last thing I want is an arena surrounded by entirely new monolithic buildings. You need a good mix to keep it interesting.
Also, while I'd prefer a very modern design. I think the populace would enjoy an Art-Deco design more. That might be more interesting actually.