Is this at all a possibility for the train station in Detroit? Or, not gonna happen?
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business...,2999684.story
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Is this at all a possibility for the train station in Detroit? Or, not gonna happen?
http://www.baltimoresun.com/business...,2999684.story
Not going to happen. There are more reasons than I can stand to mention, but they include, bad location, prohibitively expensive renovation, and no obvious need for more hotel rooms in the foreseeable future.
This was big news in Baltimore today. I could not even imagine the postive feelings that would come out of it if this was announced for Detroit's train station. It would probably make national headlines. What a phenominal event. But I guess I am dreaming?
Not gonna happen for all the reasons mwilbert said and more. T'would be nice. I still think it woulda been nice to have put one of the casinos in MCS. So it goes.
I visited the southern states just recently. Went to Savannah, Georgia - it was beautiful. They had repurposed buildings from the early 1900's into hotels - like the Marriott - and a very successfull downtown area. An art school - the Savannah College of Art and Design had renovated, restored a few buildings for use as classrooms and dorms. It was very fabulous.
I visited New Orleans where evidence of Katrina still exists. It looks like Detroit did in the '70's. The difference is that New Orleans has had massive rebuilding going on. A lot of new apartments, buildings for commerce, etc.
I hate to say this, but, it ain't going to happen in Detroit. I feel horribly when the train station is mentioned, it was such a beautiful building and had so much energy. Same with the beautiful houses that used to exist in the city.
There is too much anger and resentment in Detroit, too much negativity. One cannot start a project because people destroy it when it is not being watched by the owner. Too many want someone to do something about a situation - well, like who? The elected officials - ?
I don't know what else to say.
As much as I want the MCS to stay, I would not want it to be a hotel. No need.
... curious..
The Savannah Marriott, as well as the Hyatt, are not restored early 1900's buildings.However, all along River Street formerly empty cotton warehouses have been restored as hotels and various shops and bars starting in 1972.
I don't think it would be a terribly bad location for a hotel if they ever restored train service to the station. And it would be a prominent location for some hotel chain's marquee to be displayed...
Detroit tends to consider progress what became of Union Station. What could have been a phenomenal entrance for WCCC was torn down in favor of a generic glass frontage.
The chemistry to make big, positive things like this happen is lacking in Detroit. I could take any structure or even any type of problem that exists in Detroit and find a workable solution elsewhere. More train stations are certainly due to follow the fate of Baltimore's, but Detroit won't be one of them.
I suppose I can be wrong though. I still wonder how the heck anyone got the Book-Cadillac to work out, but it seems MCS is in the wrong hands for anything good to come about.
I think if that Detroit to Chicago high speed line is realized -- and I have a good feeling that this particular link has among the highest priority of any proposed line in the country -- then we will all be having different thoughts about viability of this train station.Quote:
Originally Posted by wolverine
I have more doubts about the people in charge than I do about the viability of this train station.
hear! Hear!Quote:
Originally Posted by jtf1972
that train station tower was never really full on all floors. maybe it could be a huge sign advertising women fashions, beer and gentleman's clubs