"Time Square" Idea for The Lafayette Building

[HazenPingree]

Perhaps all this time and energy would be better spent addressing that issue?

It's more logical to "adaptively reuse" something if there is an actual "use" in mind. It's great that there are those who want to spend their time saving these buildings, but if in the 10 -15 -20 years it takes to get them rehabbed, the CoD is still awash in empty offices, empty hotels, empty apartments, and failed loft developments...what is the point?

What's better, a CBD filled with empty but ornate historic buildings, or a CBD that is actually an empty field strewn with whiskey bottles. That's not really THAT much of an exaggeration. We demolish MUCH more than we build. And none of the major demolishion sites since 1998 have resulted in any development.

[detmich]

...none of the major demolishion sites since 1998 have resulted in any development.

And there lies the rub. If no one wants to build new modern offices in downtown, then why would they want to rebuild old obsolete offices in downtown. I understand that preservation efforts give folks with too much time on their hands something to do that makes them feel good, but they all seem to misunderstand when preservation is required and when it works.

Preservation in NY or Chicago or DC is necessary because developers want to destroy existing historically significant viable structures and replace them with new viable structures. That is not the case in Detroit. In Detroit the situation is this- there are many many existing non-viable structures of questionable historical significance that are expensive to keep standing and that often present a danger to the general public. There is no economic reason whatsoever to keep paying for these empty unused structures. There is no near term boom coming to downtown Detroit. Many think that there is not much of a long term boom either. The idea of preservation for preservation's sake, which is what we are witnessing here, is as vapid, vainglorious, and foolish as demolition for demolition's sake.

[ghettopalmetto]

Preservation in NY or Chicago or DC is necessary because developers want to destroy existing historically significant viable structures and replace them with new viable structures. That is not the case in Detroit.

Preservation in DETROIT is necessary because DEGC want to destroy existing historically significant viable structures and replace them with new WEED-FILLED LOTS.

I'll reiterate that unless you're a licensed Professional Engineer, you have no authority to judge whether or not a building represents a danger to the public. So please, spare us the hysteria.

[detmich]

Preservation in DETROIT is necessary because DEGC want to destroy existing historically significant viable structures and replace them with new WEED-FILLED LOTS.

I'll reiterate that unless you're a licensed Professional Engineer, you have no authority to judge whether or not a building represents a danger to the public. So please, spare us the hysteria.

If they were viable, there wouldn't be any talk of demolition because they would be fully occupied and making a profit for their owners. This is not the case here.

[archytech]

And there lies the rub. If no one wants to build new modern offices in downtown, then why would they want to rebuild old obsolete offices in downtown. I understand that preservation efforts give folks with too much time on their hands something to do that makes them feel good, but they all seem to misunderstand when preservation is required and when it works.

Preservation in NY or Chicago or DC is necessary because developers want to destroy existing historically significant viable structures and replace them with new viable structures. That is not the case in Detroit. In Detroit the situation is this- there are many many existing non-viable structures of questionable historical significance that are expensive to keep standing and that often present a danger to the general public. There is no economic reason whatsoever to keep paying for these empty unused structures. There is no near term boom coming to downtown Detroit. Many think that there is not much of a long term boom either. The idea of preservation for preservation's sake, which is what we are witnessing here, is as vapid, vainglorious, and foolish as demolition for demolition's sake.

It's not so much that no one wants to build, rather it is because this city makes it to difficult, too expensive and to burdening to make it happen. Its honestly cheaper, faster and eaiser to build, and get permits in most of the suburbs. Until we can tackle the building and permiting and licensing of buildings and their tenants this city will continue to grow [[or fade) slowly. Many believe that clearing way for new structures, providing parking for a development, or offering some kind of gap financing or tax credit/reduction will help to bring new buisnesses in the city. That may be true in the long run once we can tackle crime and perception, but I must re-iterate that we MUST make it eaiser to start and do buisness in the city. This should be the current adminstration's priority.

[detmich]

It's not so much that no one wants to build, rather it is because this city makes it to difficult, too expensive and to burdening to make it happen. Its honestly cheaper, faster and eaiser to build, and get permits in most of the suburbs. Until we can tackle the building and permiting and licensing of buildings and their tenants this city will continue to grow [[or fade) slowly. Many believe that clearing way for new structures, providing parking for a development, or offering some kind of gap financing or tax credit/reduction will help to bring new buisnesses in the city. That may be true in the long run once we can tackle crime and perception, but I must re-iterate that we MUST make it eaiser to start and do buisness in the city. This should be the current adminstration's priority.

Hey, I'd like to build a house on the beach in Hawaii, but it is too difficult and expensive to do so. So I don't. The difference is that someone else like Gabby Reese will build that beach house, while in Detroit there is no one else who will take my place. That is because, for whatever reason you wish to ascribe to it, no one wants to have office buildings downtown. Thus, these buildings are not viable. I just explained this to the third grader I met, she was able to grasp the concept while few on here have made the cognitive leap.

[iheartthed]

Hey, I'd like to build a house on the beach in Hawaii, but it is too difficult and expensive to do so. So I don't. The difference is that someone else like Gabby Reese will build that beach house, while in Detroit there is no one else who will take my place. That is because, for whatever reason you wish to ascribe to it, no one wants to have office buildings downtown. Thus, these buildings are not viable. I just explained this to the third grader I met, she was able to grasp the concept while few on here have made the cognitive leap.

I'm not hungry right now. And I probably won't be hungry in the next thirty minutes either. Since neither myself nor anyone else will be eating the food in my refrigerator at this moment, I should just throw it all in the trash according to your logic.

[detmich]

I'm not hungry right now. And I probably won't be hungry in the next thirty minutes either. Since neither myself nor anyone else will be eating the food in my refrigerator at this moment, I should just throw it all in the trash according to your logic.

Just when I think that you can't get any dumber you prove me wrong.

[archytech]

Hey, I'd like to build a house on the beach in Hawaii, but it is too difficult and expensive to do so. So I don't. The difference is that someone else like Gabby Reese will build that beach house, while in Detroit there is no one else who will take my place. That is because, for whatever reason you wish to ascribe to it, no one wants to have office buildings downtown. Thus, these buildings are not viable. I just explained this to the third grader I met, she was able to grasp the concept while few on here have made the cognitive leap.

Sheesh...some people...Yeah, that's why I have clients who want to build downtown. Your third grader doesn't happen to be a developer, does she? I don't disagree that the demand isn't there, its just that many folks who try to get things built or started in this city have to be really connected or really shady...same thing basically.