Ilitch Proposes Stadium and Events Center

[dmike76]

"LANSING -- Officials from Mike Ilitch's Olympia Development Company are today outlining to state lawmakers plans for a $650 milllion-dollar mixed use development in downtown, anchored by a "new, state of the art, multi-purpose events center."

Eric Larson, non-executive president of Olympia Development, told the Senate Government Operations Committee the public-private development is expected to annually produce more than 1,000 jobsand $210 million in economic impact.

"The building of an events center district will create over 5,500 jobs for the events center alone and nearly 8,300 jobs for the first phase of the overall events district," Larson said.

He pegged the overall economic impact of the project at $1.8 billion.

Larson did confirm it would include a new home for the Detroit Red Wings but said it would involve much more than that. There is no timetable for breaking ground on the development, he said."

http://www.freep.com/article/2012120...text|FRONTPAGE

Discuss!

[Zozo]

Make it happen Mikey!

[Bham1982]

Apparently Illitch wants to lobby Lansing for cash for his "entertainment district", for the express purpose of raping Michigan taxpayers. Good luck with that!

[michimoby]

Apparently Illitch wants to lobby Lansing for cash for his "entertainment district", for the express purpose of raping Michigan taxpayers. Good luck with that!

You seem angry.

[dmike76]

Oh we're gonna pay. No doubt about it.

[unrealdetroit]

The obvious location choice has Woodward frontage.

[stinkytofu]

The obvious location choice has Woodward frontage.

Yep. My bet is NW intersection of I75/Woodward for many reasons.

I'll be blunt, I don't give a damn if my taxes go up because of this - I'll support it as long as it is well-thought out and continues the growth of downtown and midtown [[and helps connect the two). I'll be very interested when specifics for the proposed project come out.

[bailey]

Yep. My bet is NW intersection of I75/Woodward for many reasons.

I'll be blunt, I don't give a damn if my taxes go up because of this - I'll support it as long as it is well-thought out and continues the growth of downtown and midtown [[and helps connect the two). I'll be very interested when specifics for the proposed project come out.

Well, since the major player is Olympia... lets look at CoPa for an example of how they think this new development will look. Remember they said the same things about building a "district" back then too. What was built? A park set way back from Woodward with a parking lot out front. Awesome.

I'll be very interested when specifics for the proposed project come out.

You'll be waiting a long time.

From that article:

there is no timetable for breaking ground on the development....
A spokeswoman for the Ilitch organization said there were no estimates yet of how many residential units, retail shops, or office space would be involved. She described today’s media release as the beginning of a process to “explore the viability” of such a project.

This has all the hallmarks of M-1 rail announcements in the early days. Breathless press releases soon to be followed by snazzy CGI animations.....and a decade later no closer to a shovel in the ground.

Should probably also keep an eye out for how much Olympia will charge the City to keep the ice cold at the JLA for a decade or so after they abandon it.

[JVB]

Well, since the major player is Olympia... lets look at CoPa for an example of how they think this new development will look. Remember they said the same things about building a "district" back then too. What was built? A park set way back from Woodward with a parking lot out front. Awesome.

I haven't read the article yet, but Comerica Park is one of the most beautiful baseball stadiums in the country and brings A TON of foot traffic downtown 81+ days each year, and the way it opens up onto Adams is awesome. Sorry about the parking lot, but every stadium has them - 40,000 people don't just magically appear at the games out of thin air.

Besides, I would make the argument that having it set back off of Woodward makes it more attractive since you get a better look at it. Having a stadium towering over Woodward would probably look like shit to be honest.

[jt1]

You should probably read up on what was promised/pitched for his Columbia street entertainment district, etc and what actually happened.

Nobody can argue that Comerica park is great for downtown 81 days a year. In the same vein, nobody can argue that Comerica park [[and especially the Woodward facing parking lots) are a f'in nightmare for downtown the other 284 days a year.

Integrating into the city is not something Ilitch knows how or cares to do. Flat parking lots all over the place are as big a downtown killer as perception of crime.

[jt1]

http://www.freep.com/article/2012120...text|FRONTPAGE

Discuss!

Although this would be great for downtown [[and I do want it to happen) I can't help but think, "Bite me Ilitch"

Ilitch states," It's always been my dream to once again see a vibrant Downtown Detroit" all while he is the largest holder of empty, gravel/dirt covered lots and empty buildings.

He has done some good but Downtown would be much, much further along had he not played his three large areas of land against the remaining holdouts for the last two decades.

In the last 10-15 years he and the city have been the two biggest detriments to downtown improvements. But, hey, at least there are a lot of dirt parking lots that are open for Tigers games [[and nothing else)

[Mind field]

The economic spin off and job creation numbers seem very high. Over inflated.

[jt1]

The economic spin off and job creation numbers seem very high. Over inflated.

When you are a billionaire and go to politicians with hat in hand you have to offer up the appropriate lies [[Coming from someone that truly, truly wants something done)

[dmike76]

And....if you want to believe George Jackson, one of the most popular guys on this forum......[[from MLIVE)

“This plan makes good business sense for two reasons,” George W. Jackson, Jr., president and CEO of Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, said in the release. “First, it’s not a plan for an isolated, single-use structure. Instead, it builds on the clear successes we’ve already had downtown integrating districts that feature entertainment, and support commercial, retail and residential development around them. Second, it doesn’t impose any new tax burdens; it simply continues a program for retiring debt related to economic development. It’s hard to argue with that.”

[jt1]

And....if you want to believe George Jackson, one of the most popular guys on this forum......[[from MLIVE)

“This plan makes good business sense for two reasons,” George W. Jackson, Jr., president and CEO of Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, said in the release. “First, it’s not a plan for an isolated, single-use structure. Instead, it builds on the clear successes we’ve already had downtown integrating districts that feature entertainment, and support commercial, retail and residential development around them. Second, it doesn’t impose any new tax burdens; it simply continues a program for retiring debt related to economic development. It’s hard to argue with that.”

If George Jackson's on board the plan is probably horrific.

[bailey]

If George Jackson's on board the plan is probably horrific.

+1. What ever plan he has... do the opposite.

Why is Comerica Park a nightmare when games aren't being played?

Because it's a giant dead zone in the middle of the "entertainment district" 284 days a year.

[dmike76]

Is it possible that the public may have more leverage than in the past? Illitch has got to be pretty desperate to get out of that pit called JLA and the public seems like it's pretty tired of paying for his projects. Perhaps there's a chance that he would have to pony up a bit more cash than he did for Comerica Park? Actually, I can't remember what the actual deal was with Comerica.

[Shollin]

Is it possible that the public may have more leverage than in the past? Illitch has got to be pretty desperate to get out of that pit called JLA and the public seems like it's pretty tired of paying for his projects. Perhaps there's a chance that he would have to pony up a bit more cash than he did for Comerica Park? Actually, I can't remember what the actual deal was with Comerica.

Illitch paid 68% of Comerica. The rest was paid through hotel and car rental tax.

[southen]

downtown has changed enough since copa was built for illitch to actually put money into creating a district and not a stadium isolated by parking. i liken this to signing prince fielder. the guy doesnt have much time left, time to start thinking about his legacy.

[Lowell]

I toldja so Skulker. Pay up.

[401don]

Imagine, a multi-purpose arena that hosts concerts and other events, thus making it an entertainment zone. Is there such a thing as a single purpose arena? The employment numbers always include everyone who is already working in the existing arena, parking lots, etc. It would be nice to know the proposed net gain and how they arrive at those numbers but that's never explained. Retail means souvenir shops until we hear differently.
Ilitch could have received a lot better feedback if he released details before going public.

[gthomas]

This is my whole argument:

The building of the new district is anticipated to create approximately 5,500 jobs for the events center alone and approximately 8,300 jobs for the entire residential and commercial mixed-use district. Michigan can anticipate an estimated economic impact of $1.8 billion from the completion of this district.

Case studies throughout the country reveal the most successful districts include a public-private partnership that support a balance of residential, business, education, cultural, sports and entertainment activities embedded with public spaces.
“Leadership in communities such as Columbus [[OH), Los Angeles, San Diego and Indianapolis have shown how prudently created partnerships can create new downtown neighborhoods and spur growth in the population and increase the levels of activity and vitality in central cities,” said Professor Mark S. Rosentraub, University of Michigan. “In those cases, districts anchored by events centers led to the creation of financially viable and successful new neighborhoods that are economically and socially integrated.”

While the exact location of the district has not been determined, it will be strategically located to serve some of the most underutilized areas in Detroit’s downtown core, strengthening the link between Detroit’s existing assets through a continuous, walkable environment connecting one district to the next and serving to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

[Shollin]

What do they mean by events center? I hope there is some way to link the Massonic Temple and the Motor City Casino. Perhaps a pedestrian plaza over the Lodge connecting the district.

[rb336]

pretty sure "events center" = "new arena"

[401don]

This is my whole argument:

The building of the new district is anticipated to create approximately 5,500 jobs for the events center alone and approximately 8,300 jobs for the entire residential and commercial mixed-use district. Michigan can anticipate an estimated economic impact of $1.8 billion from the completion of this district.

Case studies throughout the country reveal the most successful districts include a public-private partnership that support a balance of residential, business, education, cultural, sports and entertainment activities embedded with public spaces.
“Leadership in communities such as Columbus [[OH), Los Angeles, San Diego and Indianapolis have shown how prudently created partnerships can create new downtown neighborhoods and spur growth in the population and increase the levels of activity and vitality in central cities,” said Professor Mark S. Rosentraub, University of Michigan. “In those cases, districts anchored by events centers led to the creation of financially viable and successful new neighborhoods that are economically and socially integrated.”

While the exact location of the district has not been determined, it will be strategically located to serve some of the most underutilized areas in Detroit’s downtown core, strengthening the link between Detroit’s existing assets through a continuous, walkable environment connecting one district to the next and serving to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Sounds like the same argument used to build Comerica and Ford Field. There hasn't been near the spin-off that was promised. I'm pro building a new arena. I'm just tired of the same old arguments exagerrating economic benefits. Why is office space part of the project? Why hasn't Ilitch renovated his existing empty buildings into office/residential the past 10 yrs. the way Gilbert has. It just seems this project should be a lot further along than feeling out the public for gov't money at this point.