Ilitch Proposes Stadium and Events Center

[jt1]

I guess it takes outside eyes to appreciate.

Or low expectations. The park itself is nice and it is a net benefit for downtown. I doubt anyone would argue that. The issue is that it is not integrated into anything else. It is an island that is vacant 284 days a year.

[bailey]

Old Tiger Stadium looked like shit to be honest, and the entertainment district looks far better than Corktown ever did.
.

Wow. ok. I think that statement will draw some strong comments.

I can only assume you're just trolling at this point.

[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.

[JVB]

The issue is that it is not integrated into anything else. It is an island that is vacant 284 days a year.

How many stadiums are better integrated into their surrounding area? I've been to stadiums all over the country and can't think of any.

Wow. ok. I think that statement will draw some strong comments.

I can only assume you're just trolling at this point.

If anyone thinks the old stadium was nicer than the new one they're probably thinking purely with emotions.

[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.

[rb336]

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

you haven't seen the hoards of ZOMBIES that come out as soon as the lights go out?

[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.

[Shollin]

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.

Gilbert didn't come along till after the stadiums were built and started developing lower Woodward. Is that not spinoff development? What about the development across 75 between Woodward and John R?

[JVB]

Anybody that isn't seeing the spinoff development isn't looking very hard. Downtown Detroit is a very different place than it was 12 years ago and the stadiums are a huge part of that.

[Eric_c]

Plus, who's to say he's not planning to use the existing buildings he's already mothballed? Detroit Life and United Artists come to mind as being pretty ripe for inclusion.

[gthomas]

Broderick Towers has apartments going for $5,000 or more just for the view of Comerica Park and the Detroit River.

[DetroitPlanner]

I can remember the first plans for Comerica Park. It too also included lots of additional stores, restaurants, and housing that was to be built on the land where the Elwood, Wolverine and Gem once stood. They were moved out of the way using taxpayers dollars for new development. Instead you got an expanded parking lot along Woodward.

Prior to that, there was to be a Little Italy built along Columbia with Cafes, Tratorias, and shops.

What I am saying is often times what is sold and what you get are two different things. Private businesses are not accountable, but they sure like to get as many tax dollars as possible.

[Detroitdave]

This is VERY GOOD NEWS even though I'm not the greatest Illitch fan , but he is doing some good for the city , now HEY MATTY PAY ATTENTION !!!!

[JVB]

Private businesses are not accountable, but they sure like to get as many tax dollars as possible.

Sure they are, they are accountable to customers wallets.

[Detroitdave]

HEY MATTY PAY ATTENTION THIS IS HOW IT'S DONE !
Mr Mouron could be a better city civic leader but he is a greedy SOB !

[canuck]

I think if you were to poll detroiters, and I mean regional detroiters say, you will probably get a 90%+ approval rate for a new stadium. The numbers may be off the charts employment wise, unless you figure in a wider district over time, but it is a good project for Detroit because it is downtown.

But frankly, it is really sad to think you have a big time Detroit player asking once again to gouge the public; fan and non attendant alike for a stadium when parts of the city are unlit and devoid of basic emergency services.

Detroit should not be pulled into this because everybody knows even cities like Miami with a successful tax roll has regrets over the leverage of stadium building it lost to Jeffrey Loria. A lot of stupid corrupt people wilfully fuck our cities everyday, it is so "in your face" that we can't see it anymore.

Put Illitch to the test; have him show some success at rebuilding retail, office condo use; a very simple down-to-earth test on his empty properties for a coupla years. Have him promise to do a bit of a turnaround à la Gilbert, and then maybe give him a medal good behavior down the road.

[JVB]

Is he asking for Detroit to help finance it? I didn't see that.

[Shollin]

Illitch really gouged tax payers by financing 68% of Comerica with the rest coming from hotel and car rental tax

[Gistok]

OK, a few observations... apparently many on this thread have NOT learned the lessons of Archer's riverfront casino fiasco... Ilitch likely did... don't do anything or announce anything until you have your ducks in a row... the riverfront failed because of speculators seeing $$$ signs in front of their eyes... and up went the land prices. Ilitch [[whom I'm still not happy with regarding the Madison Lenox and other destroyed buildings he owned) at least had the smarts not to further the development of many of his parcels... thus further driving up land costs.

The United Artists Building/Theatre will likely see new life, the Fine Arts Building [[ former Adams Theatre) facade will likely get a new building behind it, the Moose Lodge will likely see new entertainment life... and the Detroit Life Building will finally see some restoration work [[for those who complained about office space... I believe this is what was likely referred to, possibly also the UA/Fine Arts Buildings).

The cost of this $650 million project will get some state financing [[and maybe in some cases some Historic Preservation Tax Credits). But nobody's going to charge you money from your wallet. Likely they may do like they did for Comerica Park [[someone posted an incorrect answer to that funding here)... possibly money from State land gas lease, other state endowments money, tax credits... but not a Michigan resident tax increase [[hear that, it's not coming out of your wallet?).

And as for those who complain that he should have done more earlier... I cannot fault anyone for feeling that way. But the Ilitchs likely wanted to keep the area depressed for a reason that makes sense TO THEM... to keep speculators from going so high in their asking prices, that a project of this magnitude would not otherwise have been possible.

I don't like everything that the Ilitch's have done... but if they CONTINUE fixing up the UA Building AND Theatre, rebuild the Fine Arts Building, fix up Moose Hall and Detroit Life Building, do something with the Blenheim Apartments and the Eddystone and Detroit Light Buildings on the north end of the area... then I will give them the benefit of the doubt and just wait and see... rather than squack about it, or whine "pitty the poor tax payers"....

The ball is in his and the state's court...

P.S. I don't care for George Jackson all that much... but the Book Cadillac and Fort Shelby had his input... so I swallow that bitter pill when I would rather criticize him like many others here.

[downtownguy]

Plus, who's to say he's not planning to use the existing buildings he's already mothballed? Detroit Life and United Artists come to mind as being pretty ripe for inclusion.

HA!!! Ilitch polled his employees that had recently moved into the Fox in 1989 after he acquired the Blenheim and Varney Apartments and the Detroit Life Building. A large number of them said they would move into lofts or apartments behind the Fox if they were available. Well, he tore down the Varney Apartments to create more loading space for the theater. Other than that, he's done NOTHING.

With his resources and with so much momentum towards downtown housing, why on earth hasn't he moved ahead?

Just look at how beautiful these buildings are:

Blenheim Apartments

Detroit Life Building



From http://historicdetroit.org/building/...life-building/

In the late 1980s, as Mike Ilitch took on the renovation of the Fox Theatre, he also bought the Detroit Life Building and planned to demolish it for development or parking. Preservationists argued that the building was architecturally significant and structurally sound. In October 1988, Ilitch announced that he would spare the Detroit Life, Varney Apartments and Blenheim Apartments building.
At the time, Ilitch said he would use taxpayer money set aside by the Downtown Development Authority for razing buildings in the area — about $180,000 remained at the time — to rehabilitate the three into housing. He didn’t.
In 1997, the building was included in the Park Avenue Historic District.
A new roof was installed in 2005. On Jan. 12, 2006, Atanas Ilitch of Ilitch Holdings announced that the building would be renovated into office space.
As of August 2011, it remains closed.

Oh, and how's that promised new development at the site of the Madison-Lenox Hotel coming?

[Gistok]

Also... it's very possible that a part of this project could include some new buildings east [[near Comerica Park) and south of the Fox Theatre.

[downtownguy]

Old Tiger Stadium looked like shit to be honest, and the entertainment district looks far better than Corktown ever did.

It's funny to hear someone complain about Comerica Park because every visitor I've ever shown around Detroit always remarks at how beautiful it is and how well integrated it is into the downtown area. I guess it takes outside eyes to appreciate.

I suppose you think Wrigley Field is an eyesore that drags down Chicago, too?