Old Tiger Stadium Site as an all African American Entertainment Complex

**Newdetroit** · May-28-13, 08:25 PM

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/...nment-complex/

Hmm? In my opinion, this seems to be a reaction against the perceived threat of white suburbanites coming into the city and changing its character. I didn't know that any restaurants in Midtown or Downtown did not cater to all races.

**innercitydoc** · May-28-13, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by Newdetroit

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/...nment-complex/

Hmm? In my opinion, this seems to be a reaction against the perceived threat of white suburbanites coming into the city and changing its character. I didn't know that any restaurants in Midtown or Downtown did not cater to all races.

This title is misleading. First, African culture is not African American culture. To explain the differences would be exhaustive. Secondly, where does it state that other races are not welcome? Actually it states just the opposite: "Although the complex will be urban focused, DeMonique said patrons of all backgrounds will be welcomed and embraced."

I think its a good idea because there isn't a large presence of African and Caribbean cuisine in the city. It's just too ambitious and I'm not sure Tiger Stadium is the right location..

**Johnnny5** · May-28-13, 09:52 PM

Worst idea ever!

**ghettopalmetto** · May-28-13, 09:57 PM

You can't really stop a developer from recruiting the tenants he wants. But it'll be interesting to see how he doesn't end up in court.

The bigger problem is that this fella is proposing a self-contained entertainment bunker [[akin to the Ren Cen) in the heart of the city. To me, that "lift the spirits" line is tantamount to utter bullshit.

**Newdetroit** · May-28-13, 10:02 PM

“I love this city and I believe in this city. I’ve put a lot of effort into it and my company, which is Urban Café Corporation, we are dedicated to being a part of the new face of Detroit. This may be just the first African-American development built from the ground up,” he said.

There is nothing wrong with the idea. However, it states "first African-American development".. and not sure if he was referring to his company "being a part of the new face of Detroit": or was he referring to African Americans being a part of the new face of Detroit.

**Newdetroit** · May-28-13, 10:08 PM

After reading it more carefully, it seems he was saying African American development to refer to Americans with recent origins from Africa.

**Jason** · May-28-13, 10:11 PM

What does Detroit have to do with Africa [[other than Coleman Young's krugerrands)?

Nothing in the article indicates that these plans are credible, and the plans themselves are a bad idea. I think it's only gotten attention because "african themed development" and "tiger stadium site".

**D_Town** · May-28-13, 10:26 PM

Interesting. I thought it would end up being a mix use site with retail/restaurants/residential with 2/3 level buildings and a parking garage.

**wolverine** · May-28-13, 11:10 PM

Well there are Chinatown Malls and hotels proposed regularly in US cities that cater to culture of Chinese food, clothing, and services owned and managed by Chinese Americans. And some of them do get built and do very well when they have good financial backing.

I think the biggest issues are whether this project has a whole lot of research behind it. Maybe it does, but even their website has the square footage wrong. "Several thousand sqft" sounds horribly wrong when it should be hundred thousand. Then there's market conditions for a place that tends to sound luxury to me. Is there demand?

Next, for a place that celebrates African cultural history, the spirit of those renderings suggest a building that's insular. The most wonderful thing about experiencing different cultures and ethnic backgrounds in America is encountering them by surprise. You walk through a neighborhood or pass by a certain restaurant or bakery. Culture isn't celebrated in self contained structures made of glass, rather on the streets or a row of businesses.

I'd love to see those funds go toward rehabbing commercial buildings where people live instead of one central building that's technically remote to almost everyone.

**royce** · May-29-13, 02:00 AM

I agree, Wolverine, that building a self-contained structure does a disservice to capturing the spirit of the culture, whatever it might be. The beauty of Greektown is that you can walk along the sidewide and peer into the storefronts and restaurants to get a sampling of what's available. If you see something you like, you go in. In a self-contained structure, if you don't know what to expect because you can't see it while passing by, especially walking, the sense of uncertainty and apprehension might be too much for some people and they choose to drive by than to go in.

**Honky Tonk** · May-29-13, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by Newdetroit

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/...nment-complex/

Hmm? In my opinion, this seems to be a reaction against the perceived threat of white suburbanites coming into the city and changing its character. I didn't know that any restaurants in Midtown or Downtown did not cater to all races.

As long as it doesn't need to be continually subsidized with City money to keep it's doors open.

**Zacha341** · May-29-13, 06:28 AM

Hah! Didn't we have something called 'Autorama' and well we see what happened to that. GONE! I don't think this kind of thing will be successful.

Originally Posted by royce

I agree, Wolverine, that building a self-contained structure does a disservice to capturing the spirit of the culture, whatever it might be. The beauty of Greektown is that you can walk along the sidewide and peer into the storefronts and restaurants to get a sampling of what's available...

**Zacha341** · May-29-13, 06:29 AM

I don't share that reaction. My increasing reaction, real and not perceived is to the rising crime in the city. Not who's moving in!

Originally Posted by Newdetroit

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/05/...nment-complex/

Hmm? In my opinion, this seems to be a reaction against the perceived threat of white suburbanites coming into the city and changing its character. I didn't know that any restaurants in Midtown or Downtown did not cater to all races.

**DetroitPlanner** · May-29-13, 08:25 AM

Not a bad idea, of course I'd rather see them select another site along Michigan and keep the ball field. Maybe the train station?

**canuck** · May-29-13, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by royce

I agree, Wolverine, that building a self-contained structure does a disservice to capturing the spirit of the culture, whatever it might be. The beauty of Greektown is that you can walk along the sidewide and peer into the storefronts and restaurants to get a sampling of what's available. If you see something you like, you go in. In a self-contained structure, if you don't know what to expect because you can't see it while passing by, especially walking, the sense of uncertainty and apprehension might be too much for some people and they choose to drive by than to go in.

You can also the witness the longwinded success of the Eastern Market based on openness also. If the concept is to achieve African characteristics, the idea of openness is even more relevant. But again as wolverine says, The importance of using existing structures should be topmost in any developer's mind.

**piczka** · May-29-13, 09:16 AM

The entire city is an African American Entertainment Complex.

**Spartan** · May-29-13, 10:04 AM

Just a friendly reminder: https://twitter.com/AvoidComments

Holy racism Batman!

**Wesley Mouch** · May-29-13, 11:12 AM

Don't see any reason why she can't do this right now, if she has money. More likely she does not, and is drumming up support so she can get money.

I don't see how a high-rise building that looks like it wants to be a casino is necessary to celebrate African culture. And I see zero about why she is qualified for a job in the cafe, let alone to be a developer.

This feels like a plea for cash from those in government who like giving taxpayer money away. Maybe Mr. Orr is feeling generous and will support this idea.

**DetroitPlanner** · May-29-13, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

Don't see any reason why she can't do this right now, if she has money. More likely she does not, and is drumming up support so she can get money.

Except she is a he.

**Zacha341** · May-29-13, 11:55 AM

Hah! I knew someone was eventually going to go 'there'...

Originally Posted by piczka

The entire city is an African American Entertainment Complex.

**RickBeall** · May-29-13, 11:57 AM

I'm all for it! Just don't build it there. All people want there is a little ballpark. Some grass. Chalk lines.

**bailey** · May-29-13, 11:59 AM

wasn't this already pretty much covered by the whole Africa-town thing?

**Detroitnerd** · May-29-13, 12:01 PM

Great idea.

First of all, think of all the goodwill created by sealing a sweetheart deal to build a complex that nobody in Corktown seems to want or need! The community will obviously welcome it with open arms.

Then there's the public relations master stroke of dedicating the complex, sited on the racial fault line of Tigers politics, to African immigrants. Amazing idea!

Then there's the time-tested plan of creating an enormous single-purpose space for an untested market.

This plan has so much going for it. I hope it is immediately approved and given a generous subsidy.

**poobert** · May-29-13, 12:03 PM

It is absurd that this is being reported on. The only information about this scheme is on a poorly-written facebook page hails it as "savant grade" design, and an apparently now-defunct website.

Here are more nuggets of brilliance. Most of it is unintelligible when you get to the "information release":
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Urban...822907&sk=info

So some goofball in NW Detroit thinks of himself as the next Donald Trump and makes a facebook page and it makes the news?

Then there is the additional fact that the idea itself is idiotic.

I'm going to start a company called Spacely Sprockets at the old Packard plant site. It will look really crazy, provide billions of jobs, and lift the spirits of the people. Where is my interview? More importantly, where is my money? I love Detroit, you see. Artist rendering: http://wizzard.com/bm2010/Images/med...ySprockets.jpg

**Honky Tonk** · May-29-13, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by poobert

It is absurd that this is being reported on. The only information about this scheme is on a poorly-written facebook page hails it as "savant grade" design, and an apparently now-defunct website.

Here are more nuggets of brilliance. Most of it is unintelligible when you get to the "information release":
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Urban...822907&sk=info

So some goofball in NW Detroit thinks of himself as the next Donald Trump and makes a facebook page and it makes the news?

Then there is the additional fact that the idea itself is idiotic.

I'm going to start a company called Spacely Sprockets at the old Packard plant site. It will look really crazy, provide billions of jobs, and lift the spirits of the people. Where is my interview? More importantly, where is my money? I love Detroit, you see. Artist rendering: http://wizzard.com/bm2010/Images/med...ySprockets.jpg

Clever. You've TOTALLY gotten around the land contamination issue. Where do I send my money?