State Savings Bank in Danger of Demolition

[Bucket]

Release from Preservation Detroit.

This building is in danger of being demolished by a private developer and turned into a surface parking lot.

[Spartan]

again...

[[parking structure, not lot). This is one of those things that keeps me from supporting the MLS plans too much. The Apostolopouloses don't have a good pedigree around here

[royce]

Some people are hell bent on getting parking for their developments at all costs. Is dedicated parking for the Penobscot really needed to make it successful? At this point in the downtown area no new parking decks should be built unless they are going to be on former surface lots. Remember this is the same group that can't do anything with the Silverdome but wants to build a soccer stadium on the new Wayne County jail site. They sound like swell guys.

[stinkytofu]

Take action
We have a chance to stand up for this building and for the heritage that connects us to our city. Please join Preservation Detroit in opposing the demolition of the State Savings Bank.

• Attend the HDC meeting on August 14 at 5:30 p.m. and speak out!

13th Floor Auditorium, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226

• Write to the Historic District Commission:

Detroit Historic District Commission
65 Cadillac Square – 13th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226
Fax letters to: [[313) 224-1310
For questions, contact the Commission’s staff: Crystal Wilson, wilsoncr@detroitmi.gov, [[313) 224-6536

• Email the developer and advocate for adaptive reuse of the State Savings Bank

Steve Apostolopoulos, managing partner, Triple Group
Twitter: @SteveApost
Email: info@tripleproperties.com

• Post on the Historic District Commission’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DetroitHist...rictCommission
• Share this message with friends, family, and fellow preservationists
• Become a member of Preservation Detroit and help us protect Detroit’s invaluable built heritage

[nain rouge]

If Dan Gilbert, Mike Illitch, et al. are truly determined to save downtown Detroit, a concerted effort should be made to jointly fund several "mega" parking garages [[a la Greektown Casino) on currently empty lots, maybe even integrating the garages with the People Mover. You'd have to think some long-term saving costs could be realized vs. buying up additional properties, paying lawyers to deal with the concerns of preservationists, and shelling out additional monies for demolition and repaving. Hell, it might even boost the value of adjoining investments for the city's patron businessmen.

But what do I know? I'm no billionaire. They can probably get the City of Detroit to pick up most of their tabs, anyway.

[jt1]

If Dan Gilbert, Mike Illitch, et al. are truly determined to save downtown Detroit, a concerted effort should be made to jointly fund several "mega" parking garages [[a la Greektown Casino) on currently empty lots, maybe even integrating the garages with the People Mover. You'd have to think some long-term saving costs could be realized vs. buying up additional properties, paying lawyers to deal with the concerns of preservationists, and shelling out additional monies for demolition and repaving. Hell, it might even boost the value of adjoining investments for the city's patron businessmen.

But what do I know? I'm no billionaire. They can probably get the City of Detroit to pick up most of their tabs, anyway.

That's not even necessary. There isn't a lack of parking, there is a lack of open parking lots or parking decks decicated to a single building. There are more than ample spaces to support the daytime business crowd and the nightime event crowd but the concept of decks dedicated to one use at one point in time is the big problem

[iheartthed]

It's well past time the city put a moratorium on new parking construction in the CBD. The very thing which makes downtown Detroit competitive is being destroyed in a foolish attempt to make it more convenient. It defeats the purpose.

[Kathleen]

Curbed Detroit coverage...

State Savings Bank Owner Files Petition For Demo

[Spartan]

That's not even necessary. There isn't a lack of parking, there is a lack of open parking lots or parking decks decicated to a single building. There are more than ample spaces to support the daytime business crowd and the nightime event crowd but the concept of decks dedicated to one use at one point in time is the big problem

This is not true, parking is packed all throughout the business district. People from Quicken park up in New Center because there isn't enough garages. Even the surface lots are pretty much filled up with some exceptions up in Illitchville and DTE area. Even so, some businesses will not offer their employees parking in surface lots [[security, mainly). There are plenty of empty surface lots that could, and should, be converted to garages [[like the z-lot development).

[Cliffy]

These guys are deadbeat owners. First the Silverdome and now they want to tear down a historic building for a parking lot. These people don't have the financial capital to develop. They are in here to buy cheap buildings and either flip them or demolish them for parking.

[Patrick]

These guys are deadbeat owners. First the Silverdome and now they want to tear down a historic building for a parking lot. These people don't have the financial capital to develop. They are in here to buy cheap buildings and either flip them or demolish them for parking.

Pretty much, but I bet he'll get his way. I don't think there is much that can be done to save that amazing building. Seems like that guy is hellbent on making a buck.

[Eric_c]

Note the time and date and feel free to quote me: This building isn't going anywhere. End of discussion.

[Hamtragedy]

This is not true, parking is packed all throughout the business district. People from Quicken park up in New Center because there isn't enough garages. Even the surface lots are pretty much filled up with some exceptions up in Illitchville and DTE area. Even so, some businesses will not offer their employees parking in surface lots [[security, mainly). There are plenty of empty surface lots that could, and should, be converted to garages [[like the z-lot development).

I'm not buying it. Downtown takes a total of 10 minutes to walk accross. Try walking. Or ride your bike. Pretend you work in an urban setting.

[southen]

i dont see this building coming down. downtown is on the upswing. retail spaces are beginning to fill up and gilbert is completely renovating the building across the street to include retail as well. there has never been a better time to own the savings and dime building. add to that that it is structural sound and on the historical registry and its here to stay. its one thing to knock down the charlevoix or other buildings that were crumbling, but this building is in great shape. if the guy can float a 1 billion dollar plan for another part of downtown he sure as hell can buy a nearby lot to build a parking garage.

[Gistok]

I agree southen.... this building is not derelect or in danger of collapsing [[as was the lame excuse for the demolition of the Madison-Lenox). Even Mike Ilitch when he razed the Adams Theatre, and the already collapsing Fine Arts building entrance to the theatre, the Detroit Historical Commission [[and others) made him keep and stabilize the facade. And even the Women's Exchange Building on East Adams was spared demolition, although under different circumstances.

[wolverine]

This is not true, parking is packed all throughout the business district. People from Quicken park up in New Center because there isn't enough garages. Even the surface lots are pretty much filled up with some exceptions up in Illitchville and DTE area. Even so, some businesses will not offer their employees parking in surface lots [[security, mainly). There are plenty of empty surface lots that could, and should, be converted to garages [[like the z-lot development).

Consolidated parking in the long run is much better. People need exercise and walking to work 3-4 blocks from a centralized parking facility should be a MUST for all healthy people. It's a great way to start your day or cool down after work and be a part of the community you work in. This will help with street level retail and cafes.

I don't think safety should be an issue walking a couple blocks to your car either. During most business hours, the downtown seems busy and free of incidents. At night, most sensible companies will cover the cost of cab fare to your vehicle from the office.

I'm just tired of hearing these silly excuses of buildings needing to be marketable by having some parking on site. That's stupid. Your building is low in tenants because it sucks. Maybe your elevators are slow as hell, your offices look dated, your build outs are too expensive because of code issues or your infrastructure is aged.

[Scottathew]

If Dan Gilbert, Mike Illitch, et al. are truly determined to save downtown Detroit, a concerted effort should be made to jointly fund several "mega" parking garages [[a la Greektown Casino) on currently empty lots, maybe even integrating the garages with the People Mover.

Gilbert is already doing this. He's building a Z-Shaped parking garage on the site of former surface parking lots in the Broadway, Gratiot, Library, Grand River block. It's not just some empty promise, the structure broke ground earlier this year and is nearly complete. It's 10 parking stories tall and has retail space on the first level.

The "Z Site" is adjacent to a People Mover stop and is within easy walking distance of Comerica Park.

http://www.bedrockmgt.com/properties/front.php?id=22

[Bucket]

Reminder that the petition to demolish this building will be on the agenda at the Detroit Historic District Commission meeting tonight - August 14, 2013 -- in the Committee of the Whole Room, 13th floor, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, [[former City County Building) beginning at 5:30 PM.

If you want your voice to be heard on this issue, now is your chance.

[Gorath]

State Savings Bank demolition denied by DHDC.

http://www.mlive.com/business/detroi...rict_comm.html

[royce]

Great news. To Triple whatever, "Sell the building if you don't know what to do with it but tear it down." Very short-sighted view.

[Gistok]

Great news, I hope they sell the building... since Mr. Apostolopouloses has no appreciation for such a historic building.

A few things about the building...

When it was first built in 1900, the 2 columns on either side of the entranceway are each single blocks of marble weighing [[IIRC) 56,000 lb. each, and were brought to Detroit by ship. While they were brought up Shelby St. by horse drawn wagons, the extreme weight of the columns collapsed a sewer line under the street.

Also, back when Silvers was still in the building, a study was done, and the building foundation and structure were strong enough to withstand a 20 story hotel tower atop the base. This was under consideration at the time, but never came to fruition.

[313rd]

Even after the Z-Deck is completed, Gilbert will still not have enough parking within a couple of blocks for his family of companies. Like mentioned above they are parking in New Center, also in Corktown [[The lots off of 6th between Howard and Porter) completely filled with Quicken people. There are a ton of those white shuttle buses, moving the herd of employees around town. Also there is a lot at SW corner of Michigan and Trumbull that is full everyday that shuttles people downtown.

[Bham1982]

This is not true, parking is packed all throughout the business district. People from Quicken park up in New Center because there isn't enough garages

That's absurd and quite obviously not true. If it were true, why wouldn't all those folks just park for free close by at one of the casinos, instead of 3 miles away? The MGM Garage is never close to being fully utilized, ever.

There's plenty of available parking downtown. Even on dates when Comerica and Ford Field are both being utilized, there is no problem as long as you're willing to go to the more fringe lots. And on normal weekdays, no problem at all.

I have never heard of someone having trouble finding a parking place downtown. Even last year, when I went to a sold out Comerica, there was some country-fest thing in Ford Field, and they had the African American day at Hart Plaza, it was totally easy.

[Bham1982]

I'm just tired of hearing these silly excuses of buildings needing to be marketable by having some parking on site. That's stupid. Your building is low in tenants because it sucks. Maybe your elevators are slow as hell, your offices look dated, your build outs are too expensive because of code issues or your infrastructure is aged.

No, actually, these building owners know what they're talking about. No dedicated parking, no tenants. There's no healthy downtown office building without dedicated parking.

[sumas]

I have worked downtown extensively over the years. Always did perimeter parking, being cheap.

All I can say is people need to learn to walk again.