United Artists Theatre

**stasu1213** · September-20-09, 06:08 PM

If the UA is made into a performance building with live shows on the first level and movies on the other level it would bring the foot traffic back downtown. It would also be another stop for the people mover. Just imagine; The people mover is used to stop at every important venue downtown. The RenCen, The UA, Greektown, Cobo Hall, Rosa Parks Transit CEnter[[where people could catch the biofuel bus leaving the venues downtown and going home) etc. The people mover would live up to it's purpose.Retail could probably be in the UA building also. Like a mini mall or something. I think Grand Circus Park will make a comeback.

**Russix** · September-20-09, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by stasu1213

If the UA is made into a performance building with live shows on the first level and movies on the other level it would bring the foot traffic back downtown. It would also be another stop for the people mover. Just imagine; The people mover is used to stop at every important venue downtown. The RenCen, The UA, Greektown, Cobo Hall, Rosa Parks Transit CEnter[[where people could catch the biofuel bus leaving the venues downtown and going home) etc. The people mover would live up to it's purpose.Retail could probably be in the UA building also. Like a mini mall or something. I think Grand Circus Park will make a comeback.

It's a full city block away from the GCP station. Maybe they should get rid of the train and put in a conveyor belt.

Stosh · September-20-09, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Russix

It's a full city block away from the GCP station. Maybe they should get rid of the train and put in a conveyor belt.

Or better yet, a catapult.
Live performances and movies would pale by comparison.

**jcole** · September-20-09, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by Stosh

Or better yet, a catapult.
Live performances and movies would pale by comparison.

That could be the new mass transit for the city. A trebuchet on every corner.

**mcsdetroitfriend** · September-21-09, 01:23 AM

here's hoping that this is some real news and not some asshole making things up =)

*Crossing my fingers for good measure*

**mallory** · September-22-09, 07:46 AM

hornwrecker,

Where did you find that b&w night shot of the UA? What a great picture! I figure it was taken in 1946 since that is when "Zeigfeld Follies" with Judy Garland was released. I think you credited WSU for the picture. Are those online or at their library? Great find!

**Hornwrecker** · September-22-09, 11:49 AM

That's at Wayne's Virtual Motor City: http://dlxs.lib.wayne.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?c=vmc

Do a search for Bagley.

**casscorridor** · September-22-09, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by stasu1213

If the UA is made into a performance building with live shows on the first level and movies on the other level it would bring the foot traffic back downtown. It would also be another stop for the people mover. Just imagine; The people mover is used to stop at every important venue downtown. The RenCen, The UA, Greektown, Cobo Hall, Rosa Parks Transit CEnter[[where people could catch the biofuel bus leaving the venues downtown and going home) etc. The people mover would live up to it's purpose.Retail could probably be in the UA building also. Like a mini mall or something. I think Grand Circus Park will make a comeback.

Sounds great, but I highly doubt this development would make Grand Circus have a comeback, much less Downtown [[now, i recognize downtown has already had quite a comeback since the 1990s, but when I mean a real comback, i mean where streets are filled with people, and the population is double or triple the size, and everything is within walking distance... including all of one's groceries). Much progress has already been made-- new stadiums, restaurants, shops, ammenities, lofts, etc. but it is still nowhere near being where it ought to be.

Redevelopment of UA would be great, but by no means a silver bullet. I doubt it would even have as big effect as the Book Cadillac [[unless, perhaps there was a major movie theatre located there... a second theatre for downtown). There is still dozens of empty parcels surrounding the UA building, and I doubt even if the building was redeveloped the area would look vibrant with all those empty lots.

So although big projects, like the Stadiums and Book Cadillac, Compuware, etc are important and lead to more development, if that is all there is, those gains will be quickly undone. Instead, focus should be placed on developing small scale buildings [[2-6 stories), and filling in ALL empty lots to restore the street wall. Encouraging small shops to open providing needed services such as dentists, doctors, dry cleaners, grocery stores, pharmacies, coffee shops, video rentals, clothiers, shoe stores, etc, etc. Putting focus on this is not popular with our leaders, as they are drawn toward big flashy projects such as the casinos. But the real comeback will come when we have a 24 hr, 7 day a week, 365 days a year Downtown that offers every good and service one would need within walking distance.

Making it easy for small businesses to open is essential, as is a health mix of locally-owned, francised, and corporate owned stores. Prove to national retailers that Downtown is a viable place to do buisiness. They won't be convinced by a new stadium or casino, or renovated building. They'll be convince when they see the sidewalks filled with people.

Focusing on small scale development would also mean that development would spread out from Downtown into surrounding neighborhoods faster. Instead of building a 30 story skyscrapper, build 6 five story buildings.... which would have MUCH more effect as it fills in the empty lots that severely hurt the viablity of our Downtown.