Could we see new Redwing Arena renderings wednesday [[4/9/14)?

[CrashDummy]

And while I am making wishes, let's see Olympia sell it's Woodward Avenue parking lagoons by Comerica Park to Dan Gilbert or some other developer. Build 8-15 story buildings with roof decks that peer onto the CoPa field. Consolidate the Parking with a new garage on the surface lot abutting the Fisher.

I think this wish is not so far fetched. These lots are included within the "entertainment district" boundaries along with the lot at the northeast corner of GCP. They would likely need to be much higher buildings to see onto the field from those Woodward lots, though.

[Lombaowski]

I like the American Airlines Arena quite a bit, very cozy. Columbus' arena, the new Consol in Pittsburgh, and the Verizon Center are all nice hockey houses. Something with the acoustics of the Sharktank in San Jose is a must IMO, I really hope the acoustics are a major consideration. The Joe has many faults, but the acoustics are undeniably great.

[emu steve]

I think this wish is not so far fetched. These lots are included within the "entertainment district" boundaries along with the lot at the northeast corner of GCP. They would likely need to be much higher buildings to see onto the field from those Woodward lots, though.

I hope the new arena has folks, mostly Ilitch, looking through their portfolio of properties all around the area of Comerica, Fox, immediate arena area, etc. and start to think about developing it.

Because the arena plans took so many years to come to fruition no one would really develop anything and most of the land was held by Ilitch or the city for an arena anyways.

As Gistok has pointed out many times, Ilitch was forced to acquire land in several location [[behind the Fox, and on Woodward) hoping to acquire all that he needed. It wasn't easy.

Good news: The big 2008 economic downturn is over, development is happening in CBD, Downtown, and Midtown, so time for some great things to happen.

[animatedmartian]

-All parking garages, no surface lots… possibly. I mean, look at JLA-- it did great with just a few garages nearby

That's because it was directly connected to the people mover. Illitch wants to have his stadium next to an M1 Rail station. You don't need as much parking at the location if people can just park somewhere else and hop on a train to get to the stadium/whatever else. That's one of the benefits to mass transit that people don't seem to realize; less/more spread out parking garages!

[emu steve]

That's because it was directly connected to the people mover. Illitch wants to have his stadium next to an M1 Rail station. You don't need as much parking at the location if people can just park somewhere else and hop on a train to get to the stadium/whatever else. That's one of the benefits to mass transit that people don't seem to realize; less/more spread out parking garages!

For weeknight events [[for workers downtown), park, work, eat, M-1 to the arena and M-1 back to the car? drive home.

That woud certainly cut the parking by half [[park the car once, not twice).

[gthomas]

I know everybody wants to see something similar to the "The old barn aka Olympia Arena". I'm tired of these fake brick panels and bland designs for our arenas. All of our stadiums and baseball fields are the same...boring. We need to think outside the box here and get something glitzy and modern. Period.

We need some WOW factors in this region. Atlanta falcons new stadium renovation is what I'm looking for as far as design. Out with the old, in with the new!

[animatedmartian]

I know everybody wants to see something similar to the "The old barn aka Olympia Arena". I'm tired of these fake brick panels and bland designs for our arenas. All of our stadiums and baseball fields are the same...boring. We need to think outside the box here and get something glitzy and modern. Period.

We need some WOW factors in this region. Atlanta falcons new stadium renovation is what I'm looking for as far as design. Out with the old, in with the new!

Glitzy is also more expensive. Have you seen the price tag for the Falcon's new stadium? Wow factor don't come cheap.

Though I sort of agree that Detroit needs some really landmark contemporary architecture. Everything built after One Detroit Center has been pretty meh. Nice, but meh.

[gthomas]

Glitzy is also more expensive. Have you seen the price tag for the Falcon's new stadium? Wow factor don't come cheap.

Though I sort of agree that Detroit needs some really landmark contemporary architecture. Everything built after One Detroit Center has been pretty meh. Nice, but meh.

Yes, I agree. We've been building and renovating and not a project seems to WOW me yet, COBO came close. The reason it hasn't got me excited as much is due to no convention hotel being part of the plan.

I really hope the Hudson block and Bate Garage site really change our skyline and set a new standard for further development.

Everything is so "meh" lately, I'm all for development but let's become more creative. The new Red Wings arena needs to set that standard.

[rb336]

We need some WOW factors in this region. Atlanta falcons new stadium renovation is what I'm looking for as far as design. Out with the old, in with the new!

You mean the one with the roof that looks like my grandma's old coin purse?

[wolverine]

I know everybody wants to see something similar to the "The old barn aka Olympia Arena". I'm tired of these fake brick panels and bland designs for our arenas. All of our stadiums and baseball fields are the same...boring. We need to think outside the box here and get something glitzy and modern. Period.

We need some WOW factors in this region. Atlanta falcons new stadium renovation is what I'm looking for as far as design. Out with the old, in with the new!

I don't mind the vintage designs, but I say that with some apprehension. I think the historic interpretations on most of the new ballparks is pretty awful. You're right, the giant brick precast panels and clunky proportions fall short of true intentions. There's a shortlist of ballparks done nice with the retro look, but not many.

I also don't like the contemporary blobs either. I wan't something modern and innovative, but scaled well with the surroundings and a good urban street presence. It would be nice if stadiums could better contribute to the daily commercial functions of a city, not just during games.

[emu steve]

Question [[and I guess that bumps this thread. Good thing. )

Essentially, is the next step for someone [[I'm not really sure who) to issue bonds for the 'public' financing component of the arena costs ?

Once the bonds are sold, is it, 'groundbreaking time?"

I assume there are no more legal [[including regulatory) or financial challenges remaining. Correct???

[Gistok]

Um yes I do believe there is a legal hurdle... IF the Eddystone and Harbor Lights Buildings are proposed for demolition, then there has to be a review process in front of the Detroit Historic District Commission. It's not a done deal...

These are the same folks who told Ilitch that when he proposed tearing down the Fine Arts Building on W. Adams, that the facade could not be torn down....

Both buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, so there are hurdles before demolition can take place.

[emu steve]

Um yes I do believe there is a legal hurdle... IF the Eddystone and Harbor Lights Buildings are proposed for demolition, then there has to be a review process in front of the Detroit Historic District Commission. It's not a done deal...

These are the same folks who told Ilitch that when he proposed tearing down the Fine Arts Building on W. Adams, that the facade could not be torn down....

Both buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, so there are hurdles before demolition can take place.

I hear you but am going to spin it thusly:

I ASSUME that those two buildings are not part of the arena footprint and are not scheduled for any immediate redevelopment/development.

Quite frankly, I assume other than the arena and maybe in 12+ months start work on a parking garage, the remaining development will proceed on a 'leisurely schedule' with activity starting near the completion date of the arena.

[emu steve]

I hear you but am going to spin it thusly:

I ASSUME that those two buildings are not part of the arena footprint and are not scheduled for any immediate redevelopment/development.

Quite frankly, I assume other than the arena and maybe in 12+ months start work on a parking garage, the remaining development will proceed on a 'leisurely schedule' with activity starting near the completion date of the arena.

And taking my post another step to nothingness...

Maybe in two years we have a new arena and those buildings are neither redeveloped nor demolished and remain as an eyesore.

[MikeyinBrooklyn]

Re: the landlots west of Comerica. I think it's entirely possible [[and this doesn't share the Ilitch-is-evil narrative so many here favor) that Olympia has always intended to develop them, when market conditions merited it. Condensing parking into a smaller footprint and building on those lots might now or soon make financial sense. In 2000 erecting apartments or offices there, with storefronts underneath would have been foolhardy, and long-festering empty eyesores. Not the cast now. What could go there, how tall the buildings should be and other questions now a feasible to address. I hope they do get developed.

[Gistok]

And taking my post another step to nothingness...

Maybe in two years we have a new arena and those buildings are neither redeveloped nor demolished and remain as an eyesore.

Have we not learned the Ilitch modus operandi?? Mass land clearance first... development later... when and especially IF it happens...

[restoretheroar]

anyone else find it odd that this project will go to shovels in the ground soon without ever releasing any form of a rendering for the public to view? Not even a conceptual rendering.

[jt1]

anyone else find it odd that this project will go to shovels in the ground soon without ever releasing any form of a rendering for the public to view? Not even a conceptual rendering.

Given who is involved, no, I do not find it odd.

[downtownguy]

Given who is involved, no, I do not find it odd.

Why should the public be apprised? It's only nearly $300 million of taxpayer money.

[ndavies]

We'll see the renderings about the time they need to sellout next seasons season tickets. They will push it with the line, "get priority on seats at the new stadium by buying season tickets this year."

[Honky Tonk]

anyone else find it odd that this project will go to shovels in the ground soon without ever releasing any form of a rendering for the public to view? Not even a conceptual rendering.

You're talking like it's your money or something.

[emu steve]

anyone else find it odd that this project will go to shovels in the ground soon without ever releasing any form of a rendering for the public to view? Not even a conceptual rendering.

I have no idea when is the best time or timing event to release the rendering.

Are they waiting for financing [[bond sales???) to proceed before releasing anything further?

Quite frankly, I'm interested in seeing what will be cleared, i.e., the area from Woodward/Fisher to Park/Temple and adjacent areas. The Temple Hotel is on the other side of street, north side of Temple.

[emu steve]

BTW, I won't be in Detroit until July.

Has the parking lots on Woodward along the arena footprint been closed down yet or are they still being used? I assume something should happen fairly soon.

[emu steve]

Looking for a place to put this post, which is somewhat O/T, but still related.

I was up in Baltimore yesterday for the Tigers/O's game.

In Baltimore they are building a rather large casino, Horseshoe Casino, it will be called I was told. It is located along 295 just south of their baseball and football stadiums. [[and its construction cost northbound 295 a lane and causes traffic woes).

So folks can stop at the casino, football stadium, baseball stadium and then continue right into the Inner Harbor. Sounds well done to me.

Their baseball and football stadiums share parking, just like Detroit can share parking with their three major athletic venues.

And I'm sure folks from Baltimore coming to Detroit to watch the Tigers or Lions game, might say how nice to have a baseball stadium, football stadium, and hockey arena all essentially adjacent and casinos a short drive away.

I think these two cities got it right.

BTW, another tangent: Getting to ball games in Balto is the trip from hell. 295 up from the D.C. and northern suburbs can be hell and then once near Balto and the stadiums things get very messy as well.

Comerica Park and Ford Field have very easy access with multiple entry points, e.g., expressways, major streets, e.g., Woodward, Gratiot, etc. The stadiums are seated in such a way they are easily accessible from all four directions within a half mile walk.

[Bham1982]

Has the parking lots on Woodward along the arena footprint been closed down yet or are they still being used? I assume something should happen fairly soon.

They're probably just waiting to pave over some existing buildings for more parking lots, so that once the new taxpayer sinkhole of an arena is built, they can destroy some more architecture for asphalt.