Ilitch announces Huge plans for Red Wings Arena Project - Renderings Released

**emu steve** · July-20-14, 05:04 AM

As of TODAY, July 20, 2014 everything we thought or posted in the past isn't very relevant and today a completely different vision, dream for downtown and Midtown and much of it is to be built concurrently by 2017.

Light clearing of the site in fall 2014; heavy duty work begins in spring 2015.

[[We have a thread with almost 500 posts but are they still relevant? I'd say not. This vision seems to have exceed my wishes by many fold).

http://www.freep.com/article/2014072...SS06/307200110

EDIT: Just read Bill's article in Crains. The articles are complimentary, each has unique information.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...WS03/140719845

I'm starting a new thread, if folks want to utilize it.
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Moderator Note: As this represents a milestone in this project, continued discussion will proceed in this new thread. Previous discussion begun in June 2013 may be read the now closed-to-posting thread:
Plans Unveiled For $650M Red Wings Arena, Entertainment District In Detroit

Images above and below from Olympia Development Press Release:

**emu steve** · July-20-14, 05:17 AM

I'm completely stunned by what I'm reading.

Instead of cobbling together an arena, a couple parking garages, an office building or two, etc., the Ilitches are trying to design a new city within a not-new, some said 'dead', city.

I'm absolutely stunned. I thought for sure they would say put an 'attractive' parking garage along Henry/Fisher, etc. emphasizing parking convenience over a bold vision of housing and shops. Attractive = a brick façade instead of a cement façade...

The concept of the arena is completely state of the art, not some boring replica of something built 10 - 15 years ago.

As I read the articles, I'm trying to determine what Ilitch can do HIMSELF and not require other investors to invest hundreds of millions of dollars.

The most obvious is the arena, which of course, is his baby. Yet, so much of what he plans is on his land adjacent, connected to, the arena.

Christopher or Mike [[Ilitch) just needs to say the word "go" and it can happen. They build the arena, the walkways, the housing adjacent to the arena, etc.

What I find amazing is that instead of 'concatenating' the arena to Fox Town and Comerica Park, they want to truly integrate Comerica Park, Fox Town, Hockey Town, the arena, etc. instead build an sports and entertaining district which goes 365 days a year, even if there is a 'dark day' for sports or entertainment.

And the grand design is that people should live very close and they will spend time and money in that neighborhood.

**emu steve** · July-20-14, 05:48 AM

P.S. this has to be bad news for that building out in Auburn Hills.

Folks want to be at the newest, state of the art, glitziest, etc. facility.

The Pistons may stay out there but in the next 5 years a lot of the other stuff will move to the new arena.

**emu steve** · July-20-14, 06:06 AM

In case anyone missed this:

"Included in plans for the $200-million entertainment district are hundreds of market-rate rental units in at least four new mid-rise buildings that are set to go up around the arena as well as near Comerica Park. The apartments are expected to be ready for tenants by summer 2017.
The precise number of units is still being determined and is anticipated to exceed 500..."

According to the concept drawings, it appears that maybe two residential building will be built on the now surface parking lots along Woodward adjacent to Comerica Park. [[confirmed in Freep and Crains articles. 2017 is the expected completion date for those buildings as well).

[[I've read dozens of posts here complaining about those surface lots).

**Scottathew** · July-20-14, 07:46 AM

This is McLargeHuge.

Finally, Illitch doing something more than arenas and parking lots. He's even got plans to develop the lot between Comerica and Woodward, something I've been whining about for years.

He's got the money to make this happen. This combined with the revitalization already happening in CBD and midtown and M1 Rail, it would be just amazing to think what this area will be like in 5-10 years.

2,000 new residential units smack-dab between downtown and midtown. This could be a catalyst for development in the surrounding areas.

I'm hopeful and optimistic after seeing this.

**rb336** · July-20-14, 08:09 AM

direct link

http://districtdetroit.com/

note that the arena renderings are "concept only" - but I kinda like the concept

**stinkytofu** · July-20-14, 08:17 AM

Dig the concept, but as has been proven many times renderings often don't turn to reality.

I don't see any official word about Eddystone/Park Avenue [[though they are in rendering). Anybody read differently?

**stinkytofu** · July-20-14, 08:18 AM

Whoa - if I'm reading this right they are even planning on putting two buildings on the lots in front of Comerica on Woodward? God I hope that's true.

http://1.cdn.nhle.com/redwings/v2/ex...t-Concepts.jpg

**emu steve** · July-20-14, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by 48307

This is McLargeHuge.

Finally, Illitch doing something more than arenas and parking lots. He's even got plans to develop the lot between Comerica and Woodward, something I've been whining about for years.

He's got the money to make this happen. This combined with the revitalization already happening in CBD and midtown and M1 Rail, it would be just amazing to think what this area will be like in 5-10 years.

2,000 new residential units smack-dab between downtown and midtown. This could be a catalyst for development in the surrounding areas.

I'm hopeful and optimistic after seeing this.

I don't see how ANYONE can be unhappy.

It seems, like dreaming, that every complaint folks had are being answered by these plans.

The Ilitches seemed to check every box I could come up [[with).

Even more important the Ilitches seem perfectly willing to spend more than they originally promised and there are venture capital monies lining up just wanting a piece of the action [[that is cited in the articles by Freep and Crains).

Instead of dreaming big and failing to deliver, this appears to be the opposite.

I remember when the original plans were put out, thinking the plans were a 'drop in the bucket' and a good 'first step' [[e.g., an arena, an office building, maybe two parking garages, a couple rehabs many blocks from the arena, maybe an apartment building or hotel, etc.).

Instead, it seems they took the 45 blocks and came up plans to improve each of them.

**canuck** · July-20-14, 08:27 AM

The concept illustrations show the obvious divide btwn city and suburban demographics. I noticed this preoccupying fact in Gilbert's project renderings too in the past.
Anyhow, I like the striking red roof and the Wings stunning logo. I hope the project encompasses some of the older houses in the area, reusing them as restaurants and other small businesses.

**paulj313** · July-20-14, 08:31 AM

HOLY SHIT! A Woodward Bridge, like the one people have been proposing here forever.

**maverick1** · July-20-14, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by canuck

The concept illustrations show the obvious divide btwn city and suburban demographics. I noticed this preoccupying fact in Gilbert's project renderings too in the past.
Anyhow, I like the striking red roof and the Wings stunning logo. I hope the project encompasses some of the older houses in the area, reusing them as restaurants and other small businesses.

Really? In what way?

**rb336** · July-20-14, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by stinkytofu

Dig the concept, but as has been proven many times renderings often don't turn to reality.

I don't see any official word about Eddystone/Park Avenue [[though they are in rendering). Anybody read differently?

I think the fact that they are in the rendering and have good bones is a hopeful sign.

It also looks, from the renderings, that some of the old houses are still there, that the scale is very human/urban, that even the parking garages have ground floor space, that the Arena has woodward side street-access restaurant space...

**emu steve** · July-20-14, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by paulj313

HOLY SHIT! A Woodward Bridge, like the one people have been proposing here forever.

As I mentioned earlier, it is as if they took every suggestion or complaint that everyone had made and managed to incorporate them into a master design.

**emu steve** · July-20-14, 08:44 AM

BTW, I'm still blown away by the arena. I never would have dreamt that in a thousand years. I remember when we posted about the American Airlines arena and hoped we could have something almost as nice [[I think American Airlines arena was very expensive).

Detroit will have the nicest arena in America. Not bad for a city which was declared bankrupt, dead, etc.

**canuck** · July-20-14, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by maverick1

Really? In what way?

Seems pretty weighted on the lighter complexioned part of the spectrum. I would at least try to be representative of the core city. It may not be important to you, but it will be to some.

**gameguy56** · July-20-14, 08:55 AM

I hope that the Motor city Casino eventually gets integrated into this.

**Dan** · July-20-14, 08:57 AM

Skippers rule.

Grand vision but I'm not holding my breathe.

Much of this is still in the hands of "private developers"

**emu steve** · July-20-14, 09:01 AM

BTW, folks who hate surface parking lots [[and that includes me) are probably pissing in their pants today with joy.

As I understand THREE blocks around Comerica [[the two in front + the one in right center field, I think) will be developed.

Then obviously, all of the surface lots between the Fisher/Woodward/Temple/Cass are being developed. [[the design of the arena maximizes the size of the footprint because of the vias).

Need to check what is happening behind the Fox and if some of those lots will be green space or other non-surface parking usage.

All of this has a 'Pac-man' effect: just eat up underutilized blocks.

**emu steve** · July-20-14, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by Dan

Skippers rule.

Grand vision but I'm not holding my breathe.

Much of this is still in the hands of "private developers"

I'm not sure I agree, Dan.

Unlike most urban renewal or development, too many cooks spoil the stew.

Here I believe Ilitch controls most of what we are talking [[with obvious exceptions like the Fisher bridge) and has his money [[and other monies) lined up.

I think he'll pull it off, minus some kind of bad economic downturn.

**Dan** · July-20-14, 09:12 AM

Steve - you're clearly really excited about this. I do hope you're right, but I maintain a healthy skepticism.

**DetroitPlanner** · July-20-14, 09:18 AM

Reminds me of when they announced an italian village along the S side of the Fox, a Hard Rock for the Hughes and Hatchers, and the entertainment walk for the block between Comerica and the Fox http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...alifornia.html

Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.

The I-75 bridge is going to be rebuilt as part of M-1. If it is not incorporated then, it will never be done. This is the first I've heard of it. Not saying it won't happen, but I am very skeptical.

**Mackinaw** · July-20-14, 09:28 AM

Steve, Dan is right, just read Illitch's quotes and video remarks, when he talks about they intend for their initial investment to encourage additional investors. Now I for one think that this has a high chance of success as long as the Illitches really mean this and will be cooperative. And let's not overlook that several of the stand-alone side-developments alongside the arena, and in the underutilized area between Fox and Comerica, will be developed ASAP. Effectively, that airy, sometimes tumbleweed-strewn part of Woodward WILL IN FACT be fully developed with properly urban buildings. That is stupendous news, and it owes to a good plan that brings the arena site right up to Woodward with side-buildings and storefronts. But beyond Woodward, it's all more amorphous proposals, we have to appreciate that reality and hope that they are executed on the strength of initial sales/tenancy closer to Woodward. Dan is surely alluding to the 'Columbia Park' area, among other things, where a whole new neighborhood is apparently going up where there is currently Illitch's parking wasteland. I'd be shocked if they are going to build new stuff there up front. But it's great that they want something built there. [[And really ironic, considering how much they've torn down there to make the situation harder).

Focusing on the plans-- they are GREAT. Better than i expected and not at all what I feared.

They are being silent and obviously non-committal on the hotels on Park Avenue, but the first thing I noticed in looking at the rendering is that they were there, acknowledged but not painted and colorful and fun. Again, I think this is where the 'additional investment' becomes critical. But if they mothball the structures and seek such monies while the arena construction is in progress, and enthusiastically promote the preservation as part of their district, that alone would be great. Their other option is to less-than-enthusiastically support preservation, make a little 'good faith' effort to find an investor, and then report to the city that the buildings are beyond repair and that moreover they are in the way of parking garages. That's my worst fear-- that they will manipulate the city like that. The fact that they don't even acknowledge the existence of those buildings in today's release signals to me that they'd like to go route no. 2. But, at least we have hope and at least they didn't enthusiastically promote their destruction today.

**Mackinaw** · July-20-14, 09:33 AM

Originally Posted by stinkytofu

Whoa - if I'm reading this right they are even planning on putting two buildings on the lots in front of Comerica on Woodward? God I hope that's true.

http://1.cdn.nhle.com/redwings/v2/ex...t-Concepts.jpg

They say that's a '2014' rendering yet the fricken STATLER is still there. LOL. I think this is from the archives. Are they just dredging up old plans on us and renewing former promises???? I mean, they promised us Wrigleyville in Detroit pre-2000. Now of course, today's market can support that and they'd be STUPID not to develop tall things along Woodward and Adams St. literally TODAY…but we're talking about the Illitches here, and I am looking at what appears to be an old rendering. What's up with this?