What is going on at Red Wings arena site?

[ghettopalmetto]

The plan was changed with the approval of city council. Councilwoman Lopez [[arena is in her district) wanted an increase in public space [[which is what's happening with the area being made into green space and bike racks) plus some terms for secure biking on Cass, razing Park Avenue helped in that regard. You also have to remember that parking was a big issue and keeping Park Ave. would have created a need for even more parking decks etc.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if ever a decision was made in Detroit that didn't revolve around CHEAP, ABUNDANT PARKING?

"Public space" = "Landscaped and lighted parking lots owned by Mike Ilitch".

[alfbundy]

Here's a question: With the zoning issue cleared up, Olympia can begin construction on the site. But what if the Historical Commision deny's the demolition of the Park Avenue Hotel? Does that impact the construction of the stadium at all? Can the Historical Commission force Olympia to A) develop the hotel B) sell the hotel to an developer for restoration?

Bottom line: What are the hostorical commission's powers and can they block demolition at any cost?

While construction of the arena can now begin in full, the battle over the possible demolition of a historic former hotel, the former Park Avenue, is not yet over. But the developer still aims to raze the structure.

With the rezoning approved, it's basically a done deal. Olympia has already started excavating and have full power to build the arena. The time has passed to save Park Avenue. It should have been done before the current plans were revised and city council approved the rezoning. Even if the Detroit Historical Commission denies them permission, it would go to the state level and at this point it's a lost cause. I doubt they will do anything to prevent that from happening.

[Bham1982]

Wouldn't it be wonderful if ever a decision was made in Detroit that didn't revolve around CHEAP, ABUNDANT PARKING?

"Public space" = "Landscaped and lighted parking lots owned by Mike Ilitch".

Yup. It will look exactly like the area around Comerica. Parking lots.

[Dbest]

I guess I'm a bit confused. An Mlive writer had this to say in his story:

"Olympia will be held to redeveloping the Eddystone if they want to demolish the Park Avenue."...

How does Olympia begin demolishing the Hotel Park Ave without a comprehensive plan in place with a developer for the Eddytstone for the city to review? I think it will look bad when developers line up for the Eddystone project and losing developers won't have the Park to consider as alternative or vice-versa. Or maybe the same developer takes on both buildings due to their close proximity catering to logistics during the renovation.

I think Olympias true colors have shown again, there was no intention of keeping either.

I'd like to know if anyone has approached the mayor about that the Park Hotel recently?

[alfbundy]

I guess I'm a bit confused. An Mlive writer had this to say in his story:

"Olympia will be held to redeveloping the Eddystone if they want to demolish the Park Avenue."...

How does Olympia begin demolishing the Hotel Park Ave without a comprehensive plan in place with a developer for the Eddytstone for the city to review? I think it will look bad when developers line up for the Eddystone project and losing developers won't have the Park to consider as alternative or vice-versa. Or maybe the same developer takes on both buildings due to their close proximity catering to logistics during the renovation.

I think Olympias true colors have shown again, there was no intention of keeping either.

I'd like to know if anyone has approached the mayor about that the Park Hotel recently?

On Tuesday, Detroit Corporation Counsel Melvin Butch Hollowell gave an overview of the latest language. Hollowell told the council he believes that the agreement was "negotiated in good faith by both parties" and that the language ensure Olympia will follow through.

"I'm very satisfied that it's bulletproof," he said.

Said Councilman Gabe Leland: "Nobody can come back five years from now and say 'I told you so.'"

They got an agreement yesterday to redevelop the Eddystone, without the agreement council would not have passed the rezoning.

Pending zoning approval by the Detroit City Council, full construction on the Detroit Events Center can begin this spring. In the meantime, site preparation will continue with fencing, equipment mobilization and field work beginning in the coming days. Once approved by the Historic District Commission, work on the Eddystone Hotel could begin as early as fall of 2015.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if ever a decision was made in Detroit that didn't revolve around CHEAP, ABUNDANT PARKING?

"Public space" = "Landscaped and lighted parking lots owned by Mike Ilitch".

Where do you see a parking lot? It will be a gathering space like Campus Martius and you can't park in an area that will be near bike racks and loading dock.

[alfbundy]

Construction crews have started the heavy groundwork
http://photos.mlive.com/5628/gallery...ena/index.html

[animatedmartian]

The plan was changed with the approval of city council. Councilwoman Lopez [[arena is in her district) wanted an increase in public space [[which is what's happening with the area being made into green space and bike racks) plus some terms for secure biking on Cass, razing Park Avenue helped in that regard. You also have to remember that parking was a big issue and keeping Park Ave. would have created a need for even more parking decks etc.

But even those reasons are completely different than what Olympia was saying needed to be done. And honestly, if this arena district is supposed to be open and integrated in to the neighborhood like Olympia says it's supposed to be, then there's no need for public space. Cass Park is two blocks over [[which isn't Olympia supposed to improve?). There's a plaza right there on Henry in the rendering.

It all seems like weak excuses for such a major demolition. But not surprising from the one making the call.

[ghettopalmetto]

Where do you see a parking lot? It will be a gathering space like Campus Martius and you can't park in an area that will be near bike racks and loading dock.

And you know this how, Alfbundy? From the Construction Documents that have received permits from the City of Detroit Building Department? Or from the adorable renderings that the architect has released?

[Enduro]

It's always struck me as odd that so many seem so eager to let Illitch build a whole district under Olympia Entertainment when the only things Olympia hasn't bungled are the breakaway slam dunks. Casinos, major league sports, Hockeytown Cafe... Then you have the Fox which is an exception, I'll give them that.

However, the "City" theater space has never been a success even when Second City was there [[and the many of the casts were very talented and have had success elsewhere see Key and Peele), the old Johnny Rockets is in the most advantageous spot, rent free and in all those years they haven't been able to find an identity for it. It's empty. Look at it today - https://goo.gl/maps/E3Bsw

The only real vision Olympia seems to have is to bring a stale, boring suburban feeling to downtown. Compare that to what the Park Bar has been able to do with their limited space, it is always abuzz while the Hockeytown/City Theatre space lives and dies with the stadiums. I just hope they don't bring Fountain Walk to downtown.

[mikeg19]

What will be the means of demolition on the Park Ave? I'm assuming the wrecking ball/ripping device that was used on the Brewsters and Lafayette?

[MSUguy]

And you know this how, Alfbundy? From the Construction Documents that have received permits from the City of Detroit Building Department? Or from the adorable renderings that the architect has released?

Because that is what the plan calls for and that is what got approved.

[ghettopalmetto]

Because that is what the plan calls for and that is what got approved.

Again, you know this HOW? Because you've seen the approved, permitted Construction Documents? Or someone told you?

If you're going by a rendering, or a news article, or hear-say, then you really don't know what the space will look like until it's built. That's the long-and-the-short of it. I'll add, however, that Olympia Entertainment isn't exactly known for hiring the finest landscape architects.

There just isn't anything concrete [[see what I did there?) to indicate that any "public" spaces [[Ilitch will, in fact, own ALL of the so-called public space) will be an improvement over Comerica Park, the "landscaped-lighted" Madison-Lenox lot, or the Fox Theatre Parking Kingdom.

I applaud the optimism, but this widespread naivete is what allows Ilitch to railroad Detroit time-and-again.

[alfbundy]

Again, you know this HOW? Because you've seen the approved, permitted Construction Documents? Or someone told you?

Step number one has been approved...

Detroit's DDA approves Eddystone commitments by Ilitches
http://www.freep.com/story/money/bus...ings/26194851/

Detroit's Downtown Development Authority approved an amendment Wednesday to the city's agreement with the Ilitches to build the arena and surrounding district. The amendment includes new compromise language worked out over the past several days with Olympia that guarantees that the firm will follow through on its commitment to renovate the Eddystone.

Detroit's City Council approved the plan earlier this week. Wednesday's DDA meeting marked another step in the process. Actual construction work is expected to begin shortly. The Eddystone agreement calls for Olympia to develop or arrange for another developer to complete the hotel, to restore the historic facade and to set aside 20% of the rental apartments for affordable housing. The city will have the power to legally enforce the terms of the agreement. City Council had insisted that some guarantees on the Eddystone be built into the agreement rather than simply taking Olympia's word for it.

The DDA also approved three subcontracts Wednesday for work on the arena project, including a $50.7-million subcontract for structural steel awarded to Detroit-based Midwest Steel. Midwest Steel is a longtime supplier of steel to local construction projects, including the Blue Water Bridge and the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

There's no photo of the "Construction Documents", but I'm pretty sure the city's lawyers wouldn't call it "bulletproof" without some sort of a guarantee.

[ABetterDetroit]

It's always struck me as odd that so many seem so eager to let Illitch build a whole district under Olympia Entertainment when the only things Olympia hasn't bungled are the breakaway slam dunks. Casinos, major league sports, Hockeytown Cafe... Then you have the Fox which is an exception, I'll give them that.

However, the "City" theater space has never been a success even when Second City was there [[and the many of the casts were very talented and have had success elsewhere see Key and Peele), the old Johnny Rockets is in the most advantageous spot, rent free and in all those years they haven't been able to find an identity for it. It's empty. Look at it today - https://goo.gl/maps/E3Bsw

The only real vision Olympia seems to have is to bring a stale, boring suburban feeling to downtown. Compare that to what the Park Bar has been able to do with their limited space, it is always abuzz while the Hockeytown/City Theatre space lives and dies with the stadiums. I just hope they don't bring Fountain Walk to downtown.

Very fair assessment of Illitch failures.

[ghettopalmetto]

Step number one has been approved...

Detroit's DDA approves Eddystone commitments by Ilitches
http://www.freep.com/story/money/bus...ings/26194851/


There's no photo of the "Construction Documents", but I'm pretty sure the city's lawyers wouldn't call it "bulletproof" without some sort of a guarantee.

Well, that's great for the Eddystone, but that seems like a shallow victory, since it wasn't in danger of demolition. This has absolutely nothing to do with what people are speculating is "part of the project". Only the Construction Documents dictate what is part of the project--the rest is sewing-circle gossip and optimistic conjecture.

To imply that this agreement somehow requires a world-class "public" space, or that the site absolutely necessitates demolition of the Park Avenue building is absurd.

[alfbundy]

I applaud the optimism, but this widespread naivete is what allows Ilitch to railroad Detroit time-and-again.

I would rather be an optimist than always trying to put someone down.

Ilitch employs thousands of people in Detroit because of his success in the pizza, sports and entertainment business. He's a self made businessman who started with one pizza store. When most people were fleeing Detroit he stayed and kept the sports teams in the city. You don't think he could have done the same thing Ford and Davidson did and move to the suburbs? I bet a city like Novi would've approved a new Wings arena in seconds, especially in the 90's. Instead, he bought up land and waited two decades for this project to come together and finally it has. People also forget that Ilitch gave up half the land he was planning to build Comerica Park on and agreed to wait a year so that Ford Field could be built next to it. But all you talk about is parking lots next to Comerica and some vacant hotel that no one else was willing to touch for decades before .

[ghettopalmetto]

I would rather be an optimist than always trying to put someone down.

Ilitch employs thousands of people in Detroit because of his success in the pizza, sports and entertainment business. He's a self made businessman who started with one pizza store. When most people were fleeing Detroit he stayed and kept the sports teams in the city. You don't think he could have done the same thing Ford and Davidson did and move to the suburbs? I bet a city like Novi would've approved a new Wings arena in seconds, especially in the 90's.

Mike Ilitch has accepted hundreds of millions of public dollars in subsidies and sweetheart deals, and literally destroyed half of downtown Detroit in the process. This is the kind of model citizen you admire?

This is a man whose net worth is at least six times the cost of the arena construction, and yet he needs state-backed bonds to build a project that only profits himself, with no accountability whatsoever to the community that finances him. If that isn't taking a gigantic dump on all of the entrepreneurs who *are* taking risks to make real change in Detroit, then I don't know what is.

[MSUguy]

Again, you know this HOW? Because you've seen the approved, permitted Construction Documents? Or someone told you?

If you're going by a rendering, or a news article, or hear-say, then you really don't know what the space will look like until it's built. That's the long-and-the-short of it. I'll add, however, that Olympia Entertainment isn't exactly known for hiring the finest landscape architects.

There just isn't anything concrete [[see what I did there?) to indicate that any "public" spaces [[Ilitch will, in fact, own ALL of the so-called public space) will be an improvement over Comerica Park, the "landscaped-lighted" Madison-Lenox lot, or the Fox Theatre Parking Kingdom.

I applaud the optimism, but this widespread naivete is what allows Ilitch to railroad Detroit time-and-again.

I happened to watch that council meeting before it was sent to the full body, that rendering is what was discussed. It was also mentioned that city planning staff needs to sign off on final site plans, materials, etc so I'm not expecting big changes from what was approved

[ghettopalmetto]

I happened to watch that council meeting before it was sent to the full body, that rendering is what was discussed. It was also mentioned that city planning staff needs to sign off on final site plans, materials, etc so I'm not expecting big changes from what was approved

Renderings are marketing tools, not part of the construction contract. The contractor doesn't build anything based on renderings.

Even after the planning board signs off on a proposal, the project is permitted, and construction begins, there are always all sorts of change orders and [[owner-driven) construction change directives that result in changes to the scope of work. In other words, there are still limitless opportunities for Olympia to back out of anything to which they are not contractually bound.

Olympia are the people who got paid by the City of Detroit to cut the grass at Tiger Stadium after the team moved. The checks were cut, but I wish I could say the same for the grass. If they couldn't even operate a lawnmower then, I don't expect them to make Herculean efforts for the Public Good time time around.

[archfan]

What will be the means of demolition on the Park Ave? I'm assuming the wrecking ball/ripping device that was used on the Brewsters and Lafayette?

Probably implosion which, with the right english, will irretrievably damage the Eddystone.

[mikeg19]

Probably implosion which, with the right english, will irretrievably damage the Eddystone.

HA. Nice.

Why not make a friggin spectacle of it? Blow the thing sky high like all those Las Vegas casinos with a firework show. That'll get everyone really excited!

[alfbundy]

HA. Nice.

Why not make a friggin spectacle of it? Blow the thing sky high like all those Las Vegas casinos with a firework show. That'll get everyone really excited!

Fox 2 would love that. I'm sure Huel and Monica will have live coverage with front row seats like the Hudsons demolition.

Remember the "Motown Blast Countdown"?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLs4oYrzRHE

[SpartanDawg]

mass excavation began this morning!

[alfbundy]

Video from Chopper 7
http://www.wxyz.com/news/region/detr...ed-wings-arena

[emu steve]

Mlive.com article w/photos. My beloved parking spot [[for Tigers' games) on Woodward/Sproat is now history. R.I.P. It will hence forward have a better usage.

http://www.mlive.com/business/detroi...l#incart_river