Calling Out Dan Gilbert: Monroe Block Should Be Mainly Residential

[royce]

I'm calling you out, Dan Gilbert. Monroe Block should be mainly residential. The nature of the activity around Campus Martius and Cadillac Square Park deserves to have residential nearby. The Monroe Block is ideal for that. I could see apartments with balconies facing Cadillac Square Park. Of course retail on the ground level and parking above that. Maybe even a vertical movie theater with two or three screens.

I am so glad that the Meridian office complex did not get built. The design sucked, and it lacked the residential component that I'm talking about. Dan Gilbert has made a lot of good choices in terms of where residential and commercial should go. The Monroe Block with the Meridian complex was not his best plan for an area. Hopefully he will consider plans that include the majority residential on the Monroe site. It's a huge property but one that is in the heart of the action. Residential, in my mind, is the best way to go. What do you think, Dan?