Motown Museum Planning To Expand

**401don** · October-17-16, 12:13 PM

This is bad news for those of us hoping they would build a new museum downtown, perhaps as part of restoring one of the empty theaters.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...sion/92286476/

**renf** · October-17-16, 01:04 PM

The topic of an expansion of the Motown Museum brings up the issue of the renovation of the nearby Lee Tower. As I recall, the former Detroit resident who is now a Los Angeles real estate mogul had until late September to come up with a substantial sum to continue his plan to renovate the Lee Tower. Did he come up with the cash or get a postponement of the deadline?

**detroitpride313** · October-17-16, 02:16 PM

Hmm that's interesting. I thought they'd be partnering with this new effort that was announced some time ago http://www.freep.com/story/entertain...ding/83705220/ but I guess not...

**TTime** · October-17-16, 02:44 PM

Exciting news and that area needs it. How the area has gone this long without a grand museum dedicated to local music is beyond me. Also, I'm still not the biggest proponent of Dan's trolley but hey at least there will be a reason to take it North now other than to grab a pizza at Z's.

**1953** · October-17-16, 03:47 PM

I've heard the same news of an expansion [[with apparently the same rendering, lol) for about 10 years. Skippers rule on this one, ladies and gents...

1953

**hybridy** · October-17-16, 07:43 PM

can anyone confirm what the freep is referring to?

http://www.freep.com/story/entertain...sion/92284314/

Henry Ford Health System [[HFHS), whose flagship hospital is half a mile to the east, has undertaken a multi-year community revitalization effort in the area, including blight removal. The Motown Museum expansion joins a list of neighborhood projects that includes a $110 million HFHS cancer center and a retail-residential complex that was announced last month.

are they referring to third and grand? i don't recall henry ford announcing a 'retail-residential complex'. also who is editing for the freep now

**MikeyinBrooklyn** · October-17-16, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by hybridy

also who is editing for the freep now

Every paper in the country operates with a relative skeleton crew these days, even the NY Times & Wall Street Journal. Editing has been substantially replaced by spellcheck or nothing. Sadly.

**bust** · October-17-16, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by hybridy

...are they referring to third and grand? i don't recall henry ford announcing a 'retail-residential complex'

Must be. They didn't say the retail-residential complex was by HFHS. But they did get the timing of the announcement wrong. It was announced back in February:

http://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/...-Neighborhood/

Ground was broken in September:

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...s-2-million-in

I think it's great the museum is staying where it is. That's where the history is. And downtown has momentum, but this area needs help. It won't be wasted. It's still a lot of empty, but interesting things have been happening around there -- and before the big projects were announced. Look for more loft conversions, event spaces, and things of that sort.

I also like that the Motown Museum will stay true to Motown, unspoiled by the likes of Eminem and Kid Rock.

There's certainly been a wide range of music to celebrate from Detroit. More than enough for another music museum, not limited to Motown, somewhere else.

**401don** · October-18-16, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by bust

Must be. They didn't say the retail-residential complex was by HFHS. But they did get the timing of the announcement wrong. It was announced back in February:

http://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/...-Neighborhood/

Ground was broken in September:

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...s-2-million-in

I think it's great the museum is staying where it is. That's where the history is. And downtown has momentum, but this area needs help. It won't be wasted. It's still a lot of empty, but interesting things have been happening around there -- and before the big projects were announced. Look for more loft conversions, event spaces, and things of that sort.

I also like that the Motown Museum will stay true to Motown, unspoiled by the likes of Eminem and Kid Rock.

There's certainly been a wide range of music to celebrate from Detroit. More than enough for another music museum, not limited to Motown, somewhere else.

Sounds good in theory but there's no chance both get done.

**Hypestyles** · October-18-16, 09:36 AM

Universal Music/Movie Group should be a primary investor now that they own the master tapes and most of the publishing of Motown. They owe.

**Lowell** · October-18-16, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bus...sion/92286476/

This is bad news for those of us hoping they would build a new museum downtown, perhaps as part of restoring one of the empty theaters.

I hear ya. But the current location is the historical spot where it all happens. It will also help fuel the rising New Center neighborhood. So it will still be in the center of things. Had the former Motown HQ Donovan Building been spared the wrecking ball, your argument would have some legs.

**douglasm** · October-18-16, 05:18 PM

I agree with Lowell. The heart and soul of Motown is in the New Center area, not downtown. I've never been there....it's a long way from North Central Washington.....but I'd sure like to see them delve into the history of studios like United Sound, Golden World and Terra Shirma.

And Lowell, could you step across the hall to SDF and ask Ralph Terrana to come over here and give us his view on the subject.

**401don** · October-18-16, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Lowell

I hear ya. But the current location is the historical spot where it all happens. It will also help fuel the rising New Center neighborhood. So it will still be in the center of things. Had the former Motown HQ Donovan Building been spared the wrecking ball, your argument would have some legs.

I understand the argument for keeping it where it is, but the fact is most museums struggle to maintain attendance targets. Being clustered with other museums or being in a high traffic area, i.e. a downtown entertainment zone, are 2 ways to improve the museum's draw. There are a certain hard core of out-of-town tourists who will go out of their way to see the museum. However, there are also a lot of casual folks, both locally and from out-of-town who would stop in while downtown for other events. Adding interactive displays for both kids and adults such as karaoke, sing with your favorite artist, etc., as well as a restaurant, would add to the appeal. In another generation or two, few attendees will remember the Motown sound. Having it downtown would allow these young people to casually listen to it and learn about it by stopping in while in the area, as opposed to having to know about and want to make the effort.

**Gistok** · October-18-16, 06:18 PM

Interesting anecdote.... Paul McCartney paid to restore the decaying Steinway 1877 Piano in Motowns legendary Studio A during a visit 6 years ago....

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...piano/2042715/

**FlyingJ** · October-19-16, 12:34 AM

Originally Posted by Hypestyles

Universal Music/Movie Group should be a primary investor now that they own the master tapes and most of the publishing of Motown. They owe.

nice sentiments, but you don't know much about the Music Industry or Universal I gather...

**Hypestyles** · October-19-16, 12:02 PM

I know plenty. You work for them?

**TTime** · November-18-16, 06:28 AM

Originally Posted by 1953

I've heard the same news of an expansion [[with apparently the same rendering, lol) for about 10 years. Skippers rule on this one, ladies and gents...

1953

This should help move it closer to reality http://www.freep.com/story/entertain...ford/94049582/

**Honky Tonk** · November-18-16, 07:46 AM

_________________

**hybridy** · December-03-16, 12:41 PM

Henry Ford Health System expects to get its largest-ever solo gift

Henry Ford Health System plans to announce on Monday the largest individual gift in its 100-year history.
Given by a Detroit businessman and philanthropist in honor of his late wife, the gift will facilitate cancer clinical care and research in Detroit, Henry Ford said in news release.