Shake up in Olympia Development

[Detroit Stylin]

"Detroit-based Olympia Development of Michigan, which recently lost its top executive, is bringing The Cordish Cos., a Baltimore-based developer of mixed-use entertainment districts linked to professional sports venues around the country, into The District Detroit project.

Cordish transforms arenas and ballparks into year-round districts for people to live, work and play. The entertainment neighborhoods at the core of its developments are often branded as "Live!" districts with restaurants and sports-viewing options.


The 50-block District Detroit is anchored by Little Caesars Arena, which will be home to the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons when it opens in September. Plans since the district plan was unveiled in 2014 call for housing, retail, office, entertainment, restaurant, bar and public green spaces — right in line with what Cordish is known for creating."

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...ialist-to-help

[Wesley Mouch]

Ilitch's have a long history of changes at the top of their development efforts. They're a private business -- and not everyone likes that the family controls things -- especially when they aren't family.

That said, I don't see the problem. Seem like normal part of family businesses.

[EastsideAl]

I wonder if Gores, who seems to have a bit more of this type of vision, and insisted in a piece of the action as part of his price for moving the Pistons in, had some role in this?

Maybe these Baltimore folks can finally get Illitch to take a look at a different use for the area west of the Fox, than a vast empty sea of parking lots. And also do something with those ugly blocks of Woodward in front of Comerica Park where the promised commercial buildings were never built.

[detroitbob]

...those ugly blocks of Woodward in front of Comerica Park where the promised commercial buildings were never built.

The deal has been "inked" with St. John's Episcopal Church...the parking deck behind the church is well on its way and the other improvements will happen as soon as the garage is completed allowing for transfer of parking over the Woodward frontage to the new facility. I haven't heard a timetable for the apartment/retail from St. John's garden south to Elizabeth "bridging the street [[E. Montcalm)" but with the damand for housing, not to mention office space, I suspect it won't be that long.