What Are The Ilitiches Doing Around Cass Tech H.S.?

**emu steve** · July-25-17, 04:49 AM

http://www.freep.com/story/news/2017...eld/505538001/

As I suggested in other threads, they seem to have bought everything they could [[there are references to land on Cass, Henry, 3rd, and 4th).

And now looking for more. I'm surprised that they want the football field land plus the land the old h.s. sat.

Seems they want to control all of the land south of Temple/west of Cass except except the blocks with Cass Park, Cass Tech, and the building at 2nd/Temple.

I can't figure out why they need the football field. I can see the other areas which could be developed into housing.

As someone else posted, that area is ideal for residential.

**313rd** · July-25-17, 05:48 AM

They might want to make an inviting "walking path" from the LCA to Motor City Casino. Figuring people staying/parking at the Casino and going to events. They can control and make it safe. Possibly adding residential, plazas. Motor City to LCA is just 1 Mile.

Comparable to current paths;
MGM to Comerica/Ford Field 3/4 Mile
Greektown to Comerica/Ford Field 1/2 Mile
Eastern Market to Comerica/Ford Field 3/4 Mile
Eastern Market to LCA 1 Mile

**emu steve** · July-25-17, 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by 313rd

They might want to make an inviting "walking path" from the LCA to Motor City Casino. Figuring people staying/parking at the Casino and going to events. They can control and make it safe. Possibly adding residential, plazas. Motor City to LCA is just 1 Mile.

Comparable to current paths;
MGM to Comerica/Ford Field 3/4 Mile
Greektown to Comerica/Ford Field 1/2 Mile
Eastern Market to Comerica/Ford Field 3/4 Mile
Eastern Market to LCA 1 Mile

I agree with you.

I always thought the 'big picture' was to completely transform the whole area from Woodward/Charlotte/Fisher/M.C. Casino.

I thought that those who basically looked as LCA as a stand alone arena with a little bit of housing, retail, etc. ringing it had a much too narrow view, because of the M.C. Casino 'down the street.'

I remember that the Ilitches bought some property near the Casino which seemed pretty urban.

Was it the triangle between Grand River/Lodge/MLKjr.?

And it would make sense to run shuttles between the hotel and LCA. I have NO idea what the occupancy rate for the MC hotel is, but with concerts, etc. at LCA it could be a good place for out of town visitors to stay.

BTW, it was always my belief that they want to really improve Temple Street which obviously connects Woodward to their casino.

I believe they own the block bordered by Temple/Charlotte/Cornerstone/4th. Good block for housing?

I could see them trying to get [[if they don't know own), the triangle of land at Temple/5th/Grand River, and perhaps make a plaza there, trying to clean up all of Temple from their Casino to Woodward.

**Bham1982** · July-25-17, 07:17 AM

So the Illitches, these "great corporate citizens" want to take Cass Tech from Detroiters after they just spent like $250 million in taxpayer money rebuilding the campus. I mean, it's only the most storied, esteemed school in the city; who needs it.

Just watch the city hand over Cass property for like $1, which will end up being a cracked-pavement parking lot until it's eventually flipped to some out-of-town outfit for enormous profit.

**Atticus** · July-25-17, 08:51 AM

One of the biggest problems in that area seems to be the lack of surface parking lots to the immediate west of Cass Tech H.S. This may lead to something that could eventually help those wanting to park in surface lots and attend events and other functions at Cass Tech. It also could provide some trade schooling for Cass Tech students interested in a career of parking lot landscaping.

**Honky Tonk** · July-25-17, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Bham1982

So the Illitches, these "great corporate citizens" want to take Cass Tech from Detroiters after they just spent like $250 million in taxpayer money rebuilding the campus. I mean, it's only the most storied, esteemed school in the city; who needs it.

Just watch the city hand over Cass property for like $1, which will end up being a cracked-pavement parking lot until it's eventually flipped to some out-of-town outfit for enormous profit.

But it'll create thousands of jobs...

**southen** · July-25-17, 09:27 AM

Surface lots. I walked the entire area yesterday and thanks to the fancy new fencing and pavement on all things Ilitch you can clearly see what their plan is.

From Cass to 2nd across from the Masonic and the development of the American Hotel they are resurfacing a massive lot that will sit for years. They also tore down a building at Cass and Henry and are currently constructing a massive surface lot from Cass to 2nd there which is located directly across from the two apartment buildings they wanted to level for even more surface parking.

There are absolutely zero plans to develop anything in this area by them. It is a land grab to get those easy parking dollars, not to create a dense urban neighborhood like all of their fancy marketing would let you believe.

**1953** · July-25-17, 09:32 AM

Its the Ilitches -- they want it for a spectacularly proposed re-development, which is really just a surface parking lot.

And, are we serious about a walking path of a mile? You know, downtown is a square mile. Maybe we can turn it into a walking path so Canadians can more easily visit Motor City Casino.

Crikey.

1953

**313rd** · July-25-17, 10:02 AM

Attachment 33815

It would be interesting to see the traffic study for the Arena, perhaps they are acquiring for the additional parking and/or to create additional lanes for traffic. There could be a big bottle neck when Temple reduces from Two Lanes to One.

**emu steve** · July-25-17, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by southen

Surface lots. I walked the entire area yesterday and thanks to the fancy new fencing and pavement on all things Ilitch you can clearly see what their plan is.

From Cass to 2nd across from the Masonic and the development of the American Hotel they are resurfacing a massive lot that will sit for years. They also tore down a building at Cass and Henry and are currently constructing a massive surface lot from Cass to 2nd there which is located directly across from the two apartment buildings they wanted to level for even more surface parking.

There are absolutely zero plans to develop anything in this area by them. It is a land grab to get those easy parking dollars, not to create a dense urban neighborhood like all of their fancy marketing would let you believe.

Yes. I saw all of that 4 weeks ago when I was in town and took a driving tour.

**313rd** · July-25-17, 10:06 AM

Attachment 33816

Screen Shot of "The District Detroit" Facebook Page.

**emu steve** · July-25-17, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by 313rd

Attachment 33815

It would be interesting to see the traffic study for the Arena, perhaps they are acquiring for the additional parking and/or to create additional lanes for traffic. There could be a big bottle neck when Temple reduces from Two Lanes to One.

Agree.

I was hoping that they could have built a parking garage at Montcalm and Clifford, but when I was in the area I asked and learned that the Ilitches do NOT control the all of the land needed to do another garage. I just assumed otherwise...

Another garage, in my laymen's opinion, would have allowed more cars to park south of the Fisher.

I might be in town for the 1st hockey game [[9/23) and sure as hell wouldn't drive there not knowing what traffic and parking would be like.

I heard that there is a streetcar system which would make it possible to avoid driving in that area.

P.S. will those two VIP parking garages be finished in 6 weeks?

**Zads07** · July-25-17, 11:25 AM

Buy the Cass Tech field for market value and then pay for a new turf stadium for them, considering all the taxpayers money they're getting, at least that would go to good use for the public.

**emu steve** · July-25-17, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Zads07

Buy the Cass Tech field for market value and then pay for a new turf stadium for them, considering all the taxpayers money they're getting, at least that would go to good use for the public.

Makes sense.

The city is entitled to sell those two 'parcels' and then the city can deduct the cost to the Ilitches of other land that the Ilitches acquire for a new football field/stadium.

Curious if that land will be around 3rd and Temple? Does Cass Tech want a football field more than a few blocks from their h.s. I don't think so...

**MicrosoftFan** · July-25-17, 12:08 PM

The first thing that needs to be done to redevelop Grand River is to rebuilt the road. It needs street parking, a median, and bike lanes. Jefferson just before you hit the GPP border is a good example of this kind of redevelopment. Eight lanes are not needed.

And then reconfigure the Temple Lodge Grand River intersection to make it more easier to navigate for pedestrians.

I might make a Google MyMap later further detailing what should be done to improve walkability in the area.