Stephen Ross, Dan Gilbert, UM in talks to bring ‘innovation center' to former jail

[masterblaster]

Seems like a big departure from what some of the original planning was for that site. I wonder how much of a portion of the site this would take up and if there will still be office/housing components to this. It seemed like DG worked for so long trying to get this site for office and residential towers.

These are my concerns. Originally the idea was to better connect the development of the CBD with Greektown. Perhaps with the sale of Greektown this is less of a priority for Gilbert now.

This seems like a downgrade of what was planned. Ideally Gratiot will one day get built up like Woodward.

Quote from Crain's Article:

"Dan Mullen, president of Bedrock, has previously told Crain's the jail site will be "totally mixed-use — retail, office, residential, restaurant."

>>>>>>>In December, Gilbert hinted a project that went beyond a typical mixed-use development was in the works.

"We are working on some really exciting, unique things which I can't talk about yet," Gilbert told Crain's at the time. "It's really exciting. It's all connected — there might be some office and residential — but there's another theme, and I hope it comes to fruition."<<<<<<<<<

[masterblaster]

If this actually ever became a reality, it would be a far wiser and intelligent use of the property, then the typical high-rise hotel , restaurant, entertainment scene , there is already a ton of that on the drawing boards and who knows how much longevity all of that will have. This would bring some wise diversification to the downtown area and solid well-paying jobs to the area which would bring people in to work and live. It would be nice to see downtown getting away from the typical hotel, restaurant ,entertainment plan that it seems to want to concentrate on solely.

Gilbert's One Campus Martius, Hudson's, and Monroe Block projects all have substantial office components, and the Broderick, Stott, Briggs Houze, the hideous Statler Hotel Site apartment building all are residential conversions/new construction.

It's been more than hotel/entertainment, but I do wish we could get more office towers built downtown, to further establish downtown as the place to WORK.

[313WX]

Gilbert's One Campus Martius, Hudson's, and Monroe Block projects all have substantial office components, and the Broderick, Stott, Briggs Houze, the hideous Statler Hotel Site apartment building all are residential conversions/new construction.

It's been more than hotel/entertainment, but I do wish we could get more office towers built downtown, to further establish downtown as the place to WORK.

Detroit is still an unproven market for real estate.

The only reason those projects you listed are happening is because Gilbert's self-funding them, by and large for his ventures.

If they're successful, and Detroit can establish a trend of attracting big corporate relocations and expansions [[which it hasn't, yet), then other developers will be more willing to take on office tower projects in the city and banks will be more open to lending them the money.

[pjbear05]

Stephen Ross, bwahaha. How about you do something about that other sorry piece of excrement you own-the Miami Dolphins? Jeez Louise!

[Gistok]

Stephen Ross, bwahaha. How about you do something about that other sorry piece of excrement you own-the Miami Dolphins? Jeez Louise!

That makes about as much sense as telling the Ford family they shouldn't be bothered with the Michigan Central Station until they get the Lions on the winning side....