UM to Partner with Gilbert on Innovation Center at Fail Jail Site

**masterblaster** · September-13-21, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

^ Maybe single track with some double bypass points [would require the cars to be in sync]. But when you make it double track, you have the problem of PM stations... exiting on both sides makes for a double wide station... with double elevator and double stairs. It would also likely require a loop at the end to make a turnaround. The alternative would be separate tracks on either side of the roadways, which would mean double the number of cement columns. Again even more expensive.

If they could cut costs with bypass points, then it would allow more lines/miles of track. I really don't see a PM route going all the way to the city limits in any direction, not at the high costs. But it would be nice to have a line to the MCS.

IMHO, you are over-complicating things. Just build the two tracks on the Jefferson extension. With the smaller trains, you are going to need more frequent trains - there are only so many bypass points you can build. The Jacksonville Skyway shows you can build one row of columns for 2 tracks see below:

Name: 800px-Jacksonville_Skyway_2.jpg
Views: 1458
Size: 108.8 KB

Name: 800px-Jacksonville_Skyway_2.jpg
Views: 1458
Size: 108.8 KB

Also, the same system shows how you can make one transit station - without double elevators and stairs - for two tracks:

Name: skyway_stations.jpg
Views: 1553
Size: 52.3 KB

Name: skyway_stations.jpg
Views: 1553
Size: 52.3 KB

Yes, you would need to build a turnaround loop for the trains to go back the other direction. I don't think that's a big problem, the trains are so small a turnaround wouldn't be that big.

**Gistok** · September-13-21, 02:36 AM

^ Thanks Masterblaster! I wasn't aware that Jacksonville had a system. Looks good. The positioning of a 2 way track with a central station looks good, as does single columns supporting a double track...

**Scottathew** · September-13-21, 07:32 AM

I love the idea and the diagram. I would prefer BRT instead of a People Mover extension. It could still tie-in with the Cadillac Square People Mover station.

**Satiricalivory** · December-10-21, 01:56 PM

Big update coming

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-e...ter-innovation

**K-slice** · December-10-21, 03:23 PM

U of M is also committing to finally renovating their current large building in Detroit as well!

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-e...idtown-detroit

This answered one of my biggest questions when they first announced the Innovation Center, did U of M forget they already have a large building in the same area mothballed? An often overlook piece of the Cultural Center coming back to live will be a great thing for the area!

"UM's Detroit Center for research and outreach on Woodward Avenue will move there, as well as undergraduate admissions operations and educational programs in architecture and urban planning, engineering and environment and sustainability."

**Lowell** · December-11-21, 10:55 AM

Ilitchville poaching Gilbertville? From this article it appears big bucks Stephen Ross who had been paired with Gilbert has started pal-ing Chris Iltich.
https://freep-mi.newsmemory.com?publ...41cf80_134602f
Name: ross-ilitch.jpg
Views: 1229
Size: 102.4 KB

Name: ross-ilitch.jpg
Views: 1229
Size: 102.4 KB

**THE FURY 617** · December-11-21, 12:35 PM

In my opinion, it still sucks that the Center for Innovation is no longer at the failed jail Gratiot site and I understand that Stephan Ross wants it at a bigger site. All of those parking lots in the Foxtown area [[behind the FOX, Little Ceasers HQ,etc. between Clifford,Cass and Grand River roads) which we DON'T need, is the PERFECT location for it. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

**401don** · December-11-21, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by THE FURY 617

In my opinion, it still sucks that the Center for Innovation is no longer at the failed jail Gratiot site and I understand that Stephan Ross wants it at a bigger site. All of those parking lots in the Foxtown area [[behind the FOX, Little Ceasers HQ,etc. between Clifford,Cass and Grand River roads) which we DON'T need, is the PERFECT location for it. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

It sucks that it's being moved to the perfect site?

**313WX** · December-11-21, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

It sucks that it's being moved to the perfect site?

I think he meant the site is perfect as an alternative.

**Satiricalivory** · December-11-21, 12:42 PM

IMO it's so much better. Gilbert will find something good to do with the jail site but this new site guarantees that the worst part of downtown will be developed in the near future and out of Ilitch speculator control. It's a Christmas miracle.

**Gistok** · December-11-21, 01:29 PM

The thing that tipped me off early on that the site was possibly going to move to Ilitchville, was that Ross is also developing a 5 parcel site near Masonic Temple, near Charlotte and Third Ave. as residential, within walking distance of this new site.

**southen** · December-12-21, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

The thing that tipped me off early on that the site was possibly going to move to Ilitchville, was that Ross is also developing a 5 parcel site near Masonic Temple, near Charlotte and Third Ave. as residential, within walking distance of this new site.

I hope it will go on the giant lot that fronts Cass Park. It would be nice to see that whole area get an infusion and maybe they will finally put some money into the park. I can't help but wonder though if there are still some Ilitch owned historic structures that will just so happen to be in the footprint of this great, new, amazing project that just must come down.

**Satiricalivory** · December-12-21, 11:33 AM

Highly doubt it would front Cass Park, there's not enough room there.

My bet is somewhere on Grand River behind the Fox.

**southen** · December-12-21, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Satiricalivory

Highly doubt it would front Cass Park, there's not enough room there.

My bet is somewhere on Grand River behind the Fox.

The Innovation Center itself from the renderings could easily fit in the boundaries of the Ilitch lot that fronts Cass with room for other buildings. The site isn't as large as Fail Jail if you want a continuous plot of land but that doesn't mean you can't put parts of the project or different aspects on lots that or across the street or a block or two away. I would think having a large greenspace right there would have some appeal as well as being right next to Cass Tech. The American Hotel could even fulfill some of the housing needs.

**JonWylie** · December-12-21, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by southen

The Innovation Center itself from the renderings could easily fit in the boundaries of the Ilitch lot that fronts Cass with room for other buildings. The site isn't as large as Fail Jail if you want a continuous plot of land but that doesn't mean you can't put parts of the project or different aspects on lots that or across the street or a block or two away. I would think having a large greenspace right there would have some appeal as well as being right next to Cass Tech. The American Hotel could even fulfill some of the housing needs.

Not that I get a vote, but I hope they don't try to assemble a large chunk of land and cut off the roads. Spread it out and keep the street access for the most part. If they want to make one a pedestrian/bike only that would be cool, but I hope they don't try to make it just a huge square and ruin the street grid.

**Gistok** · December-12-21, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by southen

The Innovation Center itself from the renderings could easily fit in the boundaries of the Ilitch lot that fronts Cass with room for other buildings. The site isn't as large as Fail Jail if you want a continuous plot of land but that doesn't mean you can't put parts of the project or different aspects on lots that or across the street or a block or two away. I would think having a large greenspace right there would have some appeal as well as being right next to Cass Tech. The American Hotel could even fulfill some of the housing needs.

I like your idea of fronting the eastern side of Cass Park! Like you said, there's plenty of other space around it to put ancillary buildings on different blocks.

But there's something else that has me wondering... right across the park from that site is the Metropolitan Center for High Technology in the former Kresge's World HQ, which I believe is affiliated with WSU. Perhaps there can be some kind of collaboration between both organizations, to make that whole area a super High Tech center!

**Satiricalivory** · December-12-21, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by southen

The Innovation Center itself from the renderings could easily fit in the boundaries of the Ilitch lot that fronts Cass with room for other buildings. The site isn't as large as Fail Jail if you want a continuous plot of land but that doesn't mean you can't put parts of the project or different aspects on lots that or across the street or a block or two away. I would think having a large greenspace right there would have some appeal as well as being right next to Cass Tech. The American Hotel could even fulfill some of the housing needs.

It doesn't make sense to put it there when the Ilitches own a huge swath of contiguous land right downtown.

IDK Why they would care about being next to Cass Tech, that's just a high school. And they've got beacon park on Grand River. Also I'm pretty sure Crains confirmed they were looking at the land behind the Fox.