Greekblock shrinks again

Lorax · September-27-09, 09:50 AM

Well, sadly, this fits nicely with one poster's claim, as in the case of the Lafayette Building and Cass Tech, that all vacant structures need to be demolished immediately upon becoming vacant, which would rid the city of unsightly empty buildings that hang around forever.

Parking lots or weed choked land is always preferable.

**mallory** · September-28-09, 08:44 AM

"They paved paradise, put up a parking lot."

- Joni Mitchell

**erikd** · September-28-09, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by downtownguy

While walking through Greektown today, I was shocked to see Hella's Restaurant had recently been bulldozed. Maybe I've been out of the loop, but this came as a complete surprise. Anybody know what the scoop is? Has the DEGC identified this parcel of land as a new park? [[sarcasm intended) I'm sure that building was probably more than 100 years old. What a shame. What a shame.

The initial plan was to take the old Hellas space, combine it with the Ham Shoppe space, and add on a third floor to create one large building while preserving the existing building exterior. Due to foundation/structural problems with the existing structures, the plan had to be changed, and now there will be a new basement dug out, with a new three-story building constructed on the site.

**ghettopalmetto** · September-28-09, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by erikd

The initial plan was to take the old Hellas space, combine it with the Ham Shoppe space, and add on a third floor to create one large building while preserving the existing building exterior. Due to foundation/structural problems with the existing structures, the plan had to be changed, and now there will be a new basement dug out, with a new three-story building constructed on the site.

I'd like to be the first to invoke Skipper's Rule.

**Gsgeorge** · September-28-09, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by erikd

The initial plan was to take the old Hellas space, combine it with the Ham Shoppe space, and add on a third floor to create one large building while preserving the existing building exterior. Due to foundation/structural problems with the existing structures, the plan had to be changed, and now there will be a new basement dug out, with a new three-story building constructed on the site.

Erikd, while this would be welcome news, how do we know its true? What is your source and who exactly is redeveloping the site?

**leland_palmer** · September-29-09, 10:57 PM

New Hellas Today!
Attachment 3351

**Gsgeorge** · September-29-09, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by leland_palmer

New Hellas Today!
Attachment 3351

Good lord, that's depressing. What the hell[[as) is wrong with this city?

**jcole** · September-29-09, 11:12 PM

It's not the city in this instance. The older couple who owned it wanted to retire and had no one to take over. What were they supposed to do, die in the kitchen?

**wolverine** · September-29-09, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by jcole

It's not the city in this instance. The older couple who owned it wanted to retire and had no one to take over. What were they supposed to do, die in the kitchen?

Under that logic, I hope my landlords don't die. If they do my building will be demolished. There are plenty of ways to unload a building.

Even with a replacement, it's still a shame. Can't wait for the faux brick exterior and fiberglass cornices to go up on some cheap infill piece. If that's all it takes, Greektown can be fabricated elsewhere.

**royce** · September-30-09, 01:29 AM

Now if they could only tear down the Wayne County Sheriff's office it the back of Hellas and build some new restaurants along that street [[Macomb?), with say a United Nations theme, then you could add some new life to Greektown.

**downtownguy** · September-30-09, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by jcole

It's not the city in this instance. The older couple who owned it wanted to retire and had no one to take over. What were they supposed to do, die in the kitchen?

You're suggesting it's the former restaurateurs that tore it down. Do you know that to be true? I thought ownership had changed hands and then it got tied up in the lawsuit referenced earlier in this thread.

**downtownguy** · September-30-09, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by erikd

The initial plan was to take the old Hellas space, combine it with the Ham Shoppe space, and add on a third floor to create one large building while preserving the existing building exterior. Due to foundation/structural problems with the existing structures, the plan had to be changed, and now there will be a new basement dug out, with a new three-story building constructed on the site.

Erikd, can you elaborate on your source? Wouldn't there have been some engineering work to determine ahead of time if this was feasible? Sorry, I'm not buying it.

**jcole** · September-30-09, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by downtownguy

You're suggesting it's the former restaurateurs that tore it down. Do you know that to be true? I thought ownership had changed hands and then it got tied up in the lawsuit referenced earlier in this thread.

What I am suggesting is that if this is a privately owned building the owner has a perfect right to tear it down if they so wish. Unless it was declared a historic landmark, they can do what they like with it.

**Detroitnerd** · September-30-09, 01:35 PM

I cry foul. We're talking about one thing, tearing it down, right? Not the city this time. But disingenuous to then bring up Gus and family, who had no say in the disposition of the property. I question your motives when you skirt so close to mendacity.

**jcole** · September-30-09, 01:46 PM

How do you know that they have no say in the disposition of the property? Are you privy to their financial records and transactions?
And don't call me a liar and then tack a smiley face on it as if that makes it better.

**Detroitnerd** · September-30-09, 03:19 PM

They sold the building to somebody else that had a business plan, right? So the conflation of Gus and family and the demo is bogus.

And go jump in a lake. I'll smile when I like.

**jcole** · September-30-09, 04:02 PM

I'm not going to get in a pissing match with you. I politely asked you not to call me a liar. Now I'm politely asking you not to be rude. Go smile at someone else

**erikd** · September-30-09, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by downtownguy

Erikd, can you elaborate on your source? Wouldn't there have been some engineering work to determine ahead of time if this was feasible? Sorry, I'm not buying it.

My sources are two different people who both know the owner. I don't know how much pre-engineering and feasibility studies went into the initial plan, but the site activity supports what I have been told. The building in question is actually 3 different buildings, 2 of which had been added onto and/or combined over the years.

These buildings were not bulldozed in one big demolition. The additions off the rear of the buildings were deconstructed first, leaving the original buildings intact. This is clear evidence of a plan to save and reuse the original buildings. If they had initially planned to demolish all of the structures on the site, they would have just bulldozed everything right off the bat.

**Savoyard** · October-01-09, 10:49 AM

Now I'm not buying it. I watched the demolition first-hand, and believe me, these buildings were not "deconstructed". The backhoe that in the pix above took the walls down within 3 days. Anything steel was separated, presumably for scrap. All the bricks [[except for the one I salvaged) are sitting in a landfill somewhere. The footprint seems too small for a parking lot, so it will be interested what happens with the site.

**Lowell** · October-02-09, 12:32 AM

I shot this on Sept. 7 while waiting for the light. One can still seen the Mediterra Italian Bistro coming soon sign. Maybe the removed upper windows should have offere a clue to what was coming.

**Gistok** · October-02-09, 02:04 AM

Thanks for the pics Lowell... without the awnings it finally became clear what the buildings look like. The one on the corner had especially nice detailing over the 2nd floor windows.

I had only ever been inside once... I thought it was too dumpy..

Although I don't care for this demo... I'm waiting to see what the new plans are for this space. If it's anything resembling the horrible infill of Greektown casino across the street [[next to the St. Mary's School building)... or something with "Lee Press-On bricks" like the temporary Greektown Casino... it'll be a loss for Greektown,

But if an attractive 3 story fancy brick building in the spirit of Greektown is built, then it may lessen the loss.

When the New Parthenon was remodeled many years ago... they ripped out the interior of the 2 story building [[floors and all) and inserted an attractive 5 level terraced interior that has withstood the test of time...

This site is [[as has been stated) too small to be a parking lot... and too valuable to sit vacant... especially since it's facing both Monroe Ave. and the Greektown Hotel.

Well just have to wait and see...

EastSider · October-02-09, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by Gistok

But if an attractive 3 story fancy brick building in the spirit of Greektown is built, then it may lessen the loss.

I'd settle for a viable business, regardless of whether it were built of fake brick or legos.

**Fury13** · October-02-09, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by EastSider

I'd settle for a viable business, regardless of whether it were built of fake brick or legos.

I vote for something architecturally undistinguished, preferably constructed out of prefabricated, poured-concrete components. Let's keep the new building consistent with other recent construction in the city.

In other words, keep it real.

**reddog289** · October-03-09, 12:59 AM

Well having not been in that area in two years, I myself need to take a ride. Take the oldest girl down there and ask if she see's something missing.
First Stella, and now Hellas. What ever goes there I hope it fits in and does well.
If anything Greektown was the area which got me to like Downtown, And that was due to the bike races that were held there.Then Trappers Alley which as a teen I would visit with the relatives.In my mind it isn't the Greektown I grew up with, Yet Greektown has evolved in many ways over my 40 yrs.
As long as Subway don't end up there things might be OK.