New Detroit Arena?

[schulzte]

Any news about a possible new Red Wings arena? I posted once here before, but this is my final document about a new Red Wings Arena design. I realize it may be awhile before something gets moving due to the current economic situation. Again, not a professional work, but the people that have taken a look at it really seem to like it. I wanted to post a link here so some of you could see it. See what you think....it's at
www.newolympia.blogspot.com

[motorfamilymotorcity]

Couldn't open the doc, schulzte.

There won't be in new arena until the wings start to suck, imo.

[schulzte]

Sorry, I tried to link to a document but it didn't work. Try my website at www.newolympia.blogspot.com

[croweblack]

interesting.

I thnk your blog proves a point and that is there is no room for rink where you have put it. Would they really tear down the kales building or the other apartent building right next door?

you should also consider the area across from motor city.

[motorfamilymotorcity]

My 11 year old son just read this and seen your blog. He is mad that anyone would ever consider Red Wings hockey anywhere except at the Joe.

Anyway, interesting blog - not sure about the location though.

[izzyindetroit]

Does anyone know if the NHL would allow open air hockey, i.e. retractable roof?

[motorfamilymotorcity]

They did in Chicago on New Year's Day!!!

Seriously, I doubt it. It would add a potentially controllable variable [[or advantage), and the ice would probably be a beatch to maintain

[FlyingJ]

"My 11 year old son just read this and seen your blog. He is mad that anyone would ever consider Red Wings hockey anywhere except at the Joe."

Didja explain yet to the lad there was once a magical place called The Olympia? or Victoria Arena for you old school types...

[Beech Cricker]

Didja explain yet to the lad there was once a magical place called The Olympia?

Bravo, Flying J! The current building cannot hold a candle to the greatest arena ever built, that being at Grand River and McGraw.

[Norwalk]

My guess is that it will be located on the large site that was recently cleared near the Motor City Casino. Lots of activity there in recnet months

[ddf313]

Not enough thought put into that.... Actually, very interesting, thanks for putting your time into a solution. I bet with refining you could get rid of your restricted view seats. Have you ever forwarded these ideas to anyone important?

I also feel that even though we've all been led to believe that the arena will go in Foxtown, I think three other areas have a chance and are being mentioned not just for leverage, but because they are actually candidates to land the project.

First, I think the Motor City Casino area, which originally was slated for another high rise hotel, is the first choice. The NHL might not like being neighbors with a casino, but I don't like being neighbors with the guy who uses a chainsaw constantly after dark. The point is, I really have no say.

Second, I think the Northwest Corner of I-75 and Woodward is sitting perfect and ready for an Arena.

And last, I think that the Tiger Stadium sight could handle an arena while still using the remains of the old stadium.

I've also heard in a smoky dark room that the Masonic Temple property is also in play.

I can't wait until this current national recession and local depression is over.

[motorfamilymotorcity]

"My 11 year old son just read this and seen your blog. He is mad that anyone would ever consider Red Wings hockey anywhere except at the Joe."

Didja explain yet to the lad there was once a magical place called The Olympia? or Victoria Arena for you old school types...

Actually I did, with the help of schulzte's blog!

[Gsgeorge]

Would they really tear down the kales building or the other apartent building right next door?

According to his site plan, none of the buildings along Adams Street would be touched, including the Kales.

[Bearinabox]

I've also heard in a smoky dark room that the Masonic Temple property is also in play.

Wait, what? Is it time to start a Don't Knock Down The Masonic Temple For a Fucking Hockey Arena facebook group/online petition/can drive?

[Gistok]

I hardly think that the Masonic Temple is in any danger.... if Ilitch was really interested in knocking it down for an arena, he wouldn't have paid the past due utility bills and taken over booking for the 2 theatres. He would have let it close [[once the electricity was shut off) and let it start to decline

He doesn't own it [[probably doesn't want to considering how high the property taxes would be), but benefits from it remaining open and being well maintained.

[Retroit]

Pardon my ignorance, but what lame excuse has been devised for not playing in the Joe Louis arena any more? Are we reaching a point where life-spans of stadia are reduced to such a point that construction and destruction of them becomes the only revitalization this city receives?

[Bloomfield Pills]

Pardon my ignorance, but what lame excuse has been devised for not playing in the Joe Louis arena any more? Are we reaching a point where life-spans of stadia are reduced to such a point that construction and destruction of them becomes the only revitalization this city receives?

Haven't you heard? A new hockey stadium will generate economic development, and thus will put money into the taxpayers' pockets.

Seriously, not one red public cent for a new arena. If Mike Ilitch wants a new place for his team to play, that's fine -- let him pay for it himself.

Any expenditure -- any money at all -- during these tough economic times would be absolutely unconscionable.

[Jason]

I think any new arena should be a new design specifically for the new site [[not a modified version of the old design).

And I think that Olympia is in the past, and Detroit should be looking towards its future. Reusing the old design just shows the world that we're too busy scrambling to return to the past to be able to be forward thinking.

I'd rather there be an architecture competition for the new design, and should be done in such a way to attract world-class submitions [[for a world-class hockey team). Then, an all around solid design should be selected, anticipating short term and long term needs. It would remind people that Detroit is capable of being progressive and high quality, and it wouldn't need to be rebuilt every few decades.

The Joe was built quick and dirty to keep the Wings from moving to the suburbs. This time it can be done the right way. But that would cost money, and I think the new one will also be built quick and dirty, but this time to simply maximize profits.

[Retroit]

My design submission for a new stadium would be a stadium in the shape of a dollar sign. Call it Taxpayer Revival or Neo-Cynicism

[buildingsofdetroit]

For starters, no way is Kales going anywhere. It was just redeveloped, as was Cliff Bell's, Park Bar, etc. I think the spot on MLK by Ilitch's casino is a possibility, as is the wide open space on the north side of 75 since Ilitch just bought the Eddystone and Park Ave. hotels. Not sure if he'd have to close roads to do that, though.

[ddf313]

I like the idea of an arena going north of 75 and west of Woodward. We are just a few really long blocks away from making downtown meet up with Wayne State/ New Center.

Wait, I just said "we" but I don't live in Detroit....

Spend a ton of cash there though.

[Fury13]

No way is a new hockey arena going into the middle of Park Avenue at Grand Circus Park. Get rid of the Kales and Cliff Bell's? Extinguish a growing nightclub and entertainment district along Park? Crazy!

A site near Motor City casino does seem the most viable

Olympia is just nostalgia; a new arena should be modern and look toward the future.

[Beech Cricker]

Olympia is just nostalgia; a new arena should be modern and look toward the future.

Really? Then explain the success of the retro ballparks that have popped up beginning with Camden Yards in Baltimore.

I see no reason hockey can't do that too--blend the good of the past with the good of the current and future.

[raptor56]

I think any new arena should be a new design specifically for the new site [[not a modified version of the old design).

And I think that Olympia is in the past, and Detroit should be looking towards its future. Reusing the old design just shows the world that we're too busy scrambling to return to the past to be able to be forward thinking.

I'd rather there be an architecture competition for the new design, and should be done in such a way to attract world-class submitions [[for a world-class hockey team). Then, an all around solid design should be selected, anticipating short term and long term needs. It would remind people that Detroit is capable of being progressive and high quality, and it wouldn't need to be rebuilt every few decades.

The Joe was built quick and dirty to keep the Wings from moving to the suburbs. This time it can be done the right way. But that would cost money, and I think the new one will also be built quick and dirty, but this time to simply maximize profits.

Agree 100%. We live in the past too much around here. I sometimes think if Detroit could permanently live if the 1950's, you folks would be in eternal bliss. I would love to see a nice modern, unique hockey arena. They did it with Ford Field, why can't they do it with the new hockey rink?

[crawford]

There have been like 100 threads on a supposed new arena for the Wings, and I have no idea why.

Illitch cannot afford to build a new arena right now, and there's no way Detroit or Michigan are going to pay for an arena right now.

Maybe in 10 years.