Old MGM Grand Casino to be new Police HQ

**DetroitZack** · June-11-10, 08:31 AM

The city is in the process of buying the old MGM Grand Casino to use for police and fire department HQ and a new crime lab.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100...-new-police-HQ

**kraig** · June-11-10, 08:39 AM

You beat me this time. I was just about to post it.

**JStone** · June-11-10, 08:41 AM

Good news for Corktown?

**DetroitPlanner** · June-11-10, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by JStone

Good news for Corktown?

conversely, bad news for Greektown and Financial district? I've noticed they are installing a hardwood floor in the garage area of the current fire department headquarters. I had assumed that this was being done for offices, but now that makes no sense.

**kraig** · June-11-10, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by JStone

Good news for Corktown?

Let's hope it's a good move for the entire city. Given the parking situation, this might make the police a little more accessible. Unfortunately, this is going to hurt a lot of the businesses over by Greektown. This will cut down on their foot traffic business. This probably means that cops will show up less at 36th District Court for hearings as well.

**SWMAP** · June-11-10, 10:18 AM

From the entry on the Beaubien St. Police headquarters in AIA Detroit [[American institute of Architects Guide to Detroit architecture):
"Albert Kahn elaborated here on his earlier foray into classicism at the Detroit Athletic Club. Some suggest the resemblance was ironically deliberate. In any event, the Italian palazzo model lends dignity and authority to a design that incorporates thoroughly modern construction methods. Here Kahn blends Renaissance details with pier and window patterns commonly found in his commercial architecture."

**rb336** · June-11-10, 10:28 AM

I think it's a great deal for the city. not a bad price, especially if a lot of the security equipment is still in place. They will probably just need to create a sally port and holding cells as the only major renovations

**JBMcB** · June-11-10, 10:38 AM

I understand that they would like a new building and all, but is the "temporary" casino structure really designed to last? It's a *huge* building as well, I'd imagine that maintenance costs would be rather high.

**jackie5275** · June-11-10, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by kraig

Unfortunately, this is going to hurt a lot of the businesses over by Greektown. This will cut down on their foot traffic business.

Not necessarily. The jails & the courthouses are still in that area. Plus, people are still going to go to Greektown for pre & post event eating & drinking.

**detmsp** · June-11-10, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by JBMcB

I understand that they would like a new building and all, but is the "temporary" casino structure really designed to last? It's a *huge* building as well, I'd imagine that maintenance costs would be rather high.

It wasn't built as a temporary casino. It was an IRS building before that. I imagine they will be able to seal off upper floors if they aren't needed and have minimal maintenance costs on those areas.

**kraig** · June-11-10, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by jackie5275

Not necessarily. The jails & the courthouses are still in that area. Plus, people are still going to go to Greektown for pre & post event eating & drinking.

I understand. But, we're still talking about at least 1,000 people that were one street over six days a week not being there. That kind of loss is devastating to businesses that have relied on that business for decades. I don't know if you're aware of it, but Greektown is pretty much that in name only. At best, it's about 15-20% greek.

**gazhekwe** · June-11-10, 11:14 AM

They sunk those foundation pillars deep. I worked across the Lodge and had to listen to those pile drivers day in, day out for weeks.

Retroit · June-11-10, 11:44 AM

I hope MGM left some slot machines behind. I wouldn't want any officers getting bored and falling asleep on the job.

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news...3F-20100608-ms

**n7hn** · June-11-10, 11:49 AM

what an ugly building....... well to me anyway

**Popcanman55** · June-11-10, 11:50 AM

That Sgt is not sleeping and that picture is a over 2 years old.

**SWMAP** · June-11-10, 12:18 PM

Do you hope the facade will be modified so the place looks less garish and honky-tonk - or is that our new image?

**Detroitnerd** · June-11-10, 12:27 PM

I think it's a horrible idea, but it may just make sense.

After all, isn't calling the Detroit police always a gamble?

**DetroitPlanner** · June-11-10, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by SWMAP

Do you hope the facade will be modified so the place looks less garish and honky-tonk - or is that our new image?

Yeah I agree it would be ashame, why mess with perfection?

Maybe we can paint it a more appropriate color such as pink and put a big ole electronic jumbotron style billboard on the side of it!

**wanderinglady** · June-11-10, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by detmsp

It wasn't built as a temporary casino. It was an IRS building before that. I imagine they will be able to seal off upper floors if they aren't needed and have minimal maintenance costs on those areas.

My mom worked for the IRS in that building in the 1970s. It was where the IRS had their computers -- back when computers were humongous. The building [[well, at least its floors) should be pretty sturdy.

**SWMAP** · June-11-10, 12:53 PM

The DPD can hire the designers of the new Starvin' Marvin's on michigan Ave. for tips on how to design a nice business. Already they look like allied businesses.

**JBMcB** · June-11-10, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by detmsp

It wasn't built as a temporary casino. It was an IRS building before that.

I wasn't aware of that. How long ago was the original structure built?

I imagine they will be able to seal off upper floors if they aren't needed and have minimal maintenance costs on those areas.

Or maybe lease out the space to defray operating expenses. I bet if they set up some cheap offices for lawyers and bail bonds offices it would be a rather popular space.

**Johnlodge** · June-11-10, 02:04 PM

I'm not sure I approve of these renovations, they should have put a little more thought into how to redesign it:

**daddeeo** · June-11-10, 02:32 PM

This makes a lot more sense than moving to the old Michigan Central building.
That was an insane idea.
Just hope the police moniker doesn't change from "Book em Dano" to "Roll em Dano".
1300 Beaubien is a real dump .Just seen episodes of the First 48 [[ in Detroit) and the Homicide offices look horrible.

**gnome** · June-11-10, 02:46 PM

Nice work JL, speedy too. Although an etched profile of Warren Evans would be better than the mgm lion.

On balance this seems to be a positive move, but I do wonder about the lack of windows. When it was the IRS building, I seem to remember it had windows, so when the office drones are inside they will never see real sunlight for 4 months at a time.

From November to Feb they will show up in darkness, work under grow lights, and leave in darkness.

Mushroom soup anyone?