Old MGM Grand Casino to be new Police HQ

**kraig** · June-15-10, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by bartock

You'd probably have to double the purchase price if it were the old regime, and probably double the renovation costs as well. Bobby Ferguson doesn't come cheap.

Regarding the taxes, Brenda Watson is one to talk.

The idea of the old building becoming legal offices, etc., is actually a very feasible one. The Mayor's office did say that there were private parties interested in purchasing it and the FD building.

You mean JoAnn Watson. Between getting Watson and Jones confused and someone on another thread getting Mary Waters and Barabara Rose Collins confused illustrates the dangers of name recognition.

bartock · June-15-10, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by kraig

You mean JoAnn Watson. Between getting Watson and Jones confused and someone on another thread getting Mary Waters and Barabara Rose Collins confused illustrates the dangers of name recognition.

Good point. My Bad.

**bailey** · June-15-10, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by bartock

You'd probably have to double the purchase price if it were the old regime, and probably double the renovation costs as well. Bobby Ferguson doesn't come cheap.

The idea of the old building becoming legal offices, etc., is actually a very feasible one. The Mayor's office did say that there were private parties interested in purchasing it and the FD building.

I was really focusing on the hurry up, this must be approved now because there are so many others looking at this property/deal. I mean c'mon.

She's got a point. Why should Detroit pay anything to MGM? And who is really looking at this property with a very limited potential for use?

Because it's "old" and "outdated" and has "awkward floor plates". Really, just pick your favorite excuse for laziness and a culture bereft of dignity.

Never mind that people in other countries live and work in buildings from the 13th century.

Yes, 700 year old jail cells would really meet with 21st century standards. Look if you have a problem with the consent orders [[not a few of which have to do with the "old and "outdated" facilities), take it up with the hippies at that ACLU.

**Detroitnerd** · June-15-10, 03:05 PM

Whenever the Detroit leadership is in a hurry to seal a deal, don't it always seem it's a stinker for the public and a boon for the well-connected? I'd say you can hold off on this one and see if it was a ludicrous and ill-advised as the Moroun-MCS deal eventually seemed.

bartock · June-15-10, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by bailey

I was really focusing on the hurry up, this must be approved now because there are so many others looking at this property/deal. I mean c'mon.

She's got a point. Why should Detroit pay anything to MGM?

Yes, 700 year old jail cells would really meet with 21st century standards. Look if you have a problem with the consent orders, take it up with the hippies at that ACLU.

Hey, half of what you quoted did not come from me. The prior administration's "hurry up" apparently had ulterior motives. I'm not so sure the Bing Administration is trying to rush through in order to line Bing's pockets. Besides, they had no problems immediately approving a water and sewer rate hike today.

I am guessing that part of MGM Grand's deal with the City regarding the temporary casino covers the tax and resale bit. The "final deal" regarding the temporary casino changed a number of times as the city and state looked to take bigger cuts of the taxes. I freely admit that it is simply a guess on my part, nothing to back it up.

**Hypestyles** · July-14-10, 02:06 PM

I saw a letter to the editor in the Free Press that the Casino should donate the facility.. how would such a transaction take place, could it realistically happen..

**Ray1936** · July-14-10, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Hypestyles

I saw a letter to the editor in the Free Press that the Casino should donate the facility.. how would such a transaction take place, could it realistically happen..

Nope. MGM is in business to make money. Their civic and chartible affairs are extremely slim. They're also not in great shape financially [[on the corporate level).

On the other hand, all the Grand Pooh-Bahs that run Detroit are full of talk and very little action, so I suspect my former colleagues will be running in and out of 1300 for an awful long time to come.

**stromberg2** · July-14-10, 03:51 PM

A party for Ray when he hits 1000 posts. Closing in, Ray!

Stromberg2

**jackie5275** · July-20-10, 12:08 PM

It's official now!

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100...ns-for-old-MGM

http://www.freep.com/article/2010072...-for-police-HQ

**bailey** · July-20-10, 12:16 PM

so, what will 1300 Beaubian be used for? Will there be yet another purpose built vacant building sitting downtown with no prospects for renovation or re-use?

**Ray1936** · July-20-10, 02:22 PM

If they tear down 1300, I sure want to get the cornerstone. I know what's in it.

16 to go for 1000, I see. LOL

**Genesyxx** · July-20-10, 02:44 PM

1300 will most likely be razed and turned into parking as per the norm. Can't see anybody building something extravagant with WC Jail in the background. As for 250 Larned it'll probably mothball, unless the city can put it to good use. As an office building, it'd be decent, but I used to work there and HVAC systems need a fair amount of upgrading.

**MSUguy** · July-20-10, 04:01 PM

Why they are issuing $100 million in bonds when it's costing $56 ,millions I under the potential for cost overruns, but this seems excessive.

**BrushStart** · January-25-11, 12:24 PM

Council has reversed. DPD will be headquartered at former MGM Grand building. Modification work is to begin at once: http://www.freep.com/article/2011012...t-old-MGM-site

**begingri** · January-25-11, 12:27 PM

The Detroit City Council reversed course today and narrowly approved a $65-million plan to convert the MGM Grand Detroit's former temporary casino site into a new public safety headquarters.

The 5-4 vote means crews soon will begin repurposing the vacant 75,000-square-foot building along the Lodge Freeway to house police, fire and EMS personnel and a state-of-the-art crime lab for Michigan State Police.

Last week, six of nine council members rejected the plan, partly over an unrelated dispute with Mayor Dave Bing involving public TV.

Council President Charles Pugh, who led the dissenters, said he reversed his vote after council members and Bing reopened discussions on preserving live council broadcasts on public-access Channel 10.

Supporters said the vote was a no-brainer because the council already approved the $6.3 million purchase of the MGM building and a $100 million bond to help fund it.

"Time is money," Council President Pro Tem Gary Brown said. "If we continue to delay this issue, we're going to be the ones to force the costs overruns."
Bing applauded the decision.

"I applaud those council members who approved the bonds for a new Detroit Police Department headquarters," Bing said. "We must continue to provide public safety officers the resources they need and deserve to do their jobs."

Opponents of the plan said they want a headquarters in a more densely populated area so its easy for residents to access.

"I think MGM is too remote," Councilman Kenneth Cockrel Jr. said.

Source: http://www.freep.com/article/2011012...into-police-HQ

**bailey** · January-25-11, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by BrushStart

Council has reversed. DPD will be headquartered at former MGM Grand building. Modification work is to begin at once: http://www.freep.com/article/2011012...t-old-MGM-site

Adios 1300.

**RickBeall** · January-25-11, 12:56 PM

Better put it in the Green Zone [[like Iraq).

**Genesyxx** · January-25-11, 12:57 PM

I'm concerned of the remoteness of the station as well, but the move was already made for them when they bought the building. Now I can look forward to the demolition of 1300.

**Detroitnerd** · January-25-11, 01:00 PM

Can't wait to see the Fire Department and 1300 Beaubien demolished. That's going to be terrific. More parking! Great job, Detroit leaders!

**BrushStart** · January-25-11, 01:15 PM

Wow, must be some pessimism in the water this morning. I, for one, think moving to the MGM Grand site is a good one, and there's no reason to start believing 1300 will be demolished. We have no idea what plans will materialize. Perhaps DPD will maintain an outpost there as it is next door to the jail. Perhaps they will sell it to Kefallinos who will develop it into an awesome loft building. As I see it, one large building will no longer be abandoned and a smaller one will have the potential for future use. Let's not forget that DPD really does need a new facility.

**Detroitnerd** · January-25-11, 01:20 PM

Yeah, I'm very pessimistic about Detroit's ability to redevelop -- let alone secure -- historic properties. Or, judging by the record, you could call me a realist ...

Augustiner · January-25-11, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by BrushStart

Perhaps they will sell it to Kefallinos who will develop it into an awesome loft building.

I thought he only did shitty loft buildings.

**BrushStart** · January-25-11, 01:22 PM

Need some help here.... anyone? anyone?

**jcole** · January-25-11, 01:29 PM

Beaubien was a dump when my dad worked there 40 yrs ago

Originally Posted by daddeeo

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.

**MSUguy** · January-25-11, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

Can't wait to see the Fire Department and 1300 Beaubien demolished. That's going to be terrific. More parking! Great job, Detroit leaders!

Anyone who's been in 1300 can tell you that it is extremely outdated for it's current use and renovation for modern PD use is more expensive than using MGM. So do you have a feasible solution or just snark ?