Deconstruction at Woodward + Warren

**Hans57** · July-02-10, 08:31 AM

So, the university has finally decided to start tearing down the structure at Woodward and Warren. I heard a while back this was proposed to be an auditorium of sorts. Anybody hear about this?

**Rocko** · July-02-10, 08:59 AM

Which corner are you talking about....the SW corner where those italianate commercial buildings are? Weren't those full of viable businesses?

**Hans57** · July-02-10, 09:02 AM

Yes, the southwest corner. The building that they started to demolish is in between the old Utrecht building and the Italianate building to the south. They demolished the rear of the old Dominoes location, but the facade is still up.

**hybridy** · July-02-10, 09:05 AM

i always heard wsu wanted to put a hotel there...

**Rocko** · July-02-10, 09:07 AM

So it's the middle of the three buildings on that block, between the southern building with the 3rd floor window arches and the northern building which is painted red? Sorry I don't know the individual names. Is it just this center building coming down, or more of that block for WSU's grand plan? Thanks.

**DetroitPlanner** · July-02-10, 11:16 AM

Why build a new one? Rackham has a great audutorium that is hardly used.

**Zacha341** · July-02-10, 11:41 AM

Great point! The Rackham is wonderful. CCS used to have their commencment ceremonies there until they started to have them at the Opera House along with everyone else.

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

Why build a new one? Rackham has a great audutorium that is hardly used.

**Detroitej72** · July-02-10, 11:48 AM

Why tear down viable businesses when there are plenty of empty ones around town that could be razed?

**Warrenite84** · July-02-10, 11:59 AM

Those have been empty for some time. The red brick building with white trim is used by the WSU psychology dept. the others north of it are good to go IMHO. Something 3-5 stories there with a early 1900's storefront facade would be good to see there.

**Detroitnerd** · July-02-10, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by Warrenite84

Those have been empty for some time. The red brick building with white trim is used by the WSU psychology dept. the others north of it are good to go IMHO. Something 3-5 stories there with a early 1900's storefront facade would be good to see there.

The university has been quietly acquiring all those businesses. This is basically what they did to the north side of Woodward in the early 1990s. Closed down the deli, imploded the Mackenzie, and then built their glorious welcome center and parking garage.

Goodbye Potato Place. Good luck, Marwil. Hope your new space works out Utrecht. The university has spoken.

**ScienceFair** · July-02-10, 12:59 PM

At least WSU seems to have a plan and a sense of urgency. How many buildings get demo'd in this city without anything to replace them? There are plenty of unused buildings along Woodward, and I for one am glad to see more positive development in the area.

bartock · July-02-10, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by ScienceFair

At least WSU seems to have a plan and a sense of urgency. How many buildings get demo'd in this city without anything to replace them? There are plenty of unused buildings along Woodward, and I for one am glad to see more positive development in the area.

Agreed. Can't say enough about what WSU has done for the area in the last 12-15 years.

**DetroitZack** · July-02-10, 02:13 PM

I took some pictures of this demolition yesterday. I'm glad people here are so on top of things. I will post the pictures later.

**casscorridor** · July-02-10, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by hybridy

i always heard wsu wanted to put a hotel there...

Yes. That is exactly what I heard from the owner of the Quick Stop on West Warren.

I heard they want to build a hotel AND convention center.

Hopefully whatever happens there will be more retail and restaurants. It pisses me off to an incredibly high degree how few places stay open past "business" hours around the university. These businesses owners think that at 5 PM everyone packs up and goes home to the suburbs, while ignoring the THOUSANDS of kids who live on/near campus, hungry kids with money from their parents to blow on food and clothing. Why isn't there a late night pizza place for instance? Or a coffee shop? Why isn't there even a place to by basics clothing items like socks underwear?!?!

The university claims to be pro-urban development, but they are doing a poor job. Most places don't even open at all on Saturday and Sunday, like Freshens or Olympia Grille. And on weekdays they close before it gets dark. WSU should have a policy of only allowing businesses to open if they promise to have REGULAR hours, like any other college area and every other major city. Even Ypsi has late night shit next to the EMU campus. What the hell is Wayne States problem?

There is SOOOOO much potential that is not being realized because most businesses owners don't understand the magnitude of potential. I think students should just say, hell with this and start their own places.

**fryar** · July-02-10, 03:36 PM

Yeah downtown used to have the same issue, a lot of restaurants closing fairly early, and having reduced or no hours on the weekends, the CVS not being 24-hours, all that. The instance you get critical mass in terms of density, that will change.
I totally understand your frustration with that. I don't suppose Wayne State can do much about it, though. The more limitations they put on their tenants, the more they shoot themselves in the foot.

**Zacha341** · July-02-10, 03:56 PM

Well yes and no, since Dominos left there's not alot there. There was a scuzzy little liquor store crammed in there years back, a small independent copy store, a business school about [[several fly by night versions actually) about 6 years ago, and something else on the south end. With the art store anchoring the north east corner.... the whole strip has been mostly abandoned lately.

Originally Posted by Detroitej72

Why tear down viable businesses when there are plenty of empty ones around town that could be razed?

**Zacha341** · July-02-10, 04:04 PM

Excellent points CC!!! It angers me to no end that there are so few campus restaurants in the general campus area... and the roll-up-the-side-walk at 5pm factor.

Actually in Detroit overall unless you're talking upscale, trendy, or "table-cloth" downtown spots or what remains of Greektown or the dreaded casino restaurants/ buffets you're out of luck. Thank goodness for Union Street and Cass Cafe, and a couple of others but that's about it! With the exception of the Woodward area further south with Biggbie and Starters...

One thing I noted about east Dearborn is there are restaurants and bakeries running as late as 10:00 pm. And some restaurants open past midnight. We do not have that... WSU is a ghost town on the weekends. And trying to park is just nuts to get grab a bit at Olymipia Grill during peak meter maid hours.

It's ends up being more convenient to go to one the border suburbs and eat... if you have a car! Thus WSU does not not have the same level of social life and commerce like other colleges.

Originally Posted by casscorridor

Yes. That is exactly what I heard from the owner of the Quick Stop on West Warren.

I heard they want to build a hotel AND convention center.

Hopefully whatever happens there will be more retail and restaurants. It pisses me off to an incredibly high degree how few places stay open past "business" hours around the university. These businesses owners think that at 5 PM everyone packs up and goes home to the suburbs, while ignoring the THOUSANDS of kids who live on/near campus, hungry kids with money from their parents to blow on food and clothing. Why isn't there a late night pizza place for instance? Or a coffee shop? Why isn't there even a place to by basics clothing items like socks underwear?!?!

The university claims to be pro-urban development, but they are doing a poor job. Most places don't even open at all on Saturday and Sunday, like Freshens or Olympia Grille. And on weekdays they close before it gets dark. WSU should have a policy of only allowing businesses to open if they promise to have REGULAR hours, like any other college area and every other major city. Even Ypsi has late night shit next to the EMU campus. What the hell is Wayne States problem?

There is SOOOOO much potential that is not being realized because most businesses owners don't understand the magnitude of potential. I think students should just say, hell with this and start their own places.

**casscorridor** · July-02-10, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by fryar

Yeah downtown used to have the same issue, a lot of restaurants closing fairly early, and having reduced or no hours on the weekends, the CVS not being 24-hours, all that. The instance you get critical mass in terms of density, that will change.
I totally understand your frustration with that. I don't suppose Wayne State can do much about it, though. The more limitations they put on their tenants, the more they shoot themselves in the foot.

Well, maybe not more limitations, but maybe a friendly encouragement. Or if there are two competing proposals for opening a store, take the one that promises to stay open later. Or give incentives, like reduced rent if they stay open later. Whatever it is, they could do something.

The President wants a 24/7 campus but it couldn't be further from that. Only Bars stay open late, and there are thousands of students who are under 21. Hundreds in the dorms that stay in every night instead of a night out on the town. This includes CCS too. The campuses aren't very outwardly social. There needs to be more social spaces, down to something as simple as a late night coffee shop. Bars stay open till 2 AM, why can't coffee shops?

Bearinabox · July-02-10, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Well yes and no, since Dominos left there's not alot there. There was a scuzzy little liquor store crammed in there years back, a small independent copy store, a business school about [[several fly by night versions actually) about 6 years ago, and something else on the south end. With the art store anchoring the north east corner.... the whole strip has been mostly abandoned lately.

Well, yeah, because WSU kicked out all the tenants so they could go through with their redevelopment plans. You can't just knock down a bunch of occupied buildings, you have to clear them out first.

**Whitehouse** · July-02-10, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Hans57

Yes, the southwest corner. The building that they started to demolish is in between the old Utrecht building and the Italianate building to the south. They demolished the rear of the old Dominoes location, but the facade is still up.

Utrecht building? Can somebody explain that Dutch connection??

Are they going to tear this red building down? I've seen worse looking buildings....
http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/?or...t35c76w9szw3kk

**English** · July-02-10, 04:39 PM

Give the area some credit! It's MUCH improved over when I was a resident in the early 2000s.

In fact, I'd argue that it's not terrible on Saturdays down there. It's Sunday when Midtown, and the city in general, can be kind of quiet. But I actually used to enjoy that, a lot, and am looking forward to it again.

**Zacha341** · July-02-10, 04:39 PM

I hear that. I was not aware of why the Domino's for example left... how long has this forced evacuation been going on? Was it sudden or incremental, like pushing the lease rates up and up. I recall when Radio Shack left. Was that the beginning of the end?

Originally Posted by Bearinabox

Well, yeah, because WSU kicked out all the tenants so they could go through with their redevelopment plans. You can't just knock down a bunch of occupied buildings, you have to clear them out first.

**English** · July-02-10, 04:40 PM

Also, aren't Utrecht and Radio Shack on the ground floor of the new Studio One apartments? Those businesses didn't go away, they just moved down the street.

**fryar** · July-02-10, 04:41 PM

Casscorridor, I hear you, and I agree for the most part. I just think that if I were they guy in charge of property management for WSU, I would find it difficult to balance all of that with the need to at least break even. Although there is something to the idea of being more creative about whom you choose as a tenant.
Dude, keep that idea in mind and toss it over, put together a business plan and enter it in business plan competitions, and try to make it happen. All you have to do is break even. Maybe WSU's property manager would be willing to lower the rent in the first year to help you make the President's vision a reality, or something like that. I don't mean that in a lecturing way, but in an encouraging way. It'd be a form of activism, really.
Or not. For all I know, you're majoring in astrophysics, and would be a terrible restauranteur. But if you thought you'd be up to it, could you deal with maybe living with your parents again for a year after school while you try your hands at this? It could work, you're right on the money with your complaint, after all.