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.

**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.

**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.

**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

Bearinabox · July-02-10, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by Whitehouse

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

Utrecht is a chain of art supply stores, and there used to be one in that building. According to Wikipedia, it's named after a street in New York, which, of course, was once New Amsterdam. There's your Dutch connection.

**wolverine** · July-02-10, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by Whitehouse

Utrecht building? Can somebody explain that Dutch connection??

Utrechts is a chain store of art supplies found in many large US cities. It is not named after the dutch city, but the street of which the first store operated in New York. I used to buy supplies in the old building back in college. Haven't seen their new location yet.

**R8RBOB** · July-03-10, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by Whitehouse

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

I haven't driven past the corner of Woodward and Warren in a long time. I remember when Roscoe's was on the northwest corner where the Welcome Center is now located. Only proves nothing last forever.

**Zacha341** · July-03-10, 07:12 AM

My history in that area goes back decades, I recall then the art store was called Favor Ruhl! Imagine that... circa 1980! And let's not forget the Tandy leather company that was next to the Radio Shack. Or maybe the Radio Shack replaced Tandy. This was in the mid, late seventies.......

Originally Posted by R8RBOB

I haven't driven past the corner of Woodward and Warren in a long time. I remember when Roscoe's was on the northwest corner where the Welcome Center is now located. Only proves nothing last forever.

**Mackinaw** · July-03-10, 01:57 PM

What a pathetic waste. Nice job, wayne.

**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?

**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?

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.

**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.

**lo_to_d** · July-04-10, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Detroitnerd

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

Minus Utrecht, I don't think those businesses are going anywhere, It was just the buildings on Woodward, no? This plan has been going on relatively quietly for years. Thank God that WSU did a masterplan and has taken the lead roll in development. The area has so much more potential and has already transformed dramatically. Hopefully, the small businesses can be fostered both existing and new.

**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.

**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.