408 replies to this topic

[SkyDave]

Were the PR boys smiling??? If so then the project is a Go!!!

[DetroitBazaar]

Boy, the ups and downs of big city livin'!  I can't wait for the day when private people can pool together some resources to fix some of these buildings up without the need for government designations and breaks.  Now that would be a good sign Detroit has truely started to rise from the ashes in my humble opinion.  Floundering around for year after year does nothing to help matters.  It's time some groups in this city band together and put some money up or pressure those that have it if they really feel this is doable.  I hope all of these buildings mentioned get renovated but it's a sad scene when red tape and tax dollars have to be the saviors.  Detroit must lower taxes.  I went out house hunting and felt like why should I be in an empowerment zone or get some sort of "credit" when there are hundreds of thousands of folks suffering without them because they aren't in strategic locations or have historical designation.  The vast amounts of waste this city is notorious for could compensate for any reasonable tax decrease that would serve all residents and businesses not just those who have been chosen.  My house search was a mess especially when I realized I could buy a larger house in the Pointes or West Bloomfield for what I'd end up paying in property and other taxes.  I love this city.  I was born in this city.  My group spends countless hours in it cleaning up, promoting it, and developing plans that become real.  That said, I feel really bad for the thousands of people who live in outright misery day in and day out and have no options.  Book Caddy, hope it gets a rehab, but let's not forget about some real urban problems that will only serve to continue a vicious cycle started decades ago.

[Allan]

The Book-Cadillac closing has begun....

http://www.freep.com...D=2006606170350

[Mojo]

Allan, on Jun 17 2006, 09:08 AM, said:

The Book-Cadillac closing has begun....

http://www.freep.com...D=2006606170350

THey say crews should be in the BC in the next few weeks.  I think it's only fitting there be some sort of celebration when we see this.  

[Lmichigan]

At the same time, I like how the Free Press has finally realized not to be so naive about projects like these with quotes like this:

"Barring further problems -- and problems are always possible in major projects like this -- the hotel should reopen as the Westin Book-Cadillac in about two or three years."

[rbdetsport]

Lmichigan, on Jun 17 2006, 05:56 PM, said:

At the same time, I like how the Free Press has finally realized not to be so naive about projects like these with quotes like this:

"Barring further problems -- and problems are always possible in major projects like this -- the hotel should reopen as the Westin Book-Cadillac in about two or three years."

I agree with you Lmichigan. Usually they only show the hype, but this time they left some "margin for error."

[andrew.w]

edit

[jdkacz]

man, this is good news, with the b-c finally closing it will be really nice to see some progress on this looong developing project

[Mojo]

I wonder what is in store for the interior of the place?  Will they try to go for a historic look, or modernize the place?

[resourcefulidiot]

modernize with some historic accents...it is a Westin

[Lmichigan]

Yeah, the only real historic preservation taking place, I believe, is the facade restoration.  Can anyone confirm that, or are they simply cleaning it up?

[Allan]

The public rooms of the Book-Cadillac were totally chopped up and remodeled through the various renovations that took place over the years.  After the hotel closed, what did still exist deteriorated considerably, to the point that very little of it could be saved.  The public rooms have been scraped down to bare concrete and steel.  The cost to replicate the plasterwork is too great.  Look for a modern interior with historic accents here and there.  It will be nice, but it won't be like it was in 1924.

[rbdetsport]

FINALLY!!!!!

http://www.detnews.c...2/BIZ/606220360

[MJLO]

This is good news, i'm a little leary even now though, with all the fall thru's that keep happening. But here's hopin.

[rbdetsport]

Big News Day for the Book-Cadillac:

Financing Secured for Detroit Hotel Renovation
http://www.detnews.c...PDATE/606270427

Book-Cadillac will Reborn in Spledor
http://www.freep.com...NEWS11/60627010

It looks like John Gallagher rushed on his article. He didn't title his name at the top of the article. And by Spledor, doesn't he mean splendor?

[BarGal]

rbdetsport, on Jun 27 2006, 03:55 PM, said:

...It looks like John Gallagher rushed on his article. He didn't title his name at the top of the article. And by Spledor, doesn't he mean splendor?...

I guess he's excited too!!

[rbdetsport]

I like that the new structure they are building looks excactly like the historic facade. I didn't expect that.

[tapezord]

interestingly enough... look what building is still in place right behind the southeast corner...

[Lmichigan]

Yes, very interesting, but who knows.  I still think they are going to tear down the Commerce/People's Outfitting Building.

[hudkina]

I don't see why they can't just build the garage on one of the *several* empty lots surrounding the building.  Why should another perfectly fine building be destroyed?