UP|Detroit

Bell Building renovation

ZachariahDaMan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:44:39 +0000

The nonprofit Neighborhood Service Organization plans a $50 million mixed-use renovation of the historic Bell Building. It will become its headquarters and a homeless shelter. It won a state brownfield tax credit worth $7.1 million to create six jobs. It will also have 200 apartments.

http://www.deakplanningdesign.com/?page_id=104

Detroit Off Topic

Gangway1111 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:26:11 +0000

I would like to congraduate Mayor Dave Bing for winning re-election as the Mayor of the city of Detroit.
I would also like to congraduate the City of Detroit for picking Bing over .. that.. other guy who dosn't even matter.

The city of Detroit now has steady leadership for the next four years. Hopefully Bing will continue all of the changes he has been making to the city so it will one day rise from the ashes.

Book Tower and Building

Jim856796 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:26:20 +0000

There aren't many green-friendly buildings in Detroit, especially those built from scratch, so the reconstructed Book Tower may be the first. And I hope they clean up the exterior facade while it is being renovated.

Book Tower and Building

andrew69@ltu — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:50:58 +0000

Nice find. I'd also love to see this happen, but considering what seems to happen (or not happen actually) with projects in downtown, I won't get my hopes up until construction actually starts. I'm also really curious to know what the other 710 proposed housing units are supposed to be.

(Thanks for keeping the Detroit forum somewhat alive Zach.)

Detroit Off Topic

ZachariahDaMan — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:29:32 +0000

In response to number 1, the facade of the Fine Arts Building/Adams Theatre was saved. I'm sure you know that Jim, but just to clarify for people that haven't been downtown in a while.

Book Tower and Building

ZachariahDaMan — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:12:21 +0000

The Book Tower and Building are to be turned into 260 green-friendly residences and retail. I am really excited about this, the Book Tower is my second favorite building in the city.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20091028/BIZ/910280442/1001/Green-renovation-plans-unveiled-for-Book-building-in-Detroit

Detroit Off Topic

Jim856796 — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:05:16 +0000

1. The Detroit Fine Arts Building and Adams theatre was demolished in July 2009 and a parking lot is currently on the site.
2. Also, the Detroit Riverside Hotel beside the Convention center has closed despite a recent renovation.
3. And the Cobo Arena may possibly be demolished to necessitate the expansion of the Cobo Convention Center. I think that the Joe Louis Arena and all of the convention center should be demolished also. I will come up with plans for a completely new convention centre and a new arena for the Detroit Red Wings. They will be separate projects.

Charlevoix Hotel

Jim856796 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:12:46 +0000

The Charlevoix Building has been vacant since the late 80s. Since there is basically no discussion on what to do with the hotel, I'm going to be the first to say that this is an empty structure just begging for a reconstruction.

Detroit Clears way for Redevelopment of Book-Cadillac & Fort-Shelby Hotels

Jim856796 — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:53:46 +0000

About the resored Fort Shelby Hotel, the original 1916 building houses the 200 guest rooms and the 1927addition has the 63 apartments?

Detroit's most endangered sites

ZachariahDaMan — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:40:54 +0000

Here is Preservation Wayne's list of 10 places they want saved. I was hoping by posting this to get some discussion going on them....what you think should be saved and what shouldn't, maybe what you would like to see a place used for, anything at all.

1. United Artist Building
2. Wurlitzer Building
3. Book Tower & Book Building
4. Wayne County Building
5. Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue
6. Baker's Keyboard Lounge
7. Michigan State Fairgrounds
8. Packard Plant
9. Woodward Avenue Presbyterian Church
10. Historic Fort Wayne

Lafeyette Building

DPK — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:20:25 +0000

Yep, its fate is sealed. Adamo Group is a demolition team.

Quote

Adamo is a one-stop source for comprehensive demolition and environmental remediation consulting. With forty years of successful engagements in all phases of real estate reuse and site preparation, Adamo’s team has the knowledgebase and hands-on experience to tackle the toughest commercial, industrial, municipal, and residential projects.

2020 Olympics

Jasoncw — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:27:24 +0000

I think Detroit has the potential to host the Olympics sometime in the future, but I don't think it has the money to host it now.

I do think a joint US/Canada Detroit-Windsor bid would be quite special, and if it got to that point (both cities would have to win at the national level, and it would take a lot of cooperation to arrange that), I think it would have a pretty good chance of winning.

Other discussions and the past bids have shown that we actually have the venues to hold a lot of the events, so the idea of hosting the Olympics isn't impractical, but being able to do a good job of hosting it, or being able to get the politics and money to be able to put together a successful bid is another story.

2020 Olympics

URBbum — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:10:30 +0000

Interesting thought here. I've toyed with the general idea in a grand scheme of things.

I think if the larger capacity stadiums were placed on University of Windsor's campus and then grant the stadiums to the University after the games would be nice to see some regional play that the area hardly ever sees.

With a Belle Isle outdoor event development between Oakway and Central Ave it could deter the crime issues that currently are a problem in the undeveloped parts of the island. Meanwhile, keeping the land between Central and Strand natural would add to the ecologically diverse area in plainsight more enjoyable and more willing to explore. Now, if the Aquarium could be brought back to life and the old DYC site, that greets you on the way out, got redeveloped as a possible hotel (park hours consideration) that'd be great.

Redeveloping the Cobo site would be a no-brainer for the Olympics. Also, using the old Tiger Stadium site as an Olympic Village or Marketplace would be nice, but would all surrounding property owners be willing to clean up and redevelop? Doubt it.

A huge issue with a DTW Olympics would be the Bridge and Tunnel. Traffic is already terrible and adding an Olympics to the mix... well. A border-controlled ferry service would be great, but Homeland Security would likely shoot that down before the ink dries.

Just a quick jot of ideas.

2020 Olympics

detwaa84 — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:43:20 +0000

I agree but Chicago also had an advantage that obviously didn't help: It is the only city to have been awarded the olympics (1904) that were later not held there (moved to St. Louis).

2020 Olympics

Gangway1111 — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:48:17 +0000

I think that Faygo pop is pushing something like that.

I was happy Chicago Lost because I think a Detroit/ Windsor joint bid would be the front runner.

Also, Detroit has the record of the city with the most national nominations with out a single win for the Olympics.

Just put a big stadium on Belle Isle for the opening / closing cermonie with views of the Detroit and Windsor skylines and it would be perfect.

2020 Olympics

detwaa84 — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:32:56 +0000

There could be a bright side to Chicago losing the bid for 2016. Detroit and Windsor need to consider what has long been rumored -- joining together and pushing to host the olympics. That would be a first, and firsts' seem to get the votes.

What'd ya'll think?

Lafeyette Building

ZachariahDaMan — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:04:13 +0000

Update from today...

Detroit Photo of the Day

ZachariahDaMan — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:02:52 +0000

Cuts in DDOT bus service

detwaa84 — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:55:20 +0000

Is it just me, or does Bing want his chances of re-election made harder.

Cuts in DDOT bus service

Tig3rzhark313 — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:31:25 +0000

Last month, Dave Bing, the mayor of Detroit has proposed cuts to DDOT bus services.

Some of the proposed cuts included elimination of Sunday service along with longer wait times for all routes and elimination of 24hr service.

Public meetings were already held, and people were outraged.

After the meetings, the cuts were delayed. (See Detroit News and Free Press for articles)

On Thursday, there will be a follow-up meeting on the finalization of the service changes.

I post this in hopes that any interested in this issue would offer solutions to this crisis.