Detroit General Development

[Zissou]

What is supposed to go in there? Didn't the plans fall through for the Post Bar?

The plans did fall through on the Post but i believe the plan is to put another bar in there with offices or lofts above.

[rbdetsport]

The plans did fall through on the Post but i believe the plan is to put another bar in there with offices or lofts above.

Hopefully lofts, the lofts there could spur devolpment for the the Broderick Tower.

[Zissou]

A handful of lofts next door wont spur anything for the Broderick. The Broderick is moving along anyway, this project wont make it go any faster.

[Michi]

Wow! I've never seen the rendering before either. It looks great...but I suppose I could make that judgement by just going down there and looking at it in person.

[Zissou]

It really is a shame the people mover will obstruct the views of what looks to be a great building.

[rbdetsport]

They need to have part of the bar on the second floor or offices because who wants to look out their window at a massive cement block.

[RustTown]

When you live in something this short and small, views aren't much of a selling point.

[Allan]

I wouldn't think the views would be as much of an issue as the noise. The People Mover is very noisy as it passes by...every 3 minutes from 7:00am until 11:00pm everyday. At least they fixed it, so now it's not as noisy, but it's still pretty loud.

[RustTown]

I find it a little amusing people are talking about views and transit noise when this is exactly what big city living is all about. People don't think twice about this stuff in Chicago were the El it right outside of their window, blocking their views and making more noise than the People Mover will ever make. I would hope most living downtown would only see these as minor inconviences. If Detroit wants a vibrant downtown, than they must but up with the inconviences of urban living. People living downtown should have the "Big City" mentality. Every mode of living has its downsides, be it urban or suburban.

Edited November 14, 2005 by Lmichigan

[Jin Kim]

Of course people in the other cities think about he noise of the transit system, etc. If they didn't, then buildings with noisy train running next to them wouldn't cost less (due to less demand) than others that doesn't only a block away.

[RustTown]

I don't think you're getting my point.

[RustTown]

BTW, can someone confirm to me that Crosswinds plans for the Villages at/of Woodward (across Woodward from Woodward Place) were rejected because the city wanted something more substantial? I remember hearing that, but forgot where I remember hearing it from. There is a thread asking about it at the Fab Ruins site, and I want to make sure I got my facts right.

[Michi]

From my understanding, that is correct. One of the guys that works in the sales office was also in one of my classes last year. I went into the office one day and was talking with him. Upon asking him about the property on the west side of Woodward, he informed me that the city would not allow Crosswinds to develop there unless there was 0% setback from the sidewalk. Since Crosswinds had other ideas in mind, they will not be developing it.

How credible is this information? I do not know.

[Zissou]

I think its moronic for the city to shoot down a potentially great deal because of set back issues. That particular area needs development badly and the city isnt doing anything to help.

[jsmyers]

I think it would be moronic for the city to allow auto-focused development in this part of the city.

I don't want a gated community or a parking lot on Woodward.

[Allan]

Agreed. Anything built in this part of the city should have no setbacks from the sidewalk. I'm glad to hear that the city isn't just taking crappy development. Detroit needs quality urban development in its core. Sprawl has its place too...out on 7 Mile Road.

[RustTown]

I echo all of these sentiments. I'm glad to see the planning department got some balls. This tracts of land, in specific, should be reserved (like Woodward Place should have been reserved) for true, dense housing. I've never accepted the attitude that Detroit should just take anything because that's all it is going to get, especially in Central Detroit/Greater Downtown. Whatever goes west of Woodward should at least be Ellington caliber, if not better. Woodward Place is getting better with the new gardens project, but it still looks out of place.

[Zissou]

Maybe i missed something with this project. Wasnt it supposed to be some sort of loft development?

[rbdetsport]

I am proud that the city has finally been thinking deep into the plans and aren't just letting everyone of the plans go by. DENSITY and a CITYLIKE FEEL!!!!!

[Michi]

And though building with 0 setback would help to create a sense of traffic-calming, traffic-calming efforts to the physical layout of Woodward needs to be addressed as well. There is NO reason that one should feel the need to drag race down Woodward.

[RustTown]

Why not just shorten Woodward back down a lane or two or add a median up the middle? I can't believe how little traffic I see on it every time I'm in the city. And the speed limit for most of the street is a joke given the width of the street. It's like asking people to do the posted 35 MPH on parts of Saginaw and Oakland in Lansing. It ain't gonna' happen.

[Michi]

Well, I've always envisioned one of the lanes being used for light rail and then the median serving as the space needed for stations. It can be debated on whether Woodward needs 4 or 6 lanes for through-traffic, but I seriously think it could get by with 4...or even better yet 6, with two of those lanes (closest to the median) designated for a sharing by light rail and vehicles.

Seriously though, once you get to Grand Boulevard, Woodward should no longer be thought of as a commuting route. It should be thought of as "the destination" that its northern sections connect to. The "destination" mentality should be in effect from the Boulevard to the river.

And like you said, LMich, people can drive 50+ mph through Midtown without incident, however most go about 40 mph, which is 10 mph too fast, IMO.

[RustTown]

I tend to think the opposite. Woodward (and the others) should get smaller as you get towards downtown, and should be left as is near the outskirts where the car is the key mode of transportation, and will continue to be for the forseeable future. The inner city should be the most walkable for the simple fact that it's already built more dense. The size of the street should reflect that, IMO.

Edited November 15, 2005 by Lmichigan

[Michi]

No, I agree.

Emphasis on Transit-Oriented Development...Walking which is a HUGE element of the different modes of suggested transportation on Woodward.

Edited November 15, 2005 by Michi

[RustTown]

Oh, I guess I was confused about what you meant as "destination."