Detroit Photo of the Day

[Allan]

Saturday, April 2, 2005

Detroit has parking garage fever. Yet another parking garage is being constructed downtown. This one is located on the site of the Grand Trunk Building, which was just demolished last year. When completed, it will service the tenants in the Dime Building.

[RustTown]

I'm livid that they didn't even have the respect to reclad the garage they are expanding with a more attractive face. That's the very least they could have done in tearing down the Grand Trunk/Transportation Building that was still very much in good shape.

This parking binge BETTER lead to more development. If it's simply subsidizing a few downtown office buildings downtown then it would have not been worth it.

How many parking decks are going up downtown right now? Like 3?

[Allan]

Yeah, that has got to be one of the ugliest garages downtown too. It looks absolutely hideous. I wish all garages were all nice, like the Ellington garage in midtown.

By my count there are three parking garages going up: the Dime, 1001, & Opera House. How many parking spaces do we need?! Are people really so lazy that they won't walk more than a block from their car to their final destination? I have never had a problem finding a space within a block or two of my final destination downtown. Walking a block or two is no farther than the walk from the multi-acre parking lot to the entrance of a big box store. I just don't get it. I guess that's just what comes with our auto-centric region.

[dnast]

Wow, they didn't even bother trying to make it look half-decent.

[RustTown]

Allan, isn't the addition Blue Cross/Blue Shield ramp under construction, as well? I think we were talking about that one the other day.

[Allan]

I'm not sure...I have not been in that area of downtown since around the time of the Auto Show. I'll have to check that out tomorrow.

[SNWEB]

Not to mention the Grand Trunk was a Kahn!

EDIT: You'd think they could just build ontop of it... (their old parking garage)

Edited April 2, 2005 by SNWEB.ORG

[rbdetsport]

They didn't even bother to put a couple of storefronts in it.

[adm70]

That picture is SO depressing!! What the hell is the city thinking? UGH!

[wolverine]

No kidding. For once, I wish Detroit would think about building more ramps underground, or at least build on top of their existing ramps. Nearly all of the structures downtown are capable of carrying up to 5 more levels.

[kgourlay]

I don't know what you all are complaining about. Sure, it's not the prettiest thing, but it's a lot nicer than these fenced gravel lots that seem to be so popular. And much higher capacity. Maybe it'll put some of Ilitch's lots out of business. It's progress, folks. Even if it's not the ideal, it's a step in the right direction.

[Aaron]

I don't know what you all are complaining about.  Sure, it's not the prettiest thing, but it's a lot nicer than these fenced gravel lots that seem to be so popular.  And much higher capacity.  Maybe it'll put some of Ilitch's lots out of business.  It's progress, folks.  Even if it's not the ideal, it's a step in the right direction.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I guess the complaints simply boil down to doing things right the first time. How much effort would it really take to make the garage blend in, and not look like a cookie-cutter, pseudo-brutalist piece of crap?

And you're right that it's better than an open lot, but consider what was demolished for it in the first place.

[wolverine]

Although it is better than a gravel lot, Detroit still doesn't need to set its standards low. There is absolutely no reason why there couldn't have been retail put in the ground level of this ramp.

[rbdetsport]

New York City has a lot of parking garages, but that is because there is so many people. I do agree that they should have put at least one storefront. The color is really bad on it and it looks cheap.

[Allan]

Sunday, April 3, 2005

The Belle Isle Aquarium closed today, although its future remains uncertain.

[Allan]

Monday, April 4, 2005

The main branch of the Detroit Public Library in the city's cultural center. Designed by New York architect Cass Gilbert, construction began in 1915. Because of World War I, the formal dedication of the building did not occur until June 3, 1921.

[asics]

Monday, April 4, 2005

The main branch of the Detroit Public Library in the city's cultural center.  Designed by New York architect Cass Gilbert, construction began in 1915.  Because of World War I, the formal dedication of the building did not occur until June 3, 1921.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

the photo is amazing. just another hidden treasure in Detroit. Allan your photos of the boston-edison historic district as well as other neighborhoods are interesting. I think the photos help show people who are in the suburbs that there is a whole other world past there white picket fences.

[Allan]

Thanks, asics! There are a lot of hidden treasures in the city, so I try to show at least some of them on the forum.

[Allan]

Tuesday, April 5, 2005

Stained glass at the First Congregational Church of Detroit on Woodward Avenue

[rbdetsport]

Breathtaking!

[Aaron]

We all say "they don't build 'em like they used to" regarding commercial and residential architecture, but I guess it also applies to churches! That second picture is especially beautiful.

[wolverine]

Nice photos Allan. I've been thinking of finding a day this summer to specifically tour churches across Detroit.

[Allan]

Thanks, guys. The main sanctuary is especially beautiful. The photos I got just don't do the church justice.

[SNWEB]

Thanks, guys.  The main sanctuary is especially beautiful.  The photos I got just don't do  the church justice.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I must say I have to agree. The church is so grand

Here's the best panorama I've gotten of this grand church

[Allan]

Wednesday, April 6, 2005

St. John's Episcopal Church at Woodward and Vernor (Fisher Freeway) was designed by Albert Jordan & James Anderson in 1861. The church's interior was drastically altered in 1936 when it was moved to widen Woodward Avenue.