DETROIT | Development & Construction: Motown Lowdown - Page 23

detroit_alive · #**441** Posted **Jul 19, 2007, 6:33 PM**

I think the significance lies in the fact that it isn't a huge development. Downtown's rebirth cannot rely on mega-developments alone. These small scale renovations will be the key to Detroit's success.

LMich · #**442** Posted **Jul 20, 2007, 1:33 AM**

I agree, I just didn't see how this is spoken of as if its the tipping point.

jasonic · #**443** Posted **Jul 20, 2007, 4:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by detroit_alive

I think the significance lies in the fact that it isn't a huge development. Downtown's rebirth cannot rely on mega-developments alone. These small scale renovations will be the key to Detroit's success.

I completely agree that any small developments, residential or otherwise, are a great thing for the city. My only point, and I probably didn't make it clear the first time, is that Detroit, and Woodward especially, need to finally get businesses in here that support residential.

I think it is great that we have so many loft condos being built. But until there are support businesses, i.e. grocery stores, not many people will want to move here. We can have, and do have for that matter, some great communities starting from new residential developments. But people can't live in an area without stores, doctors, jobs, schools, etc.

i don't think Twelve 25 is a "tipping point". But how many more lofts and apartments can survive without other necessary business.

-J

LMich · #**444** Posted **Jul 20, 2007, 6:37 AM**

That really is the question, but residential has to come before the commerce in these downtown redevelopments, at least, this is what the mainstream business community has dictated.

jasonic · #**445** Posted **Jul 20, 2007, 4:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMich

That really is the question, but residential has to come before the commerce in these downtown redevelopments, at least, this is what the mainstream business community has dictated.

Yeh, and I have to believe they are coming around so to speak. It would be hard to argue against small business in Detroit and the Woodward cooridor once these residences fill up. And add onto that momentum Quicken/Rock/Fathead relocation and I think retailers will realize the purchasing power that exists. I would think that just in Merchants row alone there would be more demand for new retailers and some small independent stores. Just adding foot traffic from a new Quicken HQ should add more demand.

Man i am freakin out about Quicken right now. Once that comes everything changes. I'm in agoning waiting this thing out. But I digress.

DetKing12565 · #**446** Posted **Jul 20, 2007, 9:11 PM**

does anybody know how far Quicken is getting on their HQ going downtown. also quicken says that they're not the only businesses going downtown. do you guys know who else is going downtown?

hudkina · #**447** Posted **Jul 20, 2007, 9:31 PM**

Quicken hasn't even decided whether or not they are moving downtown. They won't make that decision for several weeks. And even if they do decide to move downtown, construction probably won't even start until 2008.

jasonic · #**448** Posted **Jul 21, 2007, 3:21 AM**

Should this concern me that over on Detroityes someone posted that Quicken may build in farmington hills? Now, granted, there are 300+ posts of rampant speculation, idiot concepts, and blue sky ideas. But the poster claims the source to be credible. I seriously am about to just quit reading anything related to quicken until I hear something official. I have been sucked into the hype, and I have to step back.

the pope · #**449** Posted **Jul 21, 2007, 3:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonic

Should this concern me that over on Detroityes someone posted that Quicken may build in farmington hills? Now, granted, there are 300+ posts of rampant speculation, idiot concepts, and blue sky ideas. But the poster claims the source to be credible. I seriously am about to just quit reading anything related to quicken until I hear something official. I have been sucked into the hype, and I have to step back.

we have a saying at DY, "skippers rule"

Michi · #**450** Posted **Jul 21, 2007, 8:25 PM**

Friday, July 20, 2007

Greektown Casino - 27 stories to go.

There's just something not right about this garage.

Hotel Pick-Fort Shelby

3rd Street and MGM Grand Casino. Notice the new utility poles.

The parking garageville and its beautiful country meadow.

Motor City Casino

Willy's Overland Lofts

the pope · #**451** Posted **Jul 21, 2007, 9:32 PM**

i was just thinking today, "man we haven't heard a peep from michi recently"

hudkina · #**452** Posted **Jul 22, 2007, 4:15 AM**

That shot of the "guts" of the parking garage is really interesting. I would almost like to see that spiral remain open, but obviously finished with bricks and other details.

zuelas · #**453** Posted **Jul 22, 2007, 12:39 PM**

Thanks for those pics. Motorcity IMO really looks like a piece of junk. The best thing about the bldg is going to be the skyline view from the top. MGM is looking okay--- they had the front panels all lit up from within the other night and it looked cool. Has there ever been a night rendering released?

RossDetroit · #**454** Posted **Jul 22, 2007, 5:14 PM**

Once again, great photos Michi ! Thanks. I count on you to keep me posted, I am living across the Atlantic! Do you have any news about the Lafayette building? With the soon to be new Book Cadillac and the brand new Griswold nearby, it could be a succes. I would love to hear about the groundbreaking of the WSU school for business, a nice building that would be great for Woodward ave. I hope that the Ilitch family will build a new arena in midtown and that the money will be found to expand Cobo hall. Chicago eat your heart out! Greatings from Leuven, Ross.

detroit_alive · #**455** Posted **Jul 22, 2007, 7:30 PM**

No official word on the Lafayette yet... although I have heard rumblings through the rumor mill.

WSU Business school has not broken ground yet, although the South University Village is progressing with noticeable foundation work.

David Whitney is having work done on the bricks. It has a long road ahead, but according to my sources will be coming back piece by piece.

Workers have been seen in the UA. Plus a mysterious bunch of blue crosses have appeared in some windows on the front facade. What it means I do not know.

Detroit Life is secure and progressing.

The building across Park from the Town Pump is being worked on and looks really good inside.

The Temple of the Oddfellows Building has had some activity inside.

That is all I have seen/heard lately.

DetKing12565 · #**456** Posted **Jul 22, 2007, 9:33 PM**

Detroit needs some more office towers. and i also have got mixed in with the quicken info. I thought they already announced a move downtown.

what can you do.

hudkina · #**457** Posted **Jul 22, 2007, 11:57 PM**

Detroit needs more office towers like it needs more liquor stores. I would love more office towers if more companies decided to make the jump, but I still think we are in the very early stages of downtown regaining its status as the office center of the region.

LMich · #**458** Posted **Jul 23, 2007, 1:39 AM**

Yeah, Detroit needs more office towers when the economy actually demands them. Heck, REDICO was having a hard time filling the 10-story One Kennedy Square without stealing tenants from other office buildings, and it's still not all filled from what I understand. The office market has been soft for years, and will continue to be for some time. And office development in the central city will be small-scale, as it should be, at the moment. Speculative office buildings would be horrible for the downtown area at the moment.

Alive,

Is the redevelopment of the Detroit Life really is full swing?

detroit_alive · #**459** Posted **Jul 23, 2007, 1:55 AM**

I wouldn't say full swing. Though there have been workers in there quite a bit lately.

LMich · #**460** Posted **Jul 23, 2007, 6:32 AM**

Thanks. I asked because what I was hearing was that this project is still in development. Either that, or the project still needs to be fully financed before they really start. I was under the impression that the 'work' being done, now, was much the same as the work seen at the Broderick. (i.e. inspection, preliminary prep work, ect...). Not hard construction, yet.