Olympia Clueless About What to Do With Fine Arts Facade

It seems that everyone greatest fears are true. The facade to the Fine Arts building is being shored up with no definitive plans to build anything behind it. It is being "preserved for future reuse" kinda like the site of the former Madison-Lenox is being preserved with a parking lot.

Atanas Ilitch is "confident that the facade of the historic Fine Arts Building can be preserved and ultimately integrated into a new development that will occupy the site at some point in the future." Are you freaking kidding me? Olympia knocked a building down with no plans in place. How long do they plan to leave the facade twisting in the wind? I predict that the building and safety department will eventually decide that it is unsafe and demand that it be pulled down.

Another Loft Conversion Rethink

Back in the spring of 2007 developers announced plans to convert the Detroit Elevator Building in Rivertown into 23 condo units. The project was to be completed in the summer of 2008. Needless to say, with the housing market collapse, that never happened.

This summer plans for the building were revised and construction has begun on what will now be a small business incubator. The building will contain 24 units plus common areas including a kitchen and showering facilities.

Facade construction and interior demolition on the Elevator Building will be completed this fall and units should be ready by spring 2010.

Can Lightning Strike Twice?

The Ferchill Group is continuing its effort to redevelop a downtown strip centered along Washington Boulevard. The company responsible for saving the Book Cadillac will be lending its money and know-how to another Book building, this time the Book Tower. The building has been shuttered since the beginning of 2009 when the building 's owners filed for Chapter 11.

The Ferchill Group determined that is was not possible financially to save the Lafayette Building due to a funding gap of around $11 million. Profits from the building wouldn't have covered the cost of the restoration. The Book Tower doesn't appear to have that problem and Ferchill will embark on an $87 million renovation of the 38 story building.

Cass Tech to be Demolished

DPS Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb mentioned today on "Inside Detroit" that the district will be using stimulus money to demolish the Old Cass Tech building. Alumni previously stepped in to forestall demolition plans when the new high school was completed. However, no redevelopment plans have ever been put forth and this time around the school's fate seems sealed.

Redbull Air Race Windsor 2009 (Later Than Never)

Full Screen

Gold Cup 100 Alpha

The 100th running of the Gold Cup was postponed last year due to high winds. After a year's wait, the thunder returned to the Detroit River this past weekend. VIEW LARGE

The Toledo Strip

Earlier in the week I spent some time in the territory of Michigan's former posession near the mouth of the Maumee River. Please enjoy some action shots of the Toledo Mud Hens vs the Louisville Bats at 5/3 Field.

Rosa Parks Transit Center Almost Ready

The sails have been hoisted and the maiden voyage is set for July 14th with a grand opening celebration.

Hygienic Dress League

Coming soon to the Charlevoix Building?

Tricentennial Park Extension

Things are looking good at the wetlands extension between Rivard Plaza and the Harbor. This just might end up being my favorite section of the RiverWalk.

Lafayette Building Next to Fall

The 1923 C. Howard Crane designed Lafayette Building could meet the wrecking ball within the next two weeks thanks to a unanimous vote by the Detroit Downtown Development Authority. Detroit-based Adamo Demolition Company will eliminate the historic building for a fee of $1,445,888. The building will be replaced by a "pocket park" of grass and shrubbery.