Four Years Gone

Way back in 2007 Paul Andoni, co-owner of Shield's Franchise Restaurants LLC, announced that Shield's Pizza was returning to Detroit. The company began to build out space on the ground floor of the Kales building for a summer 2007 opening. That never happened. Construction stalled due to an issue with the exhaust ventilation that necessitated the installation of a 19-story shaft to the roof.

As late as June, 2008 Andoni still planned to open the bar and resturant at the Grand Circus Park location. At some point afterwards a "Construction has been halted" sign was posted and space was abandoned. This recent sign confirms the obvious. Shield's has abandoned the city once more.

Growing Lafayette Greens

Work has commenced on Lafayette Greens.  The community garden, located at the site of the the demolished Lafayette building, is one of two gardens announced by Compuware back in March.

True Love, No Lie!

Miracles Really Can Happen

Work is really picking up on the Broderick Tower.

Halfway Gone

Old Cass Tech is now halfway to oblivion.

2011 Detroit Gold Cup

It's Curtains for Ford Auditorium

*More Demolition Coverage*

The Red Grape Lounge Replaces the 5 & 10 Bar

Out with the 5 & 10 Bar, which was inside the Kresge Building, in with the Red Grape Lounge.

Defacing the Schwankovsky Temple of Music

According to Detroit Moxie a "Pop-Up" performance space has opened up inside the Schwankovsky Temple of Music called vitaminwater uncapped LIVE: Detroit. One of the "Features" of this performance space is a showcase for art. This showcase consists of graffiti painted on the interior of the 120 year old building.

According to Moxie "The juxtaposition between the old architecture and the new graffiti and street art is compelling." Really?  Defacing the interior of a beautiful, viable building is compelling?  It's not even remotely acceptable!  Will vitaminwater, which is underwriting this atrocity, pay to have the interior restored when their event disappears June 18?  I don't think it is very likely.

The Beginning of the End for Ford Auditorium

*More Demolition Coverage*

Nothing Special at Capitol Park

The reconstruction of Capitol Park is complete and I will have to agree with the majority opinion, it is nothing special.  I was underwhelmed by the design when I walked through it last week.  The one thing that it did have going for it was the lack a homeless people milling about.  If the new park is to become a catalyst for the regeneration of that section of downtown, as intended, that is an important first step.