Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
University Prep
The Franklin Furniture building continues its transformation into the University Prep Science and Math High School.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Raymond & Rosa Parks Detroit Integrated Transportation Campus
Construction is ramping up on the Michigan Department of Transportation's Integrated Transportation facility on Fort Street between 5th and 6th Streets. The building will house the Detroit Transportation Service Center and the Michigan Intelligent Transportation Systems Center. There will also be space for Michigan State Police and SMART bus layovers.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Deadline NOW: Detroit River Crossing
Host Jack Lessenberry takes a look at the continuing controversy over who should build a new bridge over the Detroit River. Journalist and blogger Joel Thurtell, who has been covering this story for years, and Gregg Ward, vice-president of the Detroit-Windsor Truck Ferry, discuss the aged Ambassador Bridge and plans for a replacement or second span.
WGTE Public Media
WGTE Public Media
Monday, December 21, 2009
You Learn Something New Every Day.
I've been by this house on Adelaide in Brush Park numerous times over the years, and have even taken a few pictures of it from time to time. However, it wasn't until today that I learned a bit about the home's history. According to the book Home In Detroit the famous comedian/actor Danny Thomas and his wife Rose Marie Mantell Thomas lived here beginning in 1936. The photos below show the home in 2004 and again in 2009.
*Special Note* a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Home in Detroit are being donated to Motor City Blight Busters.
*Special Note* a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Home in Detroit are being donated to Motor City Blight Busters.Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
MLS to Detroit?
Hot on the heels of an announcement that Detroit would be receiving a USL-1 expansion team, more soccer news broke today related to the auctioning off of the Pontiac Silverdome.
A Toronto real estate company has submitted a winning bid of $583,000 for the property. The company plans to use the facility for a Major League Soccer team and a women's professional soccer team.
This could be a case of Pontiac’s emergency financial manage getting it wrong in his interview with the Free Press. MLS did not included Detroit in its next round of expansion, so he may be confused about to the team's position in the US soccer pyramid. He may have assumed professional soccer = MLS.
It is not known if the real estate company is working in concert with Michigan Bucks (PDL) owner Dan Duggan, the presumed owner of the new USL-1 franchise. I doubt that Detroit would get a USL-1 Team and a MLS franchise.
In my opinion, If Duggan is involved, he will be the owner of a USL-1 Team. The Toronto company will probably run the Silverdome and lease it to Duggan or be a part of the team's ownership group. When Duggan's MLS Detroit campaign failed, he publicly stated that his new plan would be to pursue a USL-1 team with the hope that that team would be eventually promoted to MLS like the Seattle Sounders were.
Of course there could be an entirely different entity involved. Details are thin at this point and only time will tell.
A Toronto real estate company has submitted a winning bid of $583,000 for the property. The company plans to use the facility for a Major League Soccer team and a women's professional soccer team.
This could be a case of Pontiac’s emergency financial manage getting it wrong in his interview with the Free Press. MLS did not included Detroit in its next round of expansion, so he may be confused about to the team's position in the US soccer pyramid. He may have assumed professional soccer = MLS.
**A senior vice president of marketing and communications for MLS confirmed that there hasn't been any recent discussion about placing a team in the Detroit area. The Detroit News quotes Dan Courtemanche: "We've had very preliminary talks in years past, but nothing in the last six to 12 months of substance."**
It is not known if the real estate company is working in concert with Michigan Bucks (PDL) owner Dan Duggan, the presumed owner of the new USL-1 franchise. I doubt that Detroit would get a USL-1 Team and a MLS franchise.
In my opinion, If Duggan is involved, he will be the owner of a USL-1 Team. The Toronto company will probably run the Silverdome and lease it to Duggan or be a part of the team's ownership group. When Duggan's MLS Detroit campaign failed, he publicly stated that his new plan would be to pursue a USL-1 team with the hope that that team would be eventually promoted to MLS like the Seattle Sounders were.
Of course there could be an entirely different entity involved. Details are thin at this point and only time will tell.
**The Free Press has confirmed that Dan Duggan is not involved with the investment group. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out and how this will affect the USL's plans to bring a team to the Detroit area.**
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Spaulding Court
The Corktown Residents’ Council is working with residents to retake the Spaulding Court apartment complex on Rosa Parks. The century old property has long been abandoned by its owner and is unoccupied, except for two units. The group has launched a Nuisance Abatement suit against the owners and a default judgement is likely.
In October community members cleaned up the site, sealed the unoccupied units, and illuminated the grounds.
It is likely that the complex will be seized and the title will be transferred to Wayne County. It is hoped that the land bank will sell the property to the Greater Corktown Development Corporation for redevelopment.
In October community members cleaned up the site, sealed the unoccupied units, and illuminated the grounds.
It is likely that the complex will be seized and the title will be transferred to Wayne County. It is hoped that the land bank will sell the property to the Greater Corktown Development Corporation for redevelopment.
Check out Spauding Court in 2003 from detroitpix.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Detrot to Get USL-1 Soccer Team
Buzz is starting to build about Detroit getting a United Soccer League First Division expansion team. USL-1 is one level below MLS.
I haven't seen any coverage from the Mainstream media, but there was a reference to the team in a USL press release. At this point, it is not apparent whether the franchise will be built upon a promoted Michigan Bucks (PDL) team or a new organization.
It is also unclear where the new team will be based. From what I've read, USL requires a 5,000 seat stadium. If Bucks owner Dan Duggan is involved, a stadium could be built behind the team's "Ultimate Soccer Arenas" home in Pontiac. The team could find a temporary home to play in at a high school stadium in the area. Recently, the Bucks played their home games at Stoney Creek High School. Prior to that, they called Berkley's Hurley Field home. That field only holds 3,500 spectators, but additional bleachers were brought in when the Bucks hosted the NY/NJ Metro Stars in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup in 2003.
Stay tuned for more details as they become available.
I haven't seen any coverage from the Mainstream media, but there was a reference to the team in a USL press release. At this point, it is not apparent whether the franchise will be built upon a promoted Michigan Bucks (PDL) team or a new organization.
It is also unclear where the new team will be based. From what I've read, USL requires a 5,000 seat stadium. If Bucks owner Dan Duggan is involved, a stadium could be built behind the team's "Ultimate Soccer Arenas" home in Pontiac. The team could find a temporary home to play in at a high school stadium in the area. Recently, the Bucks played their home games at Stoney Creek High School. Prior to that, they called Berkley's Hurley Field home. That field only holds 3,500 spectators, but additional bleachers were brought in when the Bucks hosted the NY/NJ Metro Stars in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup in 2003.
Stay tuned for more details as they become available.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Stripped Down
Work continues on the conversion of the Franklin Furniture building into a high school affiliated with the University Prep Science and Math Middle School. It doesn't look like there will be anything "Albert Kahn" remaining, except for the steel reinforced concrete skeleton.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Unopened
Despite holding a ribbon cutting ceremony almost three weeks ago. William G. Milliken State Park (formerly Tricentennial State Park) remains closed to the public.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Book Tower to Get New, Green Life?
Key Investment Group of Canton says it has signed a contract with the owners of the empty Book Tower and Book Building to renovate the structures which have been vacant since January. They plan to turn it into 260 green-friendly residences along with retail space.
The development will include a new copper roof, a green roof plaza, and a restoration of an interior atrium. The facade will be completely cleaned as well. Work is slated to begin in June and the group intends to eventually purchase the building.
The development will include a new copper roof, a green roof plaza, and a restoration of an interior atrium. The facade will be completely cleaned as well. Work is slated to begin in June and the group intends to eventually purchase the building.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 05, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
New Hellas, No More!
New Hellas Cafe was demolished a few weeks ago. The 107 year old cafe closed in the spring of 2008. It was the oldest Greek restaurant in Detroit. Former business partners Jim Papas and Ted Gatzaros have waged a legal battle over the property after Gatzaros wanted to use the property to house an Italian restaurant. No explanation for the demolition has been reported. Rumors, however, suggest that a new three story building will rise to take its place
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Renaissance Center B.A.S.E Jump
I was recently refered to this clip from danpushies shot during Ren-Cen's Pre-GM days. Notice no river walk, Beaubien garage, etc..
Monday, August 17, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, August 10, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
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.
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.
