OT: Mike Ilitch seeks downtown Detroit arena district
Has the potential to be a game changer for the city. Just saw on the news they are working with a UM professor as well.
December 4th, 2012 at 9:39 PM ^
I know sports arenas aren't miracle cures for cities, but if this arena is built I think you will see additional restaurant/bar developments. Hell, if they built a nice high rise for condos/apartments that part of the city could really become nice.
December 4th, 2012 at 10:31 PM ^
Bring the nice resturants and other things to the area...have the Tigers, Lions, Pistons and Wings all near one and other and rebuild from there.
December 4th, 2012 at 11:18 PM ^
this is planned for all the vacant lots and crumbling buildings between Park, I-75, Grand River and Adams.
Would that be accurate?
December 5th, 2012 at 1:02 AM ^
Another would be all the vacant land around Temple street north of I-75 west of Woodward. Sort of a bridge from downtown to midtown.
While an arena would be great, especially if it brings the Pistons back downtown, I'm more interested to hear about the proposed residential and commerical development attached to this. It takes actual people and businesses to build a city.
December 5th, 2012 at 3:43 AM ^
moving downtown, I'm pretty sure the sale of the Pistons included purchasing The Palace itself.
December 5th, 2012 at 4:39 AM ^
If it's near Woodward, it should help drive demand for transit in that area. Or is that just wishful thinking from this light rail supporter?
December 5th, 2012 at 5:34 AM ^
Illitch is an M-1 investor and the mysterious Temple stop on the proposed line is right in the area this will probably be built. So I'd say that this is a pretty huge component of the M-1 plan and the existence of residential, commercial and stadium developments along the line will make it more viable, yes.
December 5th, 2012 at 7:54 AM ^
JLA is a dump so I'm glad. Seats haven't ever been replaced, only has one concourse, dreary 1980s look inside, crappy video screens.
December 5th, 2012 at 1:36 PM ^
Honestly, construction jobs and projects like this, while nice, aren't the main answer. We need to attract companies and businesses, make the city safer, and get some semblance of reliable public transportation. With Wayne State, UM, and MSU not to mention UWindsor, the human capital exists in the area. Right now, 90% of the city is unlivable. Seriously, as an educated 20 something who wants to live in the city, there's maybe a few key areas you can stay in and feel somewhat safe.