OT: U-M Innovation Center in Detroit by Stephen Ross / Dan Gilbert not happening?
Anyone have any insights into this?
Original announcement about two years ago. $300 million building on land Gilbert owns in downtown Detroit, adjacent I-375, Ford Field and Greektown Casino. Ross was I believe committing $100 million. They had a press conference with the mayor, governor, Ross, Schlissel, et al. in attendance. Was supposed to break ground early this year, but the project never seemed to make any University Regents agendas. Just this week it broke Ross and Gilbert have parted ways on the project.
Gilbert, Ross ditch plan for U-M innovation center on failed jail site in Detroit
However, yesterday the Ilitch family – billionaire owners of Little Caesars, Wings and Tigers – have said they'd be interested in partnering with Ross on the project on vacant land they own near the new hockey arena. Denise Ilitch is a University Regent.
The people who decided to put a jail on that site in the first place should never be allowed to make a decision of any significance ever again.
"Hey, Detroit is really making a comeback and we've got a piece of primo land right near a key area of the city. What should we put on it?"
Anyone with a brain: "A stadium or multi-purpose entertainment venue or a cool park or a..."
Wayne County: "Nah. What about a jail? Now that's a great idea. We'll build the coolest most expensivist jail you've ever seen."
Wasn’t that Robert Ficano’s brilliant idea about a decade ago? Or am I confusing jail schemes?
Let’s hope they choose a new architect for the new location.
Seems like an interesting-looking building that'd get lots of natural light to me. Reminds me of the Singapore conservatory with those big ribs over the top of it but the curves on this building give me a sort of retro-futurism vibe.
Reminds me of the Singapore conservatory with those big ribs over the top of it
You mean the Durian? It's a pretty structure
Actually meant these buildings.
But...but... won't the building just fall over?
Soccer Arena?
Chris ilitch is interested in partnering with Ross to make it a parking lot and add it to District Detroit
Somewhere in an article I read said they hope to build it at another location in Detroit but none was mentioned.
The problem with the jail wasn't necessarily location, it was after all located directly across from a courthouse and down the road from federal courthouse but the problem was the cost overruns which being nowhere near completion were hitting 130%, it was one of the most financially mismanaged construction projects I've ever seen.
There are certainly better uses for that piece of land. Incidently Wayne's County's new combined jail and justice center is being built at I-75/Warren in Midtown, it too is well over budget, mostly due to the pandemic.
Somewhere in an article I read said they hope to build it at another location in Detroit but none was mentioned.
I believe I read on vacant land behind Fox Theatre and the new Little Caesars headquarters - with the hockey arena right there on the other side of I-75 and the ball park right on the other side of Woodward. I'm guessing some portion of the land currently containing parkings lots A, A, T, J, C, D, E.
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There's a new brick-lined Columbia Street promenade there (see COLUMBIA above), with Ann Arbor staples M Den and Frita Batidos. It's a pretty neat area and a natural fit for a graduate school building.
If you build it, they will crime.
If you build it, they will crime.