  Genesyxx Member Username: Genesyxx Post Number: 811 Registered: 02-2004 |
....would it take to cover the old MGM Grand building? <snickers> No, but seriously, what's gonna happen with the old structure? I know they said they used it for storage of the old slot machines, but C'MON. I say sell it to a mall development agency or something. | ||
Scottr Member Username: Scottr Post Number: 827 Registered: 07-2006 |
a mall is the last thing downtown needs. retail, yes, but not a mall. Even in the suburbs, 'malls' in the traditional sense are rarely built any more and are being replaced by imitation downtowns. So why would Detroit need a suburban retailing concept that is 20 years past its prime to compete with the rest of downtown? The only thing it will accomplish is to suck people and stores off the streets and set back the downtown revival another couple decades. I've heard numerous people suggest a magic johnson movie theater. that isn't such a bad idea. (Message edited by scottr on November 15, 2007) | ||
The_ed Member Username: The_ed Post Number: 950 Registered: 10-2007 |
Use it for housing. People need a place to live if they are going to stay in the city............... | ||
Billk Member Username: Billk Post Number: 169 Registered: 09-2005 |
I think they said they were putting it up for sale. | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 3729 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Well, if Detroit were actually in East Germany, I could see that. | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3665 Registered: 10-2003 |
Indoor golf. | ||
Dhugger Member Username: Dhugger Post Number: 236 Registered: 03-2005 |
Who wants to live in a place with no windows? I vote for golf. Then again they could make it a prison. | ||
401don Member Username: 401don Post Number: 35 Registered: 11-2007 |
Any way to use it for the auto show until Cobo is expanded? You could build a tented path and/or use shuttles. How far exactly would it be? In Toronto the autoshow outgrew the convention center a few years ago and they use these methods to get you to the dome for the extra space. Heck, it's already carpeted. You could even leave some slot space and split the profits with MGM. | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 3189 Registered: 10-2003 |
It would make a great train station. | ||
Scottr Member Username: Scottr Post Number: 830 Registered: 07-2006 |
401don, although not a long term solution, that's not that bad an idea. i'm not sure about a merely tented path (it is January in Michigan, remember, and it's several blocks away), but something that may be feasible as a stop-gap measure while an expansion is being built. And if you think about it, Ficano proposed that elevated walkway (or whatever the hell it was) across to the RenCen, this doesn't appear to be too much difference in length... a moving sidewalk like Somerset has could ease the pain of walking that far. Not that i necessarily agree completely with such a plan, but it's an interesting thought. | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 6970 Registered: 10-2003 |
Another Gibralter Trade Center? | ||
Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 493 Registered: 05-2006 |
With all that security technology already installed and the huge parking structure, it would be a good fit for many types of retail. Especially destination shopping such as IKEA or one of those mammoth sporting goods stores | ||
Royce Member Username: Royce Post Number: 2419 Registered: 07-2004 |
The south parking garage is a definite selling point(how many parking spaces?). Someone once suggested putting the new Red Wings hockey arena there. If the old casino and valet parking structure were torn down, would an arena be a good fit? Also, plenty of room for a Gibralter Trade Center-type of set-up like Jams suggested. | ||
Warrenite84 Member Username: Warrenite84 Post Number: 170 Registered: 01-2007 |
Ramcharger great idea! How about a Bass Pro Shop or Cabela's to welcome us huntin', fishin', tubacca spittin', pick up truck drivin', countrified good 'ol boys to have a hummdinger of a good 'ole time in Deetroit City! HaHa! ;) | ||
Dhugger Member Username: Dhugger Post Number: 240 Registered: 03-2005 |
401don - I too like the idea of using it for the Auto Show. A few questions regarding the architectural integrity: 1. could the structure support all the weight of the automobiles and the displays? 2. how would the cars get to the upper floors? | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 3733 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: The structure was designed as an office building, which are typically designed for a live load of 80 psf, plus 20 psf for partitions. Design live loads for parking garages are 50 psf, so go figure. For use as a casino, the floor plates would have certainly required a design live load of 100 psf. | ||
Dhugger Member Username: Dhugger Post Number: 241 Registered: 03-2005 |
Thanks Danindc, you must be an architect, city planner or engineer with that scope of knowledge. | ||
Fareastsider Member Username: Fareastsider Post Number: 686 Registered: 08-2006 |
Take it down or are we going to use it as a fire station headquarters this time? | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 991 Registered: 11-2004 |
WJR did an interview with the mayor on the Nov 9th. Talk about the old MGM comes up about 1:50 into the clip. http://youtube.com/watch?v=mDF -a9POWsw | ||
401don Member Username: 401don Post Number: 53 Registered: 11-2007 |
I never thought about it for the Police HQ until Kwame mentions it in the interview. It would seem ideal. It has the electrical and computer wiring, security cameras, even a gun range! The lack of windows might be a benefit as well - keeps prisoners from jumping. If it's too big you can always seal off part or find another gov't use, plus it's close to the new FBI building. Wayne County might even lease some of the parking. If MGM can't find another buyer the city could probably get a great deal. | ||
Renfirst Member Username: Renfirst Post Number: 120 Registered: 12-2006 |
I know it's a little 1987, but a shopping mall isn't that bad of an idea. You've got the parking, the security, and the location... it could be an ideal location for some retail. | ||
Rob_in_warren Member Username: Rob_in_warren Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2007 |
Sounds like the mayor really wants a department store/mall at the temporary mgm site. I don't think using the building for a couple large stores is a bad idea. But I think it should be part of creating a downtown shopping/restaurants/movies district. A large scale shopping development should have a goal of bringing another attraction to downtown. Not just a so-so indoor mall to serve near-downtown residents. (I do think downtown residents could use more shopping choices) | ||
Alexei289 Member Username: Alexei289 Post Number: 1323 Registered: 11-2004 |
As far as malls go.. Outdoor malls work great in other cities, such as denver, which has made 1 mile of a major street non motorized besides busses, and turned it into a great retail center all the way down. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 749 Registered: 09-2007 |
Kwame may be announcing that Magic Johnson decided to renovate it into a theatre in the next few weeks. |
