Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning January 2006 » Riverfront news ... GM picks a developer « Previous Next »
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Tetsua
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Username: Tetsua

Post Number: 463
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 69.246.5.196
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 12:55 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/c gi-bin/news.pl?newsId=7755
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Motorcity
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Username: Motorcity

Post Number: 19
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 167.236.0.62
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 1:00 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Morningside has been involved in much of the condo development in Royal Oak. http://www.morningsideusa.com/ luxury_condominiums_michigan.h tml
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Dialh4hipster
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Username: Dialh4hipster

Post Number: 1332
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.250.205.35
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 1:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

They are doing a great job with Liberty Lofts in Ann Arbor (a beautiful adaptive re-use of the old Eaton factory). A block off Main Street.

http://www.libertyloftsannarbo r.com/

I lived in Ann Arbor nine years waiting for that building to be turned into lofts! Mostly because I needed to live one block away from work instead of four, I'm just that lazy.
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Skulker
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Username: Skulker

Post Number: 3416
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.103.104.93
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 1:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Morningside is a very strong and capable local developer. They will do a fantastic job as they know the local markets and are eager to do lots more work in Detroit. Can't say enough good things about them.

What really has me excited however is that Mesirow Stein is hitting the Detroit market. They have tons of cash and tons of horsepower. If they do well on this project, hopefully that will spark more Chicago cash to come this way. We already have a little trickle of it at the Park Shelton, but there is plenty of room for more.

Part of what holds up development in Detroit is there aren't a whole lot of development firms in the area with the adequate resources to front a nice size piece of cash for predevelopment work (Think $5 - $10 MM or more) and make a boat load on the back end. The few SE MI based developers that have the resources to do that are NOT active in Detroit.

If this does well for Mesirow, hopefully some of the other cash rich developers in Chicago that are having a hard time placing capital in workable projects their home town will expand their horizons and we can get some more traction on projects.
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Genesyxx
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Username: Genesyxx

Post Number: 410
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 209.69.165.10
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 1:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Great choice. Now all we need is a construction start date, then I can get excited.

BTW, any luck developing WEST of Riverfront Apartments?
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Detroitduo
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Username: Detroitduo

Post Number: 429
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 84.156.59.192
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 1:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Great pictures! We are waiting for the first building announcement so we can move to the riverfront. A complete urban community on the river would be amazing... and we wanna be one of the first over there.
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Tkelly1986
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Username: Tkelly1986

Post Number: 49
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 68.251.55.238
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Who else loves those renderings........I really hope it ends up like that, it reminds me of coconut grove in miami, a really nice part of town. I am really excited.
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Ilovedetroit
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Username: Ilovedetroit

Post Number: 1985
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 66.192.63.5
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Duo - I am with you. I would love to sell my house and move to the Riverfront! This is exciting. Now we just need another Rhino Club there for us kind of folk :-)

Skulker - You are right on developers here...my best friend works for one of the big ones as a VP. They are doing all this work in Chicago and elsewhere but nothing here. The owner just has issues with Detroit (feels his family was chased out in the 60s)...I wish we could overcome that. My buddy is trying to convince them differently but the owner is old school and won't change his mind.
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Gambling_man
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Username: Gambling_man

Post Number: 630
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 199.178.193.5
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Those renderings are ancient......I think GM put them out about 3 years ago......still using them....
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Jt1
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Username: Jt1

Post Number: 6479
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.20
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:29 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

Matt Cullen, general manager of GM’s Economic Development and Enterprise Services, said DREP expects to obtain necessary zoning designations within six to eight months.




Would it be safe to assume that they will be doing the architectural work, planning and everything in that 6-8 months so they can be ready to put shovels in the ground once all the paperwork is in order?
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Merchantgander
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Username: Merchantgander

Post Number: 1476
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 150.198.164.127
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In my humble opinion I’m not sure I like the idea of developing this area. Being the preservationist that I am there will be a lot of historic surface lots that will be destroyed by this development. When will we learn that we cannot tear up these historic lots just because of the promise that they will be develop. Also I have it on good authority that public funds will be used to destroy these parking lots.

Based on my outrage I am planning a Hug-a-surface-lot really for April 1st. Please join me and my organization FOHSL (Friends of Historic Surface Lots) at this rally there is power in numbers and preservationist must stick together if we want to make a difference.

Merchantgander
FOHSL President

P.S. There are a few positions open on the board so if you would like to join please e-mail me at makingadifference at FOHSL dot com
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Jt1
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Username: Jt1

Post Number: 6480
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.20
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:47 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I think that we should change it from 'Hug-a-surface-lot' to 'hump a surface lot'

That should get more exposure. This damn city and their development. Where am I supposed to park next time I want to shop at the Ren Cen. That's it, I'm moving and never coming back since the city obviously doesn't care about my parking needs.
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Merchantgander
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Username: Merchantgander

Post Number: 1479
Registered: 01-2005
Posted From: 150.198.164.127
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

JT1 you have VP material written all over you.
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Jt1
Member
Username: Jt1

Post Number: 6482
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.20
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I prefer to think that I am a real go getter with upper management written all over me.

That's what I was told by the Bobs.
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Ndavies
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Username: Ndavies

Post Number: 1569
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 129.9.163.233
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Is the FOHSL board position of secretary in charge of line painting been taken. I love watching paint dry.
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Llyn
Member
Username: Llyn

Post Number: 1366
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 68.61.197.206
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 2:55 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Personally I much prefer a modernist interpretation for surface parking.

I find the functional and spare but recently contructed M-L parking lot built with modern construction materials to be very tasteful. No ornate fencing, landscaping, and brickwork for me.

You're standing in the way of progress MG. Tear those lots up!
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Super_d
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Username: Super_d

Post Number: 579
Registered: 08-2005
Posted From: 69.246.115.84
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 3:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

'Merchantgander'__ so you are the one responsible for the 6 vacant lots on my block? Dog-it U!



super d(motordetroit)
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Susanarosa
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Username: Susanarosa

Post Number: 685
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 208.39.170.90
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 3:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I really think those lofts in Royal Oak look silly. I hope these look better.
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Citylover
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Username: Citylover

Post Number: 1547
Registered: 07-2004
Posted From: 4.229.123.149
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 3:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It looks great(detroit renderings)I hope it comes to fruition quickly.

Dialh4h you can afford Liberty lofts? DAMN! Anyway it does look pretty cool.Btw originally it was King-Seeley they made parts for Chrysler and then it became a Chrysler plant.

What about Ashley mews did you like that?

Back to the topic as I said it will be very nice when this is up and running.
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Detroitman
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Username: Detroitman

Post Number: 891
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 216.78.36.74
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 5:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This is great news, Morningside has done some excellent projects in Royal Oak, Ann Arbor and Chicago.
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Broken_main
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Username: Broken_main

Post Number: 667
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 69.136.139.223
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 5:54 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The McCormick in Chicago is a huge project and looks really nice. I love the work they have done in RO. It doesn't look like high rises either. That creates a more livable environment being that close to the river. It allows for the taler buildings to be placed behind them which is a plus!!
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Lmichigan
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Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 3044
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.172.95.197
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 6:24 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Just so no one gets the wrong idea, as someone else said, those renderings are conceptualized drawings that don't really mean much in the grand scheme of things, and on top of that they are old, but it gives you a general feel of what they are going for.
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Sharmaal
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Username: Sharmaal

Post Number: 590
Registered: 09-2004
Posted From: 136.2.1.103
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 6:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I hope they put in more boat slips in some how! Don't know the logistics of how it would work but this is a city on the river! I think we should accomodate the boating lifestyle! Any Captains on this forum that want to chime in?
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Tetsua
Member
Username: Tetsua

Post Number: 464
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 69.246.5.196
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 7:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Is the model on the bottom of this link any indication to how GM wants to have the land east of the RenCen developed? It features several mid, and low rises, and I'd be happy if it turned out this well.

http://www.urbanplanet.org/for ums/index.php?showtopic=13520& st=45
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Rrl
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Username: Rrl

Post Number: 438
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 71.213.227.199
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 7:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Too many trees...
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Lmichigan
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Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 3048
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.172.95.197
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 9:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

lol, downtown doesn't have ENOUGH trees, anymore. I believe that that is a college concept by that forumer.
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Tetsua
Member
Username: Tetsua

Post Number: 465
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 69.246.5.196
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 10:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

lol, downtown doesn't have ENOUGH trees, anymore. I believe that that is a college concept by that forumer.




Actually, that model is in the RenCen on the first floor.
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Lmichigan
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Username: Lmichigan

Post Number: 3049
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.172.95.197
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 10:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Duh! lol I've actually viewed it briefly. I wonder if that's the master plan by the city or GM's own vision? I don't seem to know who put it together.
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Dan
Member
Username: Dan

Post Number: 1169
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.47.194.247
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 10:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am so ashamed of the preservation community these days.

These are empty lots, I am sick of looking at them just sitting there collecting garbage.

If you assholes care so much why don't you pony up and buy one yourself?
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Ndavies
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Username: Ndavies

Post Number: 1571
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 70.236.175.43
Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 11:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The drawings and the model appear to be related. If you look at the Model, you can see the pie shaped building on the river is the building in the first picture.
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1953
Member
Username: 1953

Post Number: 668
Registered: 12-2004
Posted From: 65.54.155.60
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 12:52 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Why not more skyscrapers? We need to attract the uber rich and improve our skyline.

Also, where is the palm tree shaped island, like the one they are building in Dubai, our sister city?
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Eric
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Username: Eric

Post Number: 296
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 35.11.158.84
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 1:55 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

That is a lot of land to develop you can create neighborhood of mid-rise buildings or a few skyscrapers with rest of land the vacant. The latter wouldn't really do much for the area.

As long we're talking about the riverfront when will the city announce the developers for the land it owns?
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Tetsua
Member
Username: Tetsua

Post Number: 467
Registered: 01-2004
Posted From: 69.246.5.196
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 2:04 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I heard the plans were supposed to be announce by the end of this month or so. An exciting time for the riverfront indeed.
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Dialh4hipster
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Username: Dialh4hipster

Post Number: 1337
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.61.187.234
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 2:54 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Frankly, just an exciting time for downtown in general. I'm excited about what 2006 will bring.
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Broken_main
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Username: Broken_main

Post Number: 683
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 69.222.11.226
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 8:37 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yeah, A downtown full of construction would make anyone excited. I plan on taking lots of walks in my new neighborhood this summer, as well. I just hope the development of the river west of Cobo gets some much needed attention. I hope to see the parks and trails connected from bridge to bridge in the near future.

BTW...has anyone heard of any plans, as of late on the western end of the river???
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Nellonfury
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Username: Nellonfury

Post Number: 67
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 68.43.156.135
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 9:03 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Same here Tetsua.The news was talking about this and they say the project will be done in late 2007 if it's a go (100% this project will happen)I can't wait!!!
I haven't heard nothing yet about the western end part of thr river Broken_Main.
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Kathleen
Member
Username: Kathleen

Post Number: 1121
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.122.57
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 9:06 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

And a store to promote it!

"The River Store, to be in the Wintergarden of General Motors Corp.'s Renaissance Center headquarters facing the river, will probably open sometime next week. It will sell river-related commemorative merchandise ranging from peppermint-flavored lip balm ($4) to artsy matted photos of the Ambassador Bridge ($40 and $60).

Not coincidentally, the Wintergarden is also the location of the media center for journalists converging on Detroit during the next two weeks to cover the Super Bowl.

The store's opening is timed to tease out-of-town journalists with a vision of what the city's waterfront may look like two or three years from now. By that time a new 31-acre state park will be well under way and a three-mile stretch of the RiverWalk, where people can walk, jog or bike alongside the river's edge from Cobo Center to Belle Isle, should be complete. Right now, GM's $25-million plaza and promenade are about all there is to see for those daring enough to brave the weather outside the RenCen for a look around."

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20060119/BUS INESS06/601190585
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Blondy
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Username: Blondy

Post Number: 930
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.212.173.138
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 9:19 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

river-related commemorative merchandise ranging from peppermint-flavored lip balm




Huh??? River related?? Is this lip balm made from the waters of the Detorit River?
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Hamtramck_steve
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Username: Hamtramck_steve

Post Number: 2645
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 136.181.195.17
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 10:47 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"You're it, stinky lips."

-Earl J. Hickey.

(Message edited by Hamtramck Steve on January 20, 2006)
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Mind_field
Member
Username: Mind_field

Post Number: 465
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 209.240.205.61
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 11:57 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

In one of the ubiquitous "yay downtown" articles in today's issue of the Detroit News, it was stated that Campus Martius Plaza is being renovated. Anyone know what they are talking about? Cmart park is only a little over a year old, what needs to be renovated?
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Detroitduo
Member
Username: Detroitduo

Post Number: 438
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 194.138.39.52
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 12:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

they need to take that damned TREE down!
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Matt_the_deuce
Member
Username: Matt_the_deuce

Post Number: 442
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 69.14.248.252
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 5:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

They took it down. Drove by last night and I didn't see it. That doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't there, but that's a whole other discusion...
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E_hemingway
Member
Username: E_hemingway

Post Number: 457
Registered: 11-2004
Posted From: 68.42.176.123
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 5:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The tree is gone. Walked past the empty space this afternoon.
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Matt
Member
Username: Matt

Post Number: 971
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 24.221.73.42
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 5:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Detroitduo, don't be such a scrooge. The tree may have been out of season, but it was still pretty to look at. I think we should keep it up year round. :P
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Crew
Member
Username: Crew

Post Number: 801
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 146.9.52.18
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 6:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

They could have changed the lights to all red and white, hang a few hearts on it and called it a Valentine Tree :-) Next month, exchange the red for green, the hearts for shamrocks and kept it going all year.
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Matt
Member
Username: Matt

Post Number: 972
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 24.221.73.42
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 6:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes! I love it, Crew!
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Ray
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Username: Ray

Post Number: 621
Registered: 06-2004
Posted From: 69.209.156.23
Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 7:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Great!

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