  Detroitman Member Username: Detroitman Post Number: 1022 Registered: 06-2004 |
Bidders offer up proposals G.A.R. Building may be renovated November 17, 2006 BY JOHN GALLAGHER http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs .dll/article?AID=/20061117/BUS INESS04/611170364/1017/BUSINES S | ||
Mind_field Member Username: Mind_field Post Number: 642 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hey, how did I get involved in this? | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 890 Registered: 01-2004 |
It's a good looking building, and it's about time. | ||
Stecks77 Member Username: Stecks77 Post Number: 186 Registered: 08-2006 |
Good news. I'm betting on Olympia development since they would be a stable owner but I don't know much about the other potential buyers. I'm just happy its being redone. Good news. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 45 Registered: 10-2006 |
I hope that there are really more than just two groups bidding on the property. 2 is after all the very min. for any bidding. | ||
Bobj Member Username: Bobj Post Number: 1446 Registered: 11-2003 |
I really hope something happens this time! | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 912 Registered: 11-2003 |
Did they put out an RFP? If not, that might have something to do with them not having many proposals. Then again, the idea of having the CC approve the sale might have knocked a few people back. | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 891 Registered: 01-2004 |
It said in the article that they had 6 proposals for the GAR. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 913 Registered: 11-2003 |
^ Just now having my coffee... I see it now :-D MAB | ||
Tetsua Member Username: Tetsua Post Number: 892 Registered: 01-2004 |
No prob MAB, I know how it be sometimes. | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 129 Registered: 03-2006 |
I believe the reason for the lack of proposals is that the fact that this decision has already been made. Its going to be owned by Illitch. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 916 Registered: 11-2003 |
So the Illitches would SERIOUSLY move their operations to the GAR? They have such a bad taste in Detroit's mouth... It's hard to think they would actually occupy something they own other than the Fox | ||
Crew Member Username: Crew Post Number: 1071 Registered: 02-2004 |
Not their whole operations, just Olympia Development would move to the GAR building. Little Ceasers, Olympia Entertainment, etc would remain in the Fox. | ||
Sumotect Member Username: Sumotect Post Number: 261 Registered: 08-2004 |
I think there is potential for that building to be integrated into the new hockey arena. | ||
Brandon48202 Member Username: Brandon48202 Post Number: 120 Registered: 12-2004 |
David Carleton did a great job with his building on Library St. I'll be rooting for his group! | ||
Toolbox Member Username: Toolbox Post Number: 1008 Registered: 10-2003 |
I second that. | ||
Dan Member Username: Dan Post Number: 1311 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hmmmm I bet Olympia gets it. | ||
Mtm Member Username: Mtm Post Number: 138 Registered: 06-2006 |
I'd be afraid if Olympia gets it. Look at the great job they did "maintaining" Tiger Stadium, under contract to the city at no small cost. Wouldn't surprise me if they tore it down. In fact, didn't they recently tear down another old building they had in downtown? | ||
Southen Member Username: Southen Post Number: 24 Registered: 08-2006 |
So even though the article states they would move offices into the building, and likely put a restaurant in there you think they will tear it down? Not to mention that the building is on an isolated wedge and you cant fit too many cars there for parking. Olympia's interest in the structure appears to be genuine. | ||
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan Post Number: 4716 Registered: 10-2003 |
They aren't allowed to tear it down, or are strongly discouraged from doing so according to the RFP. This was an RFP for renovation only. | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 631 Registered: 09-2005 |
It would be extremely unpopular to tear down that building -- a slap in the face to war veterans. If Olympia is interested in the building their intention will not be to tear it down. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 3095 Registered: 08-2004 |
No they won't tear it down. They own the Cass/Adams Building (MotorCity Casino training center) kitty-corner from the GAR, as well as acres of parking. So parking is not an issue with them. And yes, it could be a nice entertainment facility near a new hockey arena. I hate to sound picky, but I want the GAR to be a building that allows public access, such as a restaurant. We're all dying to see it! | ||
Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 141 Registered: 05-2006 |
Six proposals for city's grand GAR Building range from nightclub to bed and breakfast
Yuck! | ||
Genesyxx Member Username: Genesyxx Post Number: 623 Registered: 02-2004 |
I agree with Mtm. Olympia has a mass amount of land downtown and hasn't done anything with it. They need to work on current projects (Grand Circus Park anyone?) instead of trying to run a monopoly. | ||
Apbest Member Username: Apbest Post Number: 305 Registered: 03-2006 |
my personal favorites are Scruggs/Allen and CS Veco | ||
Rjlj Member Username: Rjlj Post Number: 205 Registered: 11-2003 |
Either of these two sound great to me. "Fieldstone Properties would use the building as the offices for Mindfield Pictures, a Detroit-based creative media design, production and editorial facility. They would also create a GAR/Civil War Museum. CS Veco wants to convert the building into a bed and breakfast, gourmet coffee shop, restaurant and office space" | ||
Supersport Member Username: Supersport Post Number: 10920 Registered: 10-2003 |
Olympia Development: GAR memorial, office space, and club or cafe. Thumbs up. As this proposal as well as the backing has the financial means to make the project happen. I'm sure when they say "club" it would hardly be the type of club that attracts problems, more likely a social club of some sort without the booming bass on at 2 am on a monday morning. The New GAR Development Team: 15 apartments on top 3 floors, retail, and a historical display. Thumbs up. This to me sounds like the best proposal of the bunch. However, as was mention by this group, parking is an issue. As one who walks Grand River quite regularly, this are is quite desolate and the cars parked in front of the lofts there nearby are consistantly broken into. The closes parking garages are several blocks away, which may be a serious factor for some. A bus stop in front of the building isn't too appealing either, as I've seen more than a few loud mouthed drunks at that stop on many occasions. Qualia Media Group: Restaurant/bar/cafe, salon, retailer, tv production, music studio, design studio, theatres, and a theatre/lounge on the top floor. Wrapping banners around building to bring in $800,000 a year. Thumbs down. Most importantly because wrapping the building in banners is about the stupidest fuckin' thing I've ever heard of. If you're gonna cover up the architecture, you may as well just tear it down. Gabriel Scruggs and Robert Allen Architects PC: Camelot night club. Thumbs down. I'm sorry, perhaps I just have a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to clubs, perhaps it's because I'm not a clubber. Either way, I'd be happy as hell if the city banned any new clubs from opening up. They get all excited over the proposed Hustler Club trying to open, yet people aren't shot in front of strip clubs downtown. The Good Life Lounge had two bouncers shot just a few nights ago. Clubs in downtown are the CBD's biggest problem bar far. Fieldstone Properties: Offices for Mindfield Pictures, a Detroit-based creative media design, production and editorial facility. They would also create a GAR/Civil War Museum. Thumbs up. Sounds like a good proposal to me, with a civil war museum on the ground floor. CS Veco: Bed and Breakfast Thumbs up. I like this proposal the best. Mostly because it allows practically the whole building to be open to the public. I feel that it would be very successful, as other local bed and breakfasts seem to be doing a great business. They could easily solve the parking issue by offering valet to their guests, parking their cars at a local garge someplace that they work out an agreement with. After seeing the amazing restorations done on the Woodbridge Star, Ferry Street Inn, and the most recent one in Brush Park, I feel this would be by far the best development plan. | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 770 Registered: 06-2005 |
If no one hasn't seen this yet.... Looks like Olympia Development will get the G.A.R. Big surprise, really... http://www.crainsdetroit.com/a pps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/2006 1204/SUB/612010341/-1/toc | ||
Archy Member Username: Archy Post Number: 29 Registered: 07-2004 |
Just you wait...I bet by restuarant they mean a little sleasers on the ground floor...Little ceasers palace of pizza? | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 455 Registered: 08-2006 |
Is there any possibility of the building being demolished? | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 3299 Registered: 08-2004 |
Absolutely NO. The site is too small for parking. And the city retains the right to revoke the sale if no development takes place. | ||
Milwaukee Member Username: Milwaukee Post Number: 457 Registered: 08-2006 |
That's good to hear. I heard that this developer has a history of neglecting his buildings and then demolishing them. | ||
Detroit_stylin Member Username: Detroit_stylin Post Number: 3426 Registered: 10-2003 |
u heard correct young padwain... | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 3302 Registered: 08-2004 |
Milwaukee, No one had ever gone against the National Trust For Historic Preservation and demolished one of the buildings on the Trust's annual list of 11 MOST ENDANGERED BUILDINGS IN THE USA. At least now during the year they were on the list. Well Mr. Ilitch and the city did just that with the demolition of the Madison-Lenox. So the National Trust got even with Ilitch by posting a picture of Ilitch's decaying and neglected United Artists Building (the one with all the windows painted as artwork by trespassers) on the front cover of last years THE NATIONAL TRUST magazine (nationwide circulation of nearly 700,000). The National Trust then trumped that by putting ALL of downtown's decaying buildings on the 2006 11 MOST ENDANGERED list. Mr. Ilitch won kudo's for his 1988-89 restoration of the Fox Theatre (it was more of a cleanup, cuz the theatre was still in decent shape). He got AIA awards, and an award from the Theatre Historical Society. It will be interesting to see if he gets any more awards for his work on the GAR or the Detroit Life Building restorations. |
