 
Apbest
Member
Username: Apbest
Post Number: 125
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 68.40.65.66
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 9:08 pm: |    |
The area north of 75 has become pretty deslote. Consdiering its unique position between Midtown and Downtown/Foxtown and adjacent to the Brush Corridor..I think it would be a perfect place for a large-scale park like Millenium Park(Grant Park) in Chicago/Central Park in NYC...the Eddystone or a couple other buildings are still standing, but would have to be demolished (or maybe moved...we're dreaming arent we?). Maybe a big-dig like setup would be suitable for that section of 75? anyway...it seems like a good way to increase desirability of crosswinds/other developments in the area. Thoughts? |
Focusonthed
Member
Username: Focusonthed
Post Number: 310
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 24.192.25.47
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 9:22 pm: | |
It would be kind of nice to see 75 covered up, but there is just no money for these kinds of things. |
Rbdetsport
Member
Username: Rbdetsport
Post Number: 127
Registered: 11-2005
Posted From: 68.61.11.146
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 9:30 pm: | |
I have always thought about that. When I visited Central Park, I wondered if a smaller version of Central Park would have the same affect on development in Detroit, eventually. A park around that area could lead to a huge spurt in residential development. |
Machoken
Member
Username: Machoken
Post Number: 1354
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.85.155.145
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 9:34 pm: | |
We have a 'Central Park'. It's called Belle Isle. Is there all sorts of 'huge spurts' in residential development near Belle Isle? Not really. |
Apbest
Member
Username: Apbest
Post Number: 126
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 68.40.65.66
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 9:46 pm: | |
well....its an island, der?
something like belle isle in the aforementioned area would def. have a positive affect on development |
Machoken
Member
Username: Machoken
Post Number: 1355
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.85.155.145
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 9:56 pm: | |
Come on Apbest, I should have said 'near the entrance to Belle Isle' but you get the point. I can see that a park that could be surrounded by housing and such could have a positive affect on development, but definitely? I don't think so. Would a 1000 acre garbage strewn park that can't get it's grass cut make a good neighbor?
I'm just saying. Where's the money for this pipe dream? |
Neilr
Member
Username: Neilr
Post Number: 284
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 68.60.139.212
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:00 pm: | |
Fredrick Law Olmstead designed Central Park and Prospect Park in NYC. He also planned Belle Isle and Elmwood Cementery here in Detroit. |
Apbest
Member
Username: Apbest
Post Number: 127
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 68.40.65.66
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:00 pm: | |
and a lot of dirt lots and blown out developments?
how do you solve the problem of trash/grass? Do it like Campus Martius and let Detroit3000 or some other quasi-public conservancy manage/build it but let city retain ownership. With some classy large art and well planned bike/running paths and ponds/bridges (like belle isle)...it is illogical to think it will have anything but a positive affect, or I should say it certainly wouldnt HURT the area. Do you think those lots will be developed anytime in the near or far future even assuming all planned and proposed development |
Apbest
Member
Username: Apbest
Post Number: 128
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 68.40.65.66
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:01 pm: | |
and a lot of dirt lots and blown out developments does more for the area?
how do you solve the problem of trash/grass? Do it like Campus Martius and let Detroit3000 or some other quasi-public conservancy manage/build it but let city retain ownership. With some classy large art and well planned bike/running paths and ponds/bridges (like belle isle)...it is illogical to think it will have anything but a positive affect, or I should say it certainly wouldnt HURT the area. Do you think those lots will be developed anytime in the near or far future even assuming all planned and proposed development |
Machoken
Member
Username: Machoken
Post Number: 1356
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.85.155.145
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:04 pm: | |
Well it's a nice idea, I'll give you that. |
Apbest
Member
Username: Apbest
Post Number: 129
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 68.40.65.66
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:07 pm: | |
oh yeah, financing is quite a different question |
Pistonian_revolution
Member
Username: Pistonian_revolution
Post Number: 8
Registered: 05-2006
Posted From: 69.136.139.115
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:17 pm: | |
detroit has more park space than the majority of big old cities in the US. i dont know about new cities like phoenix. but compared with chicago, new york, phillie, etc- detroit has a shitload of parkspace. we have so many parks- we dont need any more. in fact, i'd say we have too many parks in detroit. i'd rather have high density development instead of a shitload of greenspace. |
Detroiternthemist
Member
Username: Detroiternthemist
Post Number: 66
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 68.73.53.71
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:19 pm: | |
how about the state park along the river...be patient folks......how about we let detroit grow into a better detroit without all the comparisons to ny, chicago and other cities. |
Hornwrecker
Member
Username: Hornwrecker
Post Number: 1263
Registered: 04-2005
Posted From: 63.41.8.158
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:25 pm: | |
Here's a winter aerial from 2005 of that area.
Not the best quality, but the snow cover shows the open areas. |
Designut
Member
Username: Designut
Post Number: 28
Registered: 05-2006
Posted From: 69.246.46.45
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:41 pm: | |
My buddy and I (also a forum member) have a little saying we repeat every time we drive downtown via woodward when we reach this large vacant parcel: "what are we doin' here guys?"
(I say it aloud now, even if I'm driving alone)
So, what are we doin' here guys? |
Apbest
Member
Username: Apbest
Post Number: 130
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 68.40.65.66
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 11:26 pm: | |
the only "high density" development you'll see there is something like Crosswinds or Woodbridge estates...similar looking surburban style development. It has it's place in the city, but not in Downtown. We have to be more creative. The amount of parkspace in the city is totally irrelevant to wether or not we should create such a park. Did an abundance of parkspace stop Campus martius from being an unbelievable success? no...it's all about the Park's design and function within's its urban fabric. I think a big park would do alot there |
Ndavies
Member
Username: Ndavies
Post Number: 1967
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 129.9.163.106
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 9:41 am: | |
You'll get yopur chance to turn it into a park, If you want it to be a park. The city is in the process of reclaiming the property form the developer who was originally given the rights to the property west of woodward, north of Henry. They will be putting out an RFP once they regain control. If you think a park is a great Idea, Generate an RFP and submit it to the city. I'm sure they will jump all over this brilliant idea when they find out you have no cash to get the park built.
Personally I think a project similar to the Ellington woul be the best use of that land. |
Detroitduo
Member
Username: Detroitduo
Post Number: 701
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 194.138.39.55
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 9:43 am: | |
Personally, as a person who owns a view of these empty lots, I want them filled with 4-6 story buildings and some ground retail. No park, there, makes sense. And oh, what about CASS PARK, which is mere blocks away? just forget it, because we have this wonderful new park that doesn't fit along side Woodward, a 7 lane State Highway? If you want to dream and you want that area to thrive, then you need Residential in the empty lots with some retail and make your Residential park from the one that ALREADY exists there! CASS PARK! The Neighborhood isn't called "Cass Park" for nothing, you know.
We've gotta use what Detroit already has, not go and create something new, right next door to the same thing, just because it's vacant. A large Park on Woodward doesn't fit, doesn't add anything to the neighborhood (including residents) and a PARK already exists. Change the thread to "Let's renovate Cass Park to spur Residential Growth" and I will have something positive to say. Sorry, but that's just how I see it (literally from my front window)! |
Mike
Member
Username: Mike
Post Number: 627
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.41.109.36
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 9:46 am: | |
The problem with Parks in and around downtown is that while nice, grand circus as an example, they get occupied by the homeless, thus repelling any interest in them |
Rjlj
Member
Username: Rjlj
Post Number: 84
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 63.171.81.130
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:20 am: | |
If Detroit had Green areas to spare, Kilpatrick would be selling off the land to save his own azz. Just like Rackham. |
Jjw
Member
Username: Jjw
Post Number: 127
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 68.33.56.156
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 10:32 am: | |
move the zoo there |
Royce
Member
Username: Royce
Post Number: 1663
Registered: 07-2004
Posted From: 75.9.244.48
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 1:10 pm: | |
Apbest, we all have our dreams of what we would like to see in various parts of the city. I have to respectfully disagree with your dream of having a park along that stretch of Woodward. As Pistonian has mentioned, Detroit has a boat load of parks, and very few of them are maintained very well. Walk four blocks west and two blocks north and you'll find Cass Park. It's a hangout for the homeless, but it's a block long park in front of two beautiful buidings, the Masonic Temple and the former home of the Metropolitan Center for High Technology. This could be the park you're looking for for the Midtown area.
What really needs to go along that area of Woodward are some retail shops that provide items for the residents in that area. Some Ellington style lofts with retail on the first floor would be ideal. A small grocery store like Harbortown Market or a tastefully done Walgreen's would also be a welcome addition. A park just isn't the best use of real estate there. |