  Andremcq Member Username: Andremcq Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2006 |
I just got back from Orlando, FL from a business trip. One of our night out events was to go to Pleasure Island (PI). PI is a place where you can pay a flat fee and go from club to club and carry around drinks from bar to bar. It was a great atmosphere where all races could enjoy night life as well as good food. I am not much to talking, but I want to bring this type of entertainment to Belle Isle. The only problem i have is I don't know where to start. If anyone could give me some advice, I would greatly love it. I am sure the City would love it too. | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 1910 Registered: 10-2003 |
Why would you callously suggest to ruin Belle Isle like that? If Pleasure Island is what you want, go to Pleasure Island. I'll take a real city any day over that plastic imitation crap churned out in corporate boardrooms. | ||
Alsodave Member Username: Alsodave Post Number: 772 Registered: 10-2003 |
Sounds like a great use for the Fountain Walk in Novi.  | ||
Krawlspace Member Username: Krawlspace Post Number: 276 Registered: 04-2004 |
Too bad for your plans the Island closes at 10 pm. Go to Greektown or Foxtown, or Mexicantown or the new Casinotowns. If you actually had the ability to "bring this type of entertainment to Belle Isle" you wouldn't need to ask the forum who to call. | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 583 Registered: 11-2004 |
You want turn the best park in the city into some lame tourist trap? Do you realzie that this park designed by Frederick Law Olmstead who also designed Centeral Park in NYC. Would you suggest such an outlandish idea for that space I think not. (Message edited by eric on November 09, 2006) | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 3054 Registered: 08-2004 |
Welcome to the Forum Andremcq! Don't listen to Danindc, he's one of our non-resident sourpusses who likes Newbies for lunch. Rather than being narrow minded, I'd like to hear some more info on what you saw and experienced. It may not work on Belle Isle, but if it was that pleasant of an experience, tell us more! | ||
Andremcq Member Username: Andremcq Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2006 |
The place was set on the river. I guess the thing I liked the most is that you are not restricted to stay in one club venue. That way you can explore more in one night without going broke. It leads you from one adventure to the next. Think about it this way. It is like having a year round festival. I would love to see the streets of Detroit packed every night of the week or on the weekend. Think about the impact this would have on the city and the jobs it would bring. | ||
Jjw Member Username: Jjw Post Number: 194 Registered: 10-2005 |
This type of venue you are suggesting sounds like a possibility in a number of areas in and around the downtown area, not Belle Isle. If a water view is essential, why not near the bridge? Great views and lots of land. | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1387 Registered: 05-2005 |
stupid post du jour canidate! | ||
Jasoncw Member Username: Jasoncw Post Number: 276 Registered: 07-2005 |
That sounds like something that would complement Greektown pretty well. Belle Isle is more about families going to the park, or the musuem, or to jog, or to get attacked by hoards of geese. I guess the casino is there though... But what you speak of could happen anywhere though. You'd just need to get the venues to have flat rates that are the same price, and then you'd have to get the venues to agree to accept each other. | ||
Andremcq Member Username: Andremcq Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2006 |
Okay let me pose another question? Where you suggest that such entertainment zone be built? What kinds of entertainment would you like to see there? How much would you pay to freely walk in and out of all venues all night long? | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 617 Registered: 09-2005 |
Andremcq, have you ever been to Windsor? | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 1911 Registered: 10-2003 |
I don't agree with a designated "entertainment zone" in concept. It reeks of an artificial, suburban mentality: this is the area where people live, this is the area where people work, and this is the area where people party.... Let me ask, in return, why Detroit shouldn't grow organically? What you describe already exists in other cities that have densely populated neighborhoods. Granted, in most of them, you can't walk up and down sidewalks with a drink in your hand, but you can't beat a free cover charge. Please. Let's not do Detroit a disservice by Disneyfying it. The D is one of America's great cities--can we show it just an ounce of respect? | ||
Jjw Member Username: Jjw Post Number: 195 Registered: 10-2005 |
There is plenty of space in Detroit for this type of venue to occur while having no impact on the city still growing "organically". Would I personally frequent such a place? Probably not. --I say build it but make it "clothing optional". That way, you can get the Ohio Swingers Club to come up and contribute to the economy. | ||
Reetz12 Member Username: Reetz12 Post Number: 100 Registered: 09-2005 |
Pleasure island is the definition of "Tourist Place" yeah it is cool for a vacation, but if you had talked to the workers, none of the locals/workers frequent that place. Also, florida is typically warm weather year around, so you don't have to worry about the weather in the open area of walking from bar to bar. What was the flat fee to get into pleasure island...15? 20? dollars noboday would pay that, not even the 21 year olds from the suburbs. | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 314 Registered: 01-2006 |
I've been to that area, and really enjoyed it. I think something like that could work along the east riverfront as it develops. | ||
Mattric43 Member Username: Mattric43 Post Number: 70 Registered: 03-2006 |
I think it could be a good idea. First off Why has no one mentioned the defunct Rivertown!! Second why does everyone on this forum complain about "tourist/suburbanite Hangouts" Doesn;t that bring business and money to our city that could use a lot of it. Third people would pay $20 to get into multiple clubs. Downtown pontiac had Girls gone wild night at Tiki Bobs and the cover was $20. The line was around the block and they had to turn people away. I know your going to say but it was girls gone wild. So what you think you can't see boobies on a regular night then I don't know what to tell you and also your going to a bar/club not the strip joint. I did like Windsor 5 years ago and I think if they had one cover for all of the clubs they would have been even busier. Rivertown would be perfect. Plus it's on the water just like Andremcq would like it. | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 1914 Registered: 10-2003 |
As someone that lives in a tourist-heavy city, I can appreciate that. But that doesn't mean I want to hang out at ESPN Zone with the tourists. Why is it such a crime to try to make the city meet the needs of the people who actually live there, vis-a-vis tourists and suburbanites? Sometimes, quality of life is more important than extracting every last dollar out of nonresidents. | ||
Mattric43 Member Username: Mattric43 Post Number: 71 Registered: 03-2006 |
I agree but if you don't want to hang out at a tourist type hang out then don't go there. It is only a small corner of the big picture. There are places that are for the people that live there and also could be potential for more areas like that. People in Vegas don't always hang out at the casinos or on the strip. You gotta think though as soon as something big and cool is in place for the residents of the city the suburbanites and tourists are going to flock to it. | ||
Detroitduo Member Username: Detroitduo Post Number: 746 Registered: 06-2005 |
I think it is cool... but think about it, right? Fountain walk and "downtown Novi" have been increadibly successful, right? Hhmmm... There is a place and time for such a development in Detroit. The place, IMO, is not Belle Isle (maybe the river front, though) and the time isn't now, but perhaps 10 years. all my opinion... | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1845 Registered: 11-2004 |
This is a great thread! | ||
Mattric43 Member Username: Mattric43 Post Number: 73 Registered: 03-2006 |
No Belle Isle is definately not the place but why 10 years? And if we got a ball rolling now it probably wouldn't happen for a few years anyway. Sorry guys I hate to burst anyones bubble but we're not going to be partying it up this weekend at Detroit's Pleasure island/Riverfront. | ||
Quickdrawmcgraw Member Username: Quickdrawmcgraw Post Number: 85 Registered: 10-2005 |
Look, we came out for Winter Blast for 2 years. Why we can't come out for something like this. Preferably, I think Rivertown would be ideal. If the various clubs, restaurants and bars have a one price admission and you have a wristband, then it would be cool. It doesn't have 2 be "Disney-esque", just some owners who want to open up some various spots. Cleveland has an entertainment area called the Flats. | ||
Mattric43 Member Username: Mattric43 Post Number: 75 Registered: 03-2006 |
Exactly!! They don't need a Huge brick wall surrounding them like Harbortown!! But that is a whole different story. | ||
Viziondetroit Member Username: Viziondetroit Post Number: 892 Registered: 11-2003 |
sidebar.... Andre did you go to EMU? TRUE BLUE | ||
Detroitej72 Member Username: Detroitej72 Post Number: 407 Registered: 05-2006 |
quote: Look, we came out for Winter Blast for 2 years. Why we can't come out for something like this. Preferably, I think Rivertown would be ideal. If the various clubs, restaurants and bars have a one price admission and you have a wristband, then it would be cool. It doesn't have 2 be "Disney-esque", just some owners who want to open up some various spots. ______________________________ ___________________ I agree, Rivertown was left to burn and decay, unfortunately one of Archer's few mistakes... Therefore, it makes sense to rebuild the area, it can still be saved.(whats left of it) We could incorporate the Dequindre Cut into the plan, as an urban "rails to trails", and have a REAL WALKING entertainment spot in Detroit. The thought of this type of entertainment zone, while intrieging, is probably years away, at least in the current D. Still, one can dream, right? Detroitej72 | ||
Tomoh Member Username: Tomoh Post Number: 268 Registered: 11-2004 |
Quickdrawmcgraw, have you been to the Flats recently? I don't think that's what we hope will happen to any new entertainment district in Detroit... although it's not unlike what happened to Rivertown (for different reasons). | ||
Yvette248 Member Username: Yvette248 Post Number: 107 Registered: 10-2006 |
East Riverfront is definitely the best place for something like this. The closest thing we have to this right now is Greektown. People do literally walk from door to door... I don't know about the drink in hand part though. Leave Belle Isle for families. | ||
Toolbox Member Username: Toolbox Post Number: 1004 Registered: 10-2003 |
Try again. It is set on Buena Vista Lagoon a man made lake in Downtown Disney®. | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 2303 Registered: 10-2003 |
You can't do this in Michigan. It is against the Michigan liquor laws. You cannot charge a fixed price and provide all you can drink. You also cannot take a drink from one bar into another. These are the same laws that prevent michigan casinos from giving away drinks. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 3057 Registered: 08-2004 |
... and these are the same laws that prevent the sale of "brandy chocolates" in the state of Michigan.  I have to get my yummy Asbach Uralt brandy chocolate fix from Germany via Florida.... (or from Windsor at Schwab's Deli). | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 4154 Registered: 10-2003 |
Dear Homeland Security, ICE, and Michigan LCC. Please note, Gistok's consumption is outside the State of Michigan. No way would he consider smuggling banned items over the border. | ||
Downtown_dave Member Username: Downtown_dave Post Number: 104 Registered: 07-2005 |
Toolbox noted correctly that this "Pleasure Island" is known as Downtown Disney, built to corral (more) tourist dollars from the non-family crowd visiting Orlando and Disney World. With deep pocket like Disney has - yes, a Pleasure Island could be built here, but as others have pointed out - why? There are already a few of these "entertainment zones" in the city - both established (Greektown) and coming along Park Avenue, Midtown, etc.) Development dollars might be best spent contributing to the synergy already in these areas, rather than trying to create an additional one. | ||
Bibs Member Username: Bibs Post Number: 602 Registered: 10-2003 |
When the Island was open 24/7, Belle Isle was automatically Pleasure Island (PI) after 10pm, especially on a hot Friday night during the Summer. | ||
Deputy Member Username: Deputy Post Number: 94 Registered: 02-2004 |
Downtown_dave - Just a clarification, Pleasure Island is located near Downtown Disney but they are not one and the same. And there can legally be a place like this, they just all have to be owned by the same entity and be connected by private property. This would allow patrons to freely carry drinks from one "bar" to another "bar", because technically they are the same bar. The idea of Pleasure Island is kinda cool, they have many bars with all sorts of themes...there's a sports bar, dueling pianos, various dance joints, a Year round New Year's Eve bar, etc. I think this could work but you would need alot of patrons to keep this thing afloat. If this project drew that many patrons I can't help but think that other bars in downtown would be negatively effected by this. | ||
Detroitplanner Member Username: Detroitplanner Post Number: 413 Registered: 04-2006 |
YOu can carry a beer around downtown disney. They even have beer stands! I don't see much of a difference except the PI is able to be fenced off at night and charge admission. | ||
Harmonie Member Username: Harmonie Post Number: 647 Registered: 08-2004 |
We don't have the pay one price and take alcohol between bars but we do have over 100 bars in the approximately one square mile of Downtown. (www.insidedetroit.org/100.html) In many areas you have more than ten within only a block or two. I frequently stop into at least four bars in a night, instead of staying at just one. What's even better than a place like Paradise Island is that you can get all different kinds of bars. I can go from a blues bar to a martini bar to a hole-in-the-wall to a sports bar within just a couple blocks...and I love it! | ||
Mattric43 Member Username: Mattric43 Post Number: 77 Registered: 03-2006 |
------------------------------ ------------------------------ -------------------- quote: You can't do this in Michigan. It is against the Michigan liquor laws. You cannot charge a fixed price and provide all you can drink. You also cannot take a drink from one bar into another. ------------------------------ ------------------------------ -------------------- Right but we are not talking about charging for all you can drink only for admission to all of the bars in the area. Also with the privately owned property discussed earlier you would be able to carry your drink all around that property. I think it would be so cool to go to the different themed bars and not have to pay a cover each time you enter a new bar. Do you think we can get something like a can/pass for regulars or a VIP pass to skip the lines? | ||
Michmeister Member Username: Michmeister Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2006 |
Could the DBC be renovated and be used for such an establishment? I don`t know how big it is on the inside, or how many rooms it has that would accomodate such an atmosphere.It could be all under one management that one would not be going from one bar to another, just one "theme room" to another. It would be better than letting that jewel just rot away. I figure that since it was once a place to meet and greet, that no structural changes would have to be made besides bringing it up to code. |
