  Gianni Member Username: Gianni Post Number: 288 Registered: 05-2004 |
We were at Belle Isle Sunday to go kite flying. In what was a beautiful green field just a few weeks ago there is now a HUGE expanse of concrete pavement. This is the area in front of the casino and between the casino and the ring road. It must be several acres. It is really ugly. Obviously this has to do with the Gran Prix. I love the Gran Prix but I can see no reason why they needed to pave over the equivalent of probably 5-6 football fields for an event that lasts only a few days, at best, once a year. Am I missing something? Why is this necessary? | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 1652 Registered: 05-2005 |
its tough to wrench on million dollar cars on tarps in the mud? (Message edited by gravitymachine on May 15, 2007) | ||
Leland_palmer Member Username: Leland_palmer Post Number: 315 Registered: 08-2004 |
https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/5/99882.html?1177073864 | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1485 Registered: 11-2003 |
Paved paddock? Hallelujah! | ||
Hans57 Member Username: Hans57 Post Number: 122 Registered: 05-2006 |
I'm sure that some landscaping will be added...maybe. I also believe Belle Isle will be host to more than the IRL and American le Mans in the future. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 2163 Registered: 06-2004 |
I saw that, too, the last time I was out - really a bummer to see what little greenspace there is in the city get paved | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 2612 Registered: 10-2003 |
Let's not be overdramatic. They are paving a handful of acres in a very large park. The economic windfall this will provide for the island will more than make up for the tiny amount of land paved over. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 9163 Registered: 10-2003 |
Belle Isle is almost 1000 acres so a couple being paved won't have a huge impact. Now how many of those 982 acres are accesible green space. | ||
Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 260 Registered: 05-2006 |
If this is what was necessary to secure the return auto racing to Detroit, then so be it. Unfortunately, this field of concrete is right near the entrance to the island. It leaves a bad initial impression. Too bad they can’t come up with some use for it when it’s not being used for racing. Perhaps a weekend antique/flee market would work. Are there any other suggestions? | ||
65memories Member Username: 65memories Post Number: 398 Registered: 10-2003 |
Where's Joni Mitchell and her Big Yellow Taxi when you need her? | ||
Kslice Member Username: Kslice Post Number: 36 Registered: 04-2007 |
Bah, They should run the Grand Prix through the streets of downtown like they used to! | ||
Danindc Member Username: Danindc Post Number: 2467 Registered: 10-2003 |
Way to whore out Belle Isle! Detroit--parking capital of the world. | ||
Iddude313 Member Username: Iddude313 Post Number: 77 Registered: 07-2005 |
So how much is parking going to cost? | ||
Jjw Member Username: Jjw Post Number: 309 Registered: 10-2005 |
was in town this past week--saw it---new low | ||
Burnsie Member Username: Burnsie Post Number: 980 Registered: 11-2003 |
The concrete may be "only" a couple of acres, but the point is that it seriously detracts from Olmstead's vision of Belle Isle as a *park*. The race should have been moved back to the streets of downtown-- haven't the roads been fixed enough there by now to overcome the pavement problems that moved the race to Belle Isle? | ||
Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 262 Registered: 05-2006 |
Construction of the GM riverfront plaza and the parking decks east of the RenCen have eliminated any possibility of reviving the circuit used downtown. There is no longer room for the paddock or the grandstands. | ||
Detroit313 Member Username: Detroit313 Post Number: 329 Registered: 02-2006 |
ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!! Acres of parking? Listen to yourselves. Is this the true meaning of "PARK"? Not in my book, I mean I read a discussion about not comparing Detroit to other cities, but what city on earth has acres of parking in their main park??????? Hyde Park, Central Park, Grant Park, Balboa Park? I am very disappointed in this, Very! Belle Isle is supposed to be Detroit's showplace park! If you must put that crap in Rouge Park. <313> | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 444 Registered: 10-2003 |
Racing downtown was definitely the best. I remember when I was young being down at Tiger Stadium seeing a game with my parents at the same time of the Grand Prix. Everything was abuzz, and the sky was filled with blimps and planes dragging along their banners, Think of the fun hairpin they could have around Campus Martius! | ||
Genesyxx Member Username: Genesyxx Post Number: 726 Registered: 02-2004 |
I will miss those green pastures though. Loved playing soccer and frisbee there. Can't go diving on concrete now... | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1489 Registered: 11-2003 |
The concrete is not for parking, it's for the paddock area of the race track, something Penske (all ya'll's hero) probably demanded considering the shape of the paddock during previous races on the island. | ||
Jams Member Username: Jams Post Number: 5013 Registered: 10-2003 |
Downtown Grand Prix has as much a chance as Tigers playing in Tiger Stadium or the Wings back at Olympia. It was great at the time, but it's gone now. | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 2167 Registered: 06-2004 |
they should've come up with a temporary surface that could be sodded, like Campus Martius switching between the rink and grass | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4320 Registered: 08-2004 |
I believe that less than half of Belle Isle was Olmstead's creation. They kept adding to the park when they were dredging the shipping lanes, etc. The eastern and western ends especially are not Olmstead's. Neither the Scott Fountain and basin area (and the land west of there) nor the area around the Blue Heron Lagoon are his creations. Even the route of the ring road circling the island has been changed over the last century. Olmstead's main area of design include the areas around Central Ave. and Inselruhe Ave. | ||
Wolverine Member Username: Wolverine Post Number: 319 Registered: 04-2004 |
Yeah, the whole parking lot thing ruined the whole Belle Isle is beautiful tour I was giving my Chicago friends. Especially after they were questioning the excessive amount of parking around the city. | ||
Wolverine Member Username: Wolverine Post Number: 320 Registered: 04-2004 |
But at least its concrete! We can pretend it's a public plaza, that people happen to park on. | ||
Alexei289 Member Username: Alexei289 Post Number: 1294 Registered: 11-2004 |
I saw it the other day too.. whatever.. I agree it could be in a better spot... possibly near the water and out of the way of the main park... and in a spot that if u were walking like a drunk idiot u wouldnt just run into it, but still accessable during race time. Beggers cant be choosers tho. It would do wonders if they could get the basin cleaned up and the fountain working again. Its such a beautiful set up that is currently covered in beer bottles and styrofoam. The lights and the walkway around the basin need replaceing and improved landscaping badly. It would be nice if that could have been part of the deal... but o well. | ||
Nere Member Username: Nere Post Number: 41 Registered: 04-2007 |
So, ahem, when is the Belle Isle Grand Prix? | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 908 Registered: 10-2003 |
The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix is Labor Day weekend. Free Day is Friday, August 31 Saturday is the ALMS (American Le Mans Series)9-1 Sunday is the IRL (Indy Racing League)9-2 Penske's team is strong in both in IRL, the other strong players are Andretti's team and Gannassi's team. See this link: http://www.detroitgp.com/map.a sp There are expected to be bands from the Jazz festival playing on the island that weekend as well. The weekend before that will be a new version of the Concours d'elegance downtown at Campus Martius. There is an earlier series of posts with good background info as well. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 3866 Registered: 10-2003 |
Part of the problem with the paddock is that it is the first thing that meets the eye when one turns onto the island. It is visually disappointing. It seems to me that they could have at least interspersed some islands of vegetation including a grove of pine trees to block the immediate on island view. Of course Penske can do not wrong following the superbowl and now he gets to have his way with public recreational property. So I guess I will have to work on my explanation to out of town visitors. On rainy days it is no problem... it's a lake! On dry days... it's a mistake. It is going to be removed soon with the slabs used to expand the shore banks.  [Fingers crossed behind my back.] | ||
Atl_runner Member Username: Atl_runner Post Number: 1963 Registered: 10-2003 |
Let's just hope there are other plans for it. Weekend Flea Market? (I know eastern market is already there).. something. If they really put that there for a one weekend a year race, and the rest of the time it sit's empty, or worse, with cars parked on it at random, then that's nothing but disappointing. Anyone have other ideas for the site that could work? Let's see if the DetroitYes collective creativity is greater than that of the leadership that put that concrete into place. | ||
Tiorted Member Username: Tiorted Post Number: 96 Registered: 02-2006 |
quote: take a drive down Warren between Gratiot and 75, plenty of greenspace in that area | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9318 Registered: 12-2003 |
So...HOW do we turn this into a skateboard park\first aid station for the duration of the warmer months?! Plus, I think it was Cheddar_Bob who looked that way during the picnic and said it should be the largest ice rink around during the wintertime. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9319 Registered: 12-2003 |
Speed Skating, too. Both Ice and Roller Blades...they have extra-wheeled blades for increased speed, like those long-bladed iceskates. Whoo-whee! PLUS, it would make an excellent skidpad for teaching evasive and inclement weather driving. Skidpad. That's a cool term. They SHOULD have a regional driving school on the track anyways once the barriers go up...each and every car that has a fan club would love the chance to learn the limits of their vehicles. Of course, this would have to happen AFTER the race to make certain the race course wasn't damaged from amateur mistakes! | ||
Canuckr Member Username: Canuckr Post Number: 66 Registered: 02-2005 |
Omg... The ruined the whole park... Everyone abandoned ship.. I dont see the big deal.. Was there on monday and thought it would make for a great autox lot. | ||
Dougw Member Username: Dougw Post Number: 1707 Registered: 11-2003 |
I'm happy to cut Roger Penske a lot of slack for everything he's done with the CleanDowntown, the Super Bowl, etc. Still, the magnitude and location of this parking lot really kind of sucks. It's right there as you enter the island. If it were back by the Belle Isle Zoo or somewhere else it wouldn't be so bad. There's got to be some way to soften it, at least, as Lowell suggests. Even if it were more of a dull gray color like the road around the island, instead of shocking white, that might help. Flybydon's great picture on the other thread really captures this: https://www.atdetroit.net/forum/mes sages/5/102362.jpg Also, are any proceeds from the Gran Prix going to fund any specific Belle Isle projects or orgranizations? | ||
Billk Member Username: Billk Post Number: 12 Registered: 09-2005 |
The president of the Detroit Grand Prix was on one of those Sunday morning talk shows last Sunday. He said this area was unusable much of the time because it was prone to flooding. He also mentioned using it for things such as 3 on 3 basketball tournaments. | ||
Irish_mafia Member Username: Irish_mafia Post Number: 911 Registered: 10-2003 |
DougW, Proceeds from the Grand Prix are specifically targeted to Belle Isle projects... sorely needed funds. | ||
Gannon Member Username: Gannon Post Number: 9348 Registered: 12-2003 |
Billk, Thanks, and welcome...that's right, this grassy area was usually wet for a long while after a rain. 3 on 3 tournaments sound like a good idea, too. DougW, Far as I know, this isn't a parking lot, it is the Pit/Paddock area for the track...you cannot hide those things on the far side of the moon. If you've ever seen a race staged, this is ground zero for the pit crew, media, VIPs, etc...it will be the craziest part of the whole island during the race weekend. I'd bet camera angles highlighting the downtown skyline were part of the location equation! | ||
Dougw Member Username: Dougw Post Number: 1710 Registered: 11-2003 |
Right, I know it's the pit/paddock area for the races, that's fine. I'm just hoping it doesn't end up as a parking lot the other 360 days of the year. Setting up parts of it for recreational uses such as basketball isn't a bad idea. It's probably a pretty nice rollerblading area right now, I guess. | ||
Downtown_remix Member Username: Downtown_remix Post Number: 242 Registered: 03-2007 |
Well i drove over and hated what they did, yet im hoping the island will become more user friendly (not just a drive through park) having more reasons to get outta the car. This could be a cool marketplace full of merchants with tents. We need as many shopping choices as possible | ||
Damon Member Username: Damon Post Number: 684 Registered: 11-2003 |
Yet another Detroit disgrace. | ||
Hans57 Member Username: Hans57 Post Number: 135 Registered: 05-2006 |
This is the least of our worries. | ||
Damon Member Username: Damon Post Number: 686 Registered: 11-2003 |
 DISGRACEFUL!!!! | ||
Peachlaser Member Username: Peachlaser Post Number: 87 Registered: 08-2006 |
Ouch! Having never been to Belle Isle, I would not have known what it looked like before. Obviously, it is brand new and real white right now! Once it weathers, hopefully, it will blend in better. It looks like a real nice canvas for some large art that can be seen from the air! Hopefully, this is progress that will have a lot of long-term benefits for Belle Isle and Detroit. I would think that the long-term plans are to spruce the whole area up. I've been a proponet of the Grand Prix because I think it brings some of the world's best automotive technology to Detroit, a place that needs all the latest technology and knowledge that can be garnered right now. This is a pretty expensive show that is coming to town and brings in teams from all over the world. I think it is a great opportunity for Detroit. I hate to see so much green go at one time and in this manner. If it helps revitalize Belle Isle and the region, then maybe it's just the price that has to be paid. It seems that it can be a multi-use area, so maybe it will eventually become a cool idea. Let's hope. (Message edited by peachlaser on May 31, 2007) | ||
Downtown_remix Member Username: Downtown_remix Post Number: 245 Registered: 03-2007 |
I can amagine people roller blading, or ice skating in a huge circle. we are very premature in the full concept of what their doing. The races are not till sept so there is much still left to do. | ||
Mbr Member Username: Mbr Post Number: 171 Registered: 03-2005 |
Hart Plaza has a lot of concrete and very little grass and people still seem to have a good time there. | ||
Gibran Member Username: Gibran Post Number: 489 Registered: 02-2007 |
the part by the fountain is really poor... | ||
Drankin21 Member Username: Drankin21 Post Number: 91 Registered: 12-2003 |
There is a lot that could be done there that was not an option before on Belle Isle. Not all park-based recreation takes place on grass. I am thinking basketball tournaments, roller hockey tournaments, concerts (dead grass), car shows and other events that prove to be better off being held on solid ground and not grass. This is a VERY small price to pay for getting a world class sporting event back in the city. | ||
Detroit313 Member Username: Detroit313 Post Number: 338 Registered: 02-2006 |
(Damon)OMG!!! THAT'S 10% OF THE PARK!!!<313> | ||
Drankin21 Member Username: Drankin21 Post Number: 92 Registered: 12-2003 |
Belle Isle is 983 Acres. 10 acres of TOTAL paving was done (inc. walkways, driveways, the main paddock section). That is a little over 1% of the park that was paved. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 973 Registered: 07-2004 |
I would like to ask what if this were done to any other park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Boston Common? Brooklyn? Central Park? Would any other city have residents that looked at it and shrugged, or, more curious still, talked about it as progress? It's sad that on this board, people both cheer on ripping down buildings and obliterating street grids for "green space" and paving over a spacious lawn on a classic 19th century park. What a city ... | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 962 Registered: 03-2006 |
Agreed Detroitnerd. I hope they dump some serious money into other parts of the island, but I'm not keeping my fingers crossed. That aerial photo says it all. Crude. Tasteless. Disgraceful. Thanks Penske. | ||
Downtown_remix Member Username: Downtown_remix Post Number: 247 Registered: 03-2007 |
if we stay on the same page forever, we will not grow. Its a painful transition. retrofitting our historical elements to fit in with the 21 century will hurt feelings. The grass was attractive at best was was it used for anything? lets wait till all work is done to see what their overall plans are about. Id like to see rollerblading, ice skatting, basketball tournaments, skate park, or merchant festivals throught the summer. Lets find ways to retain the history, but lets make money so it can get the love it deserves. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 977 Registered: 07-2004 |
Fuck "painful transitions." | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 963 Registered: 03-2006 |
quote: So a requirement of the "21st Century" includes auto-racing? Right. It's a park dammit. Not a racetrack. Horrible, horrible, idea. I guess this is the price we pay when a former race car driver becomes a city booster. | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1515 Registered: 11-2003 |
Where were all the complainers when the city approved the use of the island for the race? Talk about being a day late and a dollar short... | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 964 Registered: 03-2006 |
Oh yeah, I should have just taken the day off and set up a personal meeting with Mr. Kilpatrick to air my grievances... hmm should I listen to this random resident or the fat pockets of racing legend Mr. Penske... hmm... yeah democracy whatever... | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1516 Registered: 11-2003 |
Way to be a defeatist. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 965 Registered: 03-2006 |
no a realist. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 966 Registered: 03-2006 |
So are you a fan then of Belle Isle Racing? How Detroit. Turn the city's most prized park into a noisy, pollution-generating, filthy race track. F*ckin great. Maybe we could get EarthFirst to do some dirty work... (oh and I know it's NOT the whole island). | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1519 Registered: 11-2003 |
I am a racing fan. And the IRL runs green fuel. And I do understand the complaints. I'm just still wondering why the dissenters weren't out there in full force *before* this happened. To me it's like not voting but still complaining about the administration. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 967 Registered: 03-2006 |
Sorry if I'm a bit bitter. I understand what you're saying, honestly I don't think there was any organized opposition to racing on Belle Isle. Did FOBI oppose it? I don't know honestly. I work way too much apparently. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4449 Registered: 08-2004 |
Detroitnerd, before you get your knickers too far in a twist, realize this... only about 60% of Belle Isle was FREDRICK LAW OLMSTEAD designed. The western end (including this giant cement slab, Scott Fountain & Basin and eastern tip of the island) was underwater when Olmstead designed the park. So was the eastern end (Blue Heron Lagoon and where the Nature Zoo is). Belle Isle has gone from some 600 acres during the Olmstead era to 983 acres today. During the last century, they've been dredging the shipping channels on the river, and much of that dredging material went towards expanding Belle Isle (Message edited by Gistok on June 01, 2007) | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 968 Registered: 03-2006 |
Wow. There's no mention of the Grand Prix on FOBI's web site. Awesome. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 984 Registered: 07-2004 |
Susan, I think we all hear that there's going to be a race on Belle Isle and, not being pit engineers or something, we think it's going to be cars racing on the road, that, maybe, they'll have to do some better formwork and pouring at certain places. I certainly never thought they'd do something like this because, well, because it's so tasteless and outrageous. Must we attend every meeting, read every brief, to find where the next abomination is hidden? New York City has an official public advocate to sound alarm bells when stuff like this is in the works. Maybe we need an ad hoc version here. Again, just imagine if Sheep's Meadow in New York were paved over. The Parks Commissioner would be ridden out of town on a rail. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 985 Registered: 07-2004 |
Gistok: Oh, in that case, I will untwist my knickers and cheer this abomination on. At least completely pave the 40 percent that is not designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Or, hell, pave the whole island. Who needs green space in a park? But be sure to knock down some more buildings on Wayne State campus or get rid of some street grid downtown so we can have "green space" there. Sigh. Whatever. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 969 Registered: 03-2006 |
^I totally agree! Pave the parks and add greenspace where we don't need it! Sounds like the creep of suburbia to me. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 970 Registered: 03-2006 |
Someone should bomb that parking lot. | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1520 Registered: 11-2003 |
http://www.downtowndetroit.org /ddp/newsroom/detroit_news_sep tember_30_2006.htm Excerpt from the Detroit news article published on 9/30/06: quote: As I said above, I understand the complaints and personally think shutting down half the island on a holiday weekend isn't the greatest idea. However, it's not my fault you're not better informed. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 987 Registered: 07-2004 |
Did I blame you or something? | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 971 Registered: 03-2006 |
Sorry but us non-racing fans don't even know what the hell a "paddock" is. quote: I'd hardly call that sea of concrete an improvement. What's even worse is taxpayer money is paying for this crap. Seems Penske really does have Kilpatrick in his pocket. | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1521 Registered: 11-2003 |
Nice response to my pointing out your ignorance. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 972 Registered: 03-2006 |
I think she's having at it with me, Detroitnerd. | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1522 Registered: 11-2003 |
But if you really cared about what was going to have to be paved, wouldn't you have googled the word "paddock" to find out? Or is it easier to just be a reactionary? | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 973 Registered: 03-2006 |
there's a big difference between saying "the paddock will be paved" and "we are going to pave five football fields worth of grass right at the entrance to the island right next to key historic structures." | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4450 Registered: 08-2004 |
I was just looking at a map of Belle Isle circa 1915, and to tell you the truth... only about 20% of Belle Isle today would be recognizable by Olmstead if he were to visit Belle Isle today. The rest has been drastically altered over the last century. Even the ring road around Belle Isle came after Olmstead. His main surviving portion of the Island is Central Ave. and Inselruhe Ave. All the lagoons and waterways have long since been altered. So use all the arguments you want, just don't bring Olmstead in as an excuse. I was just as horrified as anyone else by Flybydon's picture when I first saw it. But if they use it for Basketball in the summer time and a giant ice rink in the winter time, then they will have found an excuse for what was unusable boggy wet land. When I went to the Forum picnic, I was stunned also. But it's a "fait accompli", so it's too late to change it. Maybe they spruce it up a little. At least the money from the Grand Prix will all go into fixing up Belle Isle. And for anyone who has been thru the forest on the east end, it badly needs some work. It looks like a Louisiana Bayou. | ||
Eric Member Username: Eric Post Number: 841 Registered: 11-2004 |
Not only was the paving in newspaper there's been a map up at race's website for months showing the proposed layout. If you people had been this outraged months ago maybe something could been done. http://www.detroitgp.com/image s/DGP_Map_big.gif | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1523 Registered: 11-2003 |
And just think, it's less grass for Kwame to have to cut. Again, if folks really cared on the front end, they could've done some research, scoped out the track map and figured out how large of a paving job it is. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 974 Registered: 03-2006 |
Honestly, I've been to busy lately to keep up on all the developments. I suppose my frustration comes from disappointment with my elected officials and local community groups who seem to have all let this go on unchallenged. That is what is amazing to me. Elected officials and community groups (some of which I have given money to) are supposed to question activities such as these. That is their job. But then we all know that looking out for the public good isn't REALLY the job of jerk off politicians. Making sure Penske gets off on his racing fantasies in return for his hard work downtown is more important. | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1524 Registered: 11-2003 |
I'm sure his team winning 14 Indy 500's has already gotten Mr. Penske off enough. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 975 Registered: 03-2006 |
Apparently not. | ||
Susanarosa Member Username: Susanarosa Post Number: 1526 Registered: 11-2003 |
I can't believe you think that his bringing the DGP back to Detroit is all about his race fantasies. So what was it when the DGP was on the island before and then left because the track sucked? Whose fantasies was that fulfilling? Or when they raced downtown when F1 was here, whose fantasy was that? | ||
Jfried Member Username: Jfried Post Number: 983 Registered: 11-2003 |
Eastsidedog - Penske has done more than anyone to improve the city & bring this region together in the last few years, and for you to attack his efforts downtown as just buttering up to get the race is complete shit. The Downtown Partnership & Kwame are the ones who had to convince Penske to go after the race. Regardless, I agree that the paving looks horrible, however, I'm trying to hold back judgement until the landscaping is complete, which could make a huge difference. As for the location, it definitely doesn't improve the entrance to the park, but I'm glad they did not disturb any natural areas, or displace or move any existing structures, or monuments. These plan have been public knowledge for months, so there is no excuse to claim lack of notice. And maybe the community groups/leaders didn't make a big stink about this because they realize the benefits of hosting a premeir event of this level. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 976 Registered: 03-2006 |
I'm sure it full-filled a lot of fantasies when it left the island. | ||
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1 Post Number: 9264 Registered: 10-2003 |
quote: Or they were more concerned with neighborhood improvements, community policing, citizen patrols, infill housing, improving businesses, etc. I doubt too many community groups would care or really for that matter should care. I agree about waiting until the final landscaping is done. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 977 Registered: 03-2006 |
 UGLY. UGLY. UGLY. I used to think Penske was alright in a region of such hatred and un-cooperation but not any more. I don't know what amount of container plants and landscaping can save us from this concrete desert. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 978 Registered: 03-2006 |
You would think Friends of Belle Isle would care. Apparently not. No mention on their web site at all. At least I couldn't find a single mention of the Grand Prix. | ||
Diggelicious Member Username: Diggelicious Post Number: 59 Registered: 08-2005 |
susanarosa, thank you for calling out morons on this board. detroitnerd/eastsidedog, i know you two are pissed, after you unbunch your panties, please then do something productive for the city rather than whining on a message board. Your whining does not help anyone, it is useless, no one cares about your useless opinions. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 979 Registered: 03-2006 |
Diggelicious, you don't know two shits about me or what i've done for the city. Check yourself. | ||
Diggelicious Member Username: Diggelicious Post Number: 60 Registered: 08-2005 |
i have checked myself. I am looking pretty fine. Not complaining about a 10 acre paved lot on a 683 acre island that will bring people into the city. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 989 Registered: 07-2004 |
Gistok: Like I said, pave over the whole thing. If you want to leave Frederick Law Olmsted's 20 percent, you may. More concrete! More and more concrete! More cars going fast! More racing! I love parks most for the fast cars racing on concrete. That's the MOST. Susanarosa: Do you think I'm blaming you or something? I don't get your tone. As for being "ignorant" -- we all are to some extent. Nothing to be ashamed of, as long as there's a desire to learn. Make a list of everything you know. Now make a list of everything you don't know. Which list is longer? We're almost all equal in that regard. | ||
Eastsidedog Member Username: Eastsidedog Post Number: 980 Registered: 03-2006 |
Back to doing real things to improve the city. I have a community garden to work on. Bye bye. | ||
Detroitnerd Member Username: Detroitnerd Post Number: 991 Registered: 07-2004 |
Haha, Diggelicious. That kind of post is so 1999. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 4452 Registered: 08-2004 |
Alright... everyone go to their corner for a time out... Eastsidedog, I tend to agree that it is surprising that the Friend's of Belle Isle didn't make a stink. Unless they were given a presentation about what positives will come out of this. If every last penny of the profits go to fixing up Belle Isle, and the projected profits (which we are not privy to) are substantial over many years, then it may outweigh the negatives. I don't think that ANY of us on this forum like the look of it. It's that some of us have already simmered down over it since it's old news to those that were at the Forum Picnic, and saw it first hand since we were picnicing nearby. | ||
Angry_dad Member Username: Angry_dad Post Number: 148 Registered: 02-2006 |
How dare anybody do anything on that jewel of Detroit. I really like how the perspective of the photo has misled some. Is a double digit percentage of the island now paved? Absolutely not. But are the broken down pavillions still there? You bet. I dare say if an arial photo from an opposite direction was posted, the stink here would be non existant. | ||
Eastsideal Member Username: Eastsideal Post Number: 205 Registered: 10-2007 |
Hey, now that (after only 2 years) we're no longer going to be holding an event that apparently necessitated the paving over of one of the prettiest spots in the City of Detroit for a single weekend of fun, can Mr. Penske please send a few of his guys down to chip up this hideous ugliness he left us? |
