Critical Detroit tag:www.criticaldetroit.org,2008-08-04:/blog//1 2008-11-13T18:12:00Z engaging local architecture Movable Type Pro 4.21-en Cadillac Center Project in Danger [Updated] tag:www.criticaldetroit.org,2008:/blog//1.67 2008-10-08T11:34:20Z 2008-11-13T18:12:00Z Earlier this year, the DEGC and a New York developer, The Northern Group, announced plan for the Cadillac Centre located in the vacant block adjacent to Campus Martius.The Northern Group has missed a July 7th deadline to submit site plans,... Steve VanBrussel Cadillac CentreEarlier this year, the DEGC and a New York developer, The Northern Group, announced plan for the Cadillac Centre located in the vacant block adjacent to Campus Martius.

The Northern Group has missed a July 7th deadline to submit site plans, title review, and an environmental review.  An automatic extension to submit these item expires this coming Monday.  It appears they have also asked to offer a modified plan for the site, which I would interpret that they want to downsize the project. 

Update:  The revised plan consisted of a $40 million parking deck instead of the $150 million mixed use building.  The DEGC has refused their request to modify the plan and it appears that this deal may indeed be dead.  George Jackson, president of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, just became my favorite person in Detroit. No one wants to see a parking deck in such a prominent location.

I wasn't a big fan of this building but it would have injected a great deal of excitement into the Campus Martius area and attracted a great deal of attention to Detroit and it's architecture.View image iew image

This project was scheduled to start construction in the Fall 2009 and did manage to attract some national attention.
]]> New Blog Category - Unbuilt Detroit tag:www.criticaldetroit.org,2008:/blog//1.62 2008-10-02T12:24:40Z 2008-11-13T18:13:43Z In honor of this weeks announcement that the @Water Lofts have lost their EDC funding and approval (presumably, this project is dead), we've created a new category for our Online Guide called "Unbuilt Detroit."I'll admit that the guide is still... Steve VanBrussel @Water Lofts have lost their EDC funding and approval (presumably, this project is dead), we've created a new category for our Online Guide called "Unbuilt Detroit."

I'll admit that the guide is still undergoing massive development so it's easier to navigate, but the new category is there and the @Water Lofts is it's first entry.
]]> Paradise Valley tag:www.criticaldetroit.org,2008:/blog//1.45 2008-07-25T16:34:54Z 2008-08-04T13:29:25Z Detroit's Downtown Development Authority is moving forward with redevelopment plans of the area also known as Harmonie Park.Largely an urban revitalization project, the group hopes to create an entertainment and cultural district in the neighborhood surrounding a small park and... Steve VanBrussel Paradise Valley - Master PlanDetroit's Downtown Development Authority is moving forward with redevelopment plans of the area also known as Harmonie Park.

Largely an urban revitalization project, the group hopes to create an entertainment and cultural district in the neighborhood surrounding a small park and open space.  Initially, sidewalks, curbs, and lighting will be replaced in anticipation of future building renovation and development.

The plan is quite extensive and promises to restore what was once a culturally rich part of Detroit.  An article in Crain's actually includes some plans and a rendering of the proposed district.

Detroit DDA OKs Funds for Paradise Valley Project [ via Crain's Detroit ]

If you're unfamiliar with the history of this area, check out this great article from the Detroit News Archives:

Paradise Valley and Black Bottom [ via Detroit News ]
]]> Pinnacle Race Course tag:www.criticaldetroit.org,2008:/blog//1.24 2008-07-17T16:15:11Z 2008-08-01T17:09:35Z You may remember in late 2007 when the proposed project in Romulus to bring back horse racing in metro Detroit was canceled, but do you remember that a couple months later the founder of Republic Bancorp announced his own plans?It's... Steve VanBrussel Pinnacle Race CourseYou may remember in late 2007 when the proposed project in Romulus to bring back horse racing in metro Detroit was canceled, but do you remember that a couple months later the founder of Republic Bancorp announced his own plans?

It's already a year later and the new track will hold it's first race this Friday at 2:30 p.m.  Pinnacle will open with a temporary grandstand for 1,000 and a pavilion. Plans call for a 4,000-seat permanent grandstand and a clubhouse with nine restaurants by 2010.  Continue reading for a glimpse of the site plan showing the extent of the entertainment/retail center.

]]> Pinnacle Race Course - Site Plan]]>