RustTown

Actually the floor-to-floor is a bit over 9 feet, so the 8 feet number must be the ceiling heights.

http://www.mcintoshporis.com/lafayette.html

Thought I'd share this... In my research of Detroit architecture and development projects, I got in contact with Michael Poris of McIntosh Poris Associates. I asked him about a variety of things including whether the plans on their site for Lafayette Park were just concepts or the real deal. To my surprised, he told me that not only are the plans the real deal, but that they've already been approved/given blessing by the historic commission and city. He says what's holding up the developer (does anyone know the developers of these?) are some deed restrictions, but that they plan to move the project foward by next year. This includes the townhomes you see on their website. I've always thought Lafayette Park would be a great district to add more density to. Hopefully, if things go well, we might even see new towers. Imagine how cool that would be. He also told me about a project I have no idea about, and that is 66 new townhouses across Lafayette where Rochdale housing used to be. I'm not sure where that is but he said that he'd be before the BZA (not sure what that is) next tuesday, Aug 22, and that he'd like to see some interested Detroiter's there for support. Just passing on some info.

Nope, it was decontaminated in the summer of 2004, from my understanding, with grant funding from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). That's not what's holding up redevelopment.

Hud, Yeah, they could easily remove the watertank. Like the B.C. I think the water towers were only for the plumbing before water pumps were made effecient enough (I could be wrong). They no longer serve any purpose I'm pretty sure.

BTW, the tower at the top of the tower holds the water tank for the building.

They could make it so that there are very few units, and the ones that exist would be deep. I wonder if they could get people to pay the prices for the lofts, though, as fewer units mean higher prices? The awkward shape does make for an interesting redevelopment, but that's a building I couldn't imagine losing.

lol, I guess you were up higher than I thought, because they almost look as if they are too low. The angle and height are throwing me off. Man, I really wish the owner of the Met could get it up and running, again. It's easily one of the more unique high-rises downtown.

Nice composition, though you may want to take the fake clouds out if it. You can tell its tweaked, and the clouds so low just look a bit over the top. BTw, I know I ask this of a lot of your photos, but would you happen to have the unphotoshopped/tweaked version to view? Those are my favorites.

Central United Methodist Church by I am Jacques Strappe (http://www.flickr.com/photos/i_am_jacques_strappe/)

I highly doubt they could successfully fit the new arena on Woodward, nor do I think putting it on Woodward, if they could, would be a good thing.

That's been pretty close to my vision, too, especially the placement of the new arena. Though, I wish the whole of the Fisher through downtown could be capped to reconnect more tightly Brush Park and Cass Park to downtown. Seeing the old photos of how they once seamlessly melded into one another just looks so right.

Yeah, in fact, it you could see it under construction in another one of your recent shots taken abit to the south of the location of the one I posted.

The cranes are for the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino parking garage.

I can't believe you never posted this shot from your Flickr album, dtown: I never realized how clear the view is to the MCS. It makes a good bookend from this view, and amazing sightline. Man, I could see the lots on either side of the State as towers in the future.

I went to the website for the project. One of the FAQ's reads "If the bond issue request in August's primary election is not approved by Traverse City voters, what will happen to the Federated development?" - The development will not go forward. Looks like the end of the line unless the developer also decides to build the parking garage, which doesn't seem likely.

What's the timeline for the project? I suspect the parking garage will start later this year?

BTW, what's that cool church building on Fulton Street hill just south of Ransom Towers?

Hey, who's the developer and architect of this building?

So, the taller of the two is the city hall? I was always under the impression the shorter building was the city hall, and the taller was the county building.

Nope, the Chicago route is still open. The whole thing is always busy.

You think that's bad? Here's Lansing/East Lansing's newer station: It makes me sick how much the government has pretty much crippled passenger rail in this country between many cities. Though there was a huge drop in popularity, the government is in essence trying to kill Amtrak by neglect. The old stations here in the city were much better. Lansing Union Depot / Pere Marquette and Michigan Central Depot (now a restaurant) Lansing Grand Trunk Western Depot (vacant)

Are you talking about Grand Rapids' City Hall (3-story building that looks like a garage from this view)? It's a mural.

A cool shot of northern downtown taken this summer I found on Flickr: Barryy - http://www.flickr.com/photos/55151380@N00/

Why? Isn't the Ann Arbor to Detroit line supposed to terminate in New Center, and use the Amtrak Station/Intermodal Station in New Center if it's ever built?