While there were many proposals tossed around to redevelop the stadium into a mixed-use residential/retail complex, the city has now received figures for demolition of the 89-year-old stadium.
Sylvia Crawford, a city of Detroit spokeswoman, says the estimates the city has received to tear down the park are between $2 to $6 million.
"These weren't official bids to demolish the structure, we just were interested at what costs would be involved if it came to that," Crawford says. "Demolition has always been an option. We can't just let the building sit and become dilapidated."
Soon after the park closed for good in September 1999, the city put out a request for proposals for the majority of the stadium to be converted into loft apartments, condominiums, and retail space, with approximately 8,000 seats remaining. The plans included recreation centers, a swimming pool and ice skating rinks.
However, every plan that has come in has come up short, Crawford tells GlobeSt.com.
"There just hasn't been a proposal that has demonstrated a capacity to do a development that would be consistent with the needs of the community," she says.
Crawford says the city is in talks with another developer for the site, but she would not elaborate on what the company's name is, or what the plans would entail.
"We're engaged in discussions, but I can't say for what. The proposal has not been evaluated fully, but it would be a mixed-use project," she adds.
She explains the city staff is going to evaluate the different redevelopment scenarios, including demolition, and present a report to the mayor's office by December. The city will have a new mayor by then, as current Mayor Dennis Archer is stepping down.
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