It's Cold, but the Sun Helps

View of Detroit from Belle Isle

Although it was frighteningly cold today, I couldn't help but take a quick jaunt over to Belle Isle to take a few pictures. Enjoy!


A View of Detroit's East Riverfront


The Renaissance Center from Belle Isle

Greektown Casino to Add More Parking

Greektown Casino

Gamblers going to Greektown Casino may have a pleasant surprise in store for them if the casino gets permission to build a new $10 million parking garage within a half-block of the structure.

Greektown Casino, the last of the three Detroit Casinos to be built, has no central parking structure; instead, its spots are scattered in a variety of lots, each a few blocks away. Compared to Motor City and MGM, who each have structures adjacent to their facilities, Greektown gamblers are forced to either park and walk to the building or to valet park, both of which are time-consuming and inconvenient for casino-goers.

Lagging behind Detroit's two other casinos in revenue for 2004, this article in the Detroit News stated that Greektown execs believe that the only way for the casino to stop losing marketshare is to provide more convenient parking for its customers.

If approved, Greektown's developers want to build a 650-space garage at the corners of Beaubien and East Fort. While the parking spaces will only be used for valet services of Greektown, its execs believe that it will drastically shorten the length of time customers wait for their vehicles. In addition, more customers will be able to utilize the casino's valet service.

Greektown currently has 4,550 parking spaces, but they are not all located in the same place.

Opera House Garage Demolition Going Smoothly

On my way into the Detroit Opera House for a dance production last Tuesday night, I noticed that the demolition of the once-hazardous Detroit Opera House Garage appears to be moving along quite nicely.

Don't get me wrong - I am all for preserving those buildings that are preservable. If you had been in the O.H. Garage before its demolition began, though, you and I know both know that this was a structure that could not be saved. The last time I was in it - which was early-December of 2003 - I felt like it might begin crumbling at any moment. Not to mention the fact that the garage's ramps were incredibly narrow and came down so low they seemed as though they would rip off the roof of your car!

Originally named the Hudson's Shoppers' Garage when it was constructed in 1950, the building's usefulness and safety factors have been outdated for a long time. Thanks to the wonderful Dr. David DiChiera, the man behind the Detroit Opera House, the new Detroit Opera House Parking Structure will feature seven levels, and will actually have entrance and corresponding exit points at both John R. Road and Grand River Avenue.

The new structure is set to open in Fall 2005. Until then, I would suggest parking right across the street from the DOH, in the lot to the left of the Madison Building. It is well-lit and reasonably priced (depending on when you are there).

For more information on the parking structure or the Detroit Opera House, please visit: http://www.motopera.org.

8 Mile Rocks on VH-1 Today

The Real 8 Mile Road

As the newest addition to VH-1's clever "Movies that Rock" campaign, 8 Mile - starring the ever-controversial, musical genius, Eminem - will make its network television debut this afternoon.

Having personally seen the movie four or five times, it's hard to believe that I uncover new Detroit nuances and scenery each time I watch it. Remember those picture games you used to play as a kid where you had to pick out the hidden items? That's what it's like for me when I watch 8 Mile. Here is a list of physical places in Detroit that are featured in the movie:

1. Michigan Theater parking structure: The site of the night-time rap battles amongst Rabbit and the evil players in the movie - known as the Leaders of the Free World - this once-beautiful building that used to be the Michigan Theater is located near Grand River and Bagley.

2. Intermezzo Restaurant: The place where Brittany Murphy's character, Alex, waitresses is actually an eatery in Detroit's historic Harmonie Park district.

3. Chin Tiki: The old Polynesian club located on Cass Avenue is featured in the movie as a latenight hangout, although it hasn't been open for 20 years.

4. Penobscot Building: Rabbit's character enters the Detroit architectural wonder on his way to the WJLB studio, which is one of the most popular radiostations in Detroit.

5. St. Andrew's Hall/the Shelter: Although the main rap-battle venue in the movie is called the Shelter, it was actually based on Detroit's St. Andrews Hall (which contains an area called the Shelter) which is located downtown. St. Andrews was once an Irish church, but now serves as a club and concert venue.


The Real St. Andrews Hall, where the Shelter is located

6. New Center Stamping: Called the Detroit Stamping Plant in 8 Mile, New Center Stamping is a metal plant located in Detroit's New Center area at East Milwaukee and Hastings.

7. 19th Hole Penthouse Golf Club: Seen from the bus window as Rabbit goes to work, the 19th Hole is located on Chene between Garfield and Warren. As depicted in the movie, the 19th Hole is abandoned and in shambles.

If you're at all familiar with Detroit, I highly suggest seeing 8 Mile (or viewing it again) and looking for other local items that are discreetly weaved into the entire movie. VH-1 will be showing an encore presentation tonight at 9:00 pm.

New Sequencing Plant Opened in Detroit

Yesterday, Crown Enterprises, Inc., and TDS/US., Inc., opened a new sequencing plant in Detroit.

The new 365,000-square foot facility - which was developed and is owned by Warren-based Crown Enterprises - is located across the street from Detroit-based Chrysler Jefferson North plant.

Operated by TDS/US, the new plant will employ 210 workers, who will assist in the production of 1100 Jeep Cherokees per day.

DaimlerChrysler's Jefferson North Assembly Plant was built in 1991 and produced the first Grand Cherokee in 1992. The plant currently employs more than 2,400 people.