St. Josephat Catholic Church

St. Josaphat Catholic Church

Highly visible from I-75, the Victorian-styled St. Josaphat Church has been a staple on East Canfeld and since 1893.

Constructed during the late 1800s for the vastly emerging Polish population within the area, the church was replaced in 1901 with a new church, rectory, and convent - all whih were designed by Detroit architects Joseph Kastler and William E.N. Hunter.


At one point while driving down I-75 southbound, the main spire
of the church lines up perfectly with the tall tower of the Renaissance Center

The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and proclaimed as a Michigan historic landmark in 1985.

In 2004, Cardinal Adam Maida allowed St. Josaphat's priests to begin performing the Tridentine, a pre-Vatican II mass in which everything is cited in Latin and the priests conduct the mass with their backs to the audience.

The authorization of this rare, traditional Latin mass by Cardinal Maida was a last-ditch effort to save St. Josaphat's, which was in danger of closing. As of today, the beautiful church is still open and is thriving.

Detroit featured in new game by 'Grand Theft Auto' makers

When "Midnight Club Three" debuts on April 12, Detroiters may be surprised to see that scenes from their own backyards are featured in the game.

According to WOODTV.com, downtown streets and popular local landmarks like Comerica Park serve as backdrops for the game, which is the newest edition to the Grand Theft Auto series.

Although the Grand Theft's have all been criticized for high levels of violence, WOODTV.com states that "Midnight Club Three" is surprisingly non-violent.

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.