11.22.07
Motor City Casino is ready to roll
New garage relieves Greektown parking woes
BY HEATHER NEWMAN
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
November is a landmark month in Detroit's casino history, as the last of its three casinos takes major steps on its journey to join the other two as city skyline eye-catchers.
In 6 days, MotorCity Casino will open the doors on its luxury hotel and brand-new gaming areas. The skyscraper taking form next to the old Wonder Bread factory has been visible on the Lodge at Grand River for months. Every week makes it clearer that the doors are about to open on a new chapter in the historic building's annals.
Recently, the last stainless-steel panels were lifted into place to complete the signature swoops of metal that top the roofline. Catch the building on a night when engineers are running the electrical system through last-minute tests and you can see the bands of neon lighting that separate and illuminate each floor.
Delays in the delivery of furnishings and the need to train employees on site pushed the MotorCity opening from Nov. 1 to Nov. 28. That date is unlikely to change, given that the hotel has been taking reservations (and the billboards around town all say "Opening in November"), so mark it on your calendar: The time to visit Detroit's newest landmark building is almost here.
Greektown celebrates
Greektown had a quiet opening a week ago that made a big difference for its customers: There's now a free, 13-story parking garage linked to the casino by an enclosed (and climate-controlled) walkway. It sits on the Lafayette Avenue exit off I-375.
Parking at the casino has been, according to both customers and casino executives, atrocious. Tucked into the lively Greektown neighborhood, the casino compromised on parking from the beginning, and street and garage spaces have been at a premium.
Once an old city garage was demolished to make way for the new casino garage, things got even more painful. Valet spaces were limited, and finding self-parking space was nearly impossible. Patrons responded by staying away, causing a dramatic dip in the casino's September income.
The new garage has most modern conveniences, including large signs that tell you how many spaces are available on each floor. But for most customers, the most convenient feature will be parking there at all.
Greektown will be the final casino to open its finished property. A 30-story hotel is being built next to and around the parking garage -- there's actually a level of the garage that sticks into the hotel space -- and you can see the rooms and suites starting to take shape now.
The finished hotel, meeting space and gaming areas will be complete by next October, though some phases will open earlier as they're completed.
MotorCity is also quick to say that its construction is happening in phases. Although Wednesday marks the grand opening of the largest part of the new complex, some areas are still being renovated. .
Last month, MGM Grand opened its nearly $800-million tower at 1777 Third Ave. downtown. It includes a luxury hotel, spa and signature restaurants from chefs Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina.
Once all three facilities are completed, the buildings will form the anchors of a triangle around downtown that will be visible from nearly anywhere in the area.
Contact HEATHER NEWMAN at 313-223-3336 or hnewman@freepress.com.
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