4.04.07
Detroit DDA OKs $95,000 to tear down Ilitch-owned building
By Robert Ankeny
The Detroit Downtown Development Authority Wednesday authorized a $95,000 grant for an Ilitch Holdings L.L.C. company to demolish of the former Vermont Hotel at 138 Columbia, just west of Park Avenue.
The five-story building which formerly housed Haven Community Mission, was bought by Olympia Development of Michigan L.L.C. in 2001.
It is northwest of Grand Circus Park, behind the Fox Theatre, with much of the surrounding property owned by the Ilitches, who own the Detroit Red Wings.
Ilitch Holdings President Chris Ilitch said last year that company is studying whether to make major improvements at Joe Louis Arena or to plan construction of a new home for the Wings. There has been considerable speculation that a new arena could built in the area northwest of Grand Circus Park where the Vermont is to be demolished.
Karen Cullen, Ilitch Holdings vice president for communications, issued the follow statement in response to questions about planning for a hockey arena:
"Our organization is continuing to evaluate all options -- from a remodel of Joe Louis Arena to the building of a new arena at a new location. We have not made a final decision at this time. This is obviously a large and important project and proper evaluation is required. When we have a final decision and something to announce we will do so. All options and locations are still being studied.
Relative to the demolition of 138 W. Columbia, our organization continues to move forward in making improvements to the Foxtown Neighborhood. With the Fox Theatre, Comerica Park, our headquarters operations, soon-to-be renovated Detroit Life Building, Hockeytown Cafe and the numerous other businesses in and around us, we are continually looking for opportunities to make it a pleasant, clean and safe environment for visitors, colleagues and local residents.
The building at 138 W. Columbia is in disrepair and cannot be renovated. To meet the above stated goals for our neighborhood, demolition is the best answer."
Scott Veldhuis, project manager for the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., which staffs the DDA, said the $95,000 demolition grant will come from the DDA’s building demolition program fund of $8 million that came from the state of Michigan.
Detroit-based Adamo Demolition Co. was low bidder at $77,800, with additional costs for environmental remediation and consulting fees.
The fund has already been used to demolish two other downtown buildings. One was at 150 Michigan Ave., where a parking garage is to be built for the renovated Westin Book Cadillac Detroit. The other, at 281 Gratiot, was a vacant night club between Broadway and Randolph at the entrance to Harmonie Park.
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070404/REG/70404005&template=printart
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