Several other property owners present obstacles to Ilitch plans for Foxtown hockey arena

Ilitch Holdings, Inc. apparently has yet to take control of three properties fronting Cass Avenue between W. Montcalm Street and W. Columbia Street in the Foxtown area of downtown Detroit. Ilitch entities control the properties on the west side of Cass Avenue including the former Chin Tiki bar and restaurant used in the Eminem film "8 Mile," the historic Detroit Moose Lodge and the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Noble Mythic Shrine.

The properties noted as #201, #202 & #203 in the graphic below combined with parcels controlled by Freda Alibri, #180, form the better part of almost 1 square block in an area predominately controlled by various Ilitch enterprises and located behind the Ilitch-owned Fox Theater. Speculative reports have suggested the area behind the Fox Theater could possibly be the site of a new hockey arena to replace Detroit's Joe Louis Arena.

click graphic for detailed map

Ilitch controls Cass Avenue LLC; and what about Cass Avenue Development properties

John Kotlar, Vice President of Tax Affairs at Ilitch Holdings, Inc. is the registered agent of record with the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DL&EG) for an entity known as Cass Avenue, LLC. Kotlar is also agent of record for Ilitch Holdings, Inc. and Ilitch-owned Olympia Development of Michigan LLC.

An entity recorded as Cass Avenue Development -- but not registered with the Michigan DL&EG -- holds title to at least 8 parcels (see below) in downtown Detroit near the historic Detroit Masonic Temple. The parcels encompass nearly two square blocks. (see map)

click graphic for larger view

Is Cass Avenue Development a d/b/a for Ilitch-controlled Cass Avenue, LLC; although no entity by that name is registered as such with the DL&EG.

It has been reported that Ilitch Holdings, Inc. (Olympia Entertainment) has been in negotiations to take over the management of Detroit's Masonic Temple Theater, currently under management of Nederlander Co. LLC.

MAP of properties controlled by Cass Avenue Development.

Will Ilitch build hockey arena on site of Berry Gordy's failed Motown entertainment complex

12.04.07

Motown entertainment complex plans fall through
Berry Gordy's group couldn't raise money to build $28M facility north of the Fox Theatre.

Robert Snell / The Detroit News

...Hockey arena a possibility?

The three Woodward properties faced foreclosure April 1, 2008, because Motown Center owed about $14,000 in unpaid property taxes dating to 2005, according to the Wayne County Treasurer's office.

The back taxes were paid Nov. 29, days after The Detroit News first called Heidelberg-Yopp, asking about the delinquency.

The Woodward land could be combined with the other parcels owned by the Economic Development Corp. and the city, and sold to a developer, Papapanos said.

The city and the Detroit Economic Development Corp. own about half of the land within the first four blocks north of I-75, between Woodward and Park.

But the cost of acquiring other parcels and offering the space for one development has been too expensive, said Brian Holdwick, the growth corporation's vice president of business and financial services.

The city has marketed some of its land to prospective developers, perhaps for a mixed-use development, Holdwick said. The nearly four-block area has been called an ideal spot for a new Detroit Red Wings hockey arena according to one development expert. But Ilitch Holdings spokeswoman Karen Cullen declined to discuss specific locations for a new arena.

One development official suspects the land would give Mike and Marian Ilitch, owners of the Red Wings, an option other than building behind the Fox Theatre, where the family empire has acquired a wide swath of land.

"Ilitch always has two or three areas (in mind) to stay ahead of the speculators," said Patrick Dorn, executive director of the Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corp. "You can't get a better, sweeter spot for an arena," than the Motown Center land and surrounding properties.

Cullen acknowledges the company is considering more than one location. She was unaware of the Motown Center property, but wouldn't rule it out.

"In the broadest sense, I don't want to get into various sites," she said. "We haven't made a decision on the arena and are still considering all of our options, both whether to renovate (Joe Louis Arena) or build new."

James Canning, spokesman for Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, has not heard of any city effort to offer the land to Ilitch for a new hockey arena.

"It's a great parcel of land and our development guys will go out and market it," Canning said.

Though the Motown project won't be built, Canning said: "We have an awesome Motown museum (on West Grand Boulevard). The community needs to continue to embrace that location."

You can reach Robert Snell at (313) 222-2028 or rsnell@detnews.com.

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071204/ENT04/712040388/1424/ENT04

Detroiters hoping Ilitches will adopt their neighborhood too

8.28.07

Hope for Cass Corridor
Ilitch takeover of Masonic Temple may spur development of decaying area

Robert Snell and Louis Aguilar / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- Ilitch Holdings Inc.-- the billion-dollar family empire of sports, entertainment, pizza and real estate in downtown Detroit -- hopes to venture into a long-abandoned stretch of the city: the Cass Corridor.

Ilitch's Olympia Entertainment is negotiating to take control of the iconic Masonic Temple, a city landmark mired in so much debt its owners, the Masons, face losing the building. The deal could be announced within a week to 10 days, said Bill Betz, president of the Masonic Temple Association, which would continue to own the 16-story landmark.

An Ilitch-run Masonic could be an energizing development for an area trapped in poverty and decay, according to city, business and neighborhood officials. It is the one spot left in the city core that could most benefit from a business titan who revived the Fox Theatre area 20 years ago, they say.

A Masonic deal could be transformational, Betz said.

"In five years -- the whole neighborhood -- you won't recognize it," he said.

Security and money from entrepreneurs willing to back projects near an Ilitch endeavor will likely follow the Little Caesars Pizza owner into "the Corridor," developers and city officials said.

Ilitch Holdings spokeswoman Karen Cullen would only say "discussions are continuing."

For now, though, much of the Cass Corridor looks forgotten and mean. Across from the Masonic is Cass Avenue Park, where on a recent afternoon a group of bare-shirted men with grocery carts full of personal belongings sat in a circle, sharing a bottle wrapped in a paper bag.

'Lots of things happen'
The Ilitches would not be the first major players to enter the Corridor, specifically the southern part, defined by Cass Avenue between the 1-75 service drive and Martin Luther King Boulevard. Other influential developers have purchased blighted properties with intentions to restore them to housing and small businesses, adding to the few already there. There's a dog day care center and renovated housing that advertises DSL access.

"Obviously a lot needs to be turned around down there," said George Jackson, president of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the quasi-public city agency promoting Detroit development. "But it's the logical place for growth if you want what's happening in Midtown to merge with all the growth that's going on downtown.

"With the Ilitches jumping in there, it becomes very interesting. Because when they set up shop in an area, lots of things happen."

One thing that could happen is the Masonic becomes a solid, steady venue for entertainment again.

But only after the Ilitches pay off the Masonic's outstanding bills, Betz said.

The Masonic association's debt grew in recent years as other Masonic organizations relocated from the Gothic-style building to the suburbs and entertainment bookings plummeted.

The association, which would still own the building under the deal that's being negotiated, owes about $242,000 in delinquent property taxes and unpaid water and sewer bills, and faces possible foreclosure in March.

There are parallels between the Masonic venture and Ilitch's work over the past 20 years that created a sprawling sports and entertainment district along Woodward just south of Cass Corridor across I-75. And while the company has similar deals with Cobo Center, Joe Louis Arena and Comerica Park, all of which they do not own, the company essentially controls all commercial business at those locations and reaps the revenue.


Slide worsened in 1980s
In the 1970s, the Cass Corridor was filled with Appalachian families and still had an area called Chinatown, said Patrick Dorn, executive director of the Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corporation, which rehabilitates and builds affordable housing nearby.

Those with enough money left and the neighborhood started to decay once property owners started selling to negligent owners, Dorn said. The slide worsened in the 1980s when the city made the area home to social service providers such as homeless shelters.

"That was the finishing touch," Dorn said.

"Whenever you have isolationism where there's nobody there, except people you wouldn't want to meet in the dark, you're not going to be the first one to put money in."

The neighborhood is exceedingly poor, especially compared to the rest of the city. Median household income is $8,317, far below the city's median household income of $29,526, according to the U.S. Census.

It is the second poorest census tract in the city, and arguably the poorest populated area.

Joel Landy, a 30-year resident of the Cass Corridor, says he's been a part of more than $20 million in investments there and he intends to invest at least that much in the near future. He owns more than 45 properties ranging from small storefronts to multiple housing units to empty lots.

On a recent drive through Cass Corridor, Landy pointed out brothels and drug havens as well as restored buildings and new retailers.

"It looks pretty tough but there's so much opportunity and many beautiful buildings. I welcome the Ilitches because they've been a great force. I just hope they look around the area and notice what else needs to be done in the area," Landy said.

Other prominent developers such as Dwight Belyue have also recently purchased properties in Cass Corridor the past few years. "You know, when the Ilitches set up shop in the Fox, that area didn't look all that different from Cass Corridor," Belyue said, who owns the Belmar Development Group. He and Seattle developer Mike Dunne bought three apartment complexes on the corner of Cass and the I-75 service drive that were known crack and prostitute dens.

Betz, the Masonic president, said a deal to transfer management of the Masonic is imminent, though he refuses to identify Ilitch by name despite a Ilitch Holdings representative confirming the company is in negotiations.

"All the pieces of the puzzle, I believe, are in place," Betz said.

The temple has two theaters, which seat 4,400 people and about 1,550, respectively. A third theater sits unfinished on the temple's seventh floor.

There also are two massive ballrooms that host weddings and meetings, and a vacant 10-story office tower that could house lofts or apartments, Betz said.

You can reach Robert Snell at (313) 222-2028 or rsnell@detnews.com

More on talks for Ilitch to take over world's largest Masonic Temple & Theater

6.20.07

Olympia Entertainment continues talks for Masonic Temple shows

By Bill Shea

No agreement is imminent, but Olympia Entertainment remains in talks with the owners of the financially strapped Detroit Masonic Temple to book shows and concerts at the historic venue.

Negotiations have been on and off for several months, said Karen Cullen, vice president of corporate communications for Ilitch Holdings Inc., which includes Olympia along with Little Caesars Pizza, the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings, Fox Theater, Comerica Park, Cobo Hall and Joe Louis Arena.

Details of the talks remain private, Cullen said.

The 14-story temple, which includes the 4,404-seat Masonic Temple Theater, opened in 1926 at 500 Temple Ave. in the Cass Corridor and is the largest Masonic Temple in the world.

The theater currently is managed by the Nederlander Organization, which owns the Fisher Theater. However, Nederlander has said it will no longer book events at the temple after this year.

The building’s owner, the Masonic Temple Association, owes the city back taxes and utility bills and could face foreclosure. The temple association has said it will not sell the building, but will look for a deal that will allow it to pay its bills.

TheMasonic.com

Faded Detroit: Ilitch Blocker

CC Bar is located at the corner of Cass Ave. and W. Columbia St. in the Foxtown neighborhood of downtown Detroit. It's surrounded by properties controlled by Ilitch Holdings, Inc. subsidiary Olympia Development or its affiliates. There's speculation Mike Ilitch desires to build a new Hockey Arena in this section of Detroit.

posted at Faded Detroit:

Ilitch Blocker

"The CC Bar was completely demolished except for two exterior walls prior to the new construction (he's got pictures on his actual website) seen below.

So question is why rebuild almost completely from the ground up on a site that is almost certainly within the footprint of a new arena? Is the intention to rake in the cash from the foot traffic created by a new arena, or is the idea to put up some cheap construction in order to raise the property value in advance of an impending land grab? Either way it appears that the owners are trying to stick it to Mr. Mike."

Now Ilitches, Promoter refuse to talk to reporter they previously mislead

5.26.07

Ilitches buy Moose building
Downtown property is in area in which family is rumored to be considering building hockey arena.

Louis Aguilar / The Detroit News

The Ilitch family, owners of a downtown Detroit empire of professional sport teams and entertainment venues, have taken ownership of another empty building in an area of downtown being considered for a new home of the Ilitch-owned Detroit Red Wings.

In February, Atanas Ilitch, president of Ilitch Holding's Olympia Development LLC real estate arm, gained the deed for the empty Loyal Order of Moose building at Cass Avenue and Elizabeth Street along with John Kotlar, Ilitch Holdings vice-president, according to the Wayne County Register of Deeds.

Earlier this week, veteran music promoter Blair McGowan said he and fellow promoter Amir Daiza still owned the building and the Ilitches did not. Ilitch Holdings spokeswoman Karen Cullen said at the time she was unaware of the details of the building, a position she repeated Friday.

The warranty deed lists Moose Building LLC as the building owners. State records show the Atanas Ilitch and Kotlar are behind the Moose Building LLC, which the two formed in February.

McGowan did not return repeated phone calls Friday from The Detroit News. Daiza referred all questions back to McGowan.

The historic building is next to the former Chin Tiki, recently bought by Olympia for Ilitch Holdings, owners of the Little Caesars Pizza chain, the Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Hockeytown Cafe and Fox Theatre.

The Moose lodge is three blocks west of the Fox Theatre headquarters of Ilitch Holdings in a blighted 15-block area the Ilitches view as a potential major hub of entertainment, sports and retail.

The Ilitches also recently won the right to renovate the city-owned Grand Army of Republic building, which is bounded by the three-way intersection of Cass, Grand River and West Adams. It's a block away from the Moose building.

The flurry of activity comes at a time when the Ilitch family is fast approaching a deadline on whether to build a hockey venue or renovate Joe Louis Arena.

The Ilitches' lease on the city-owned riverfront arena expires in 2009.

You can reach Louis Aguilar at (313) 222-2760 or laguilar@detnews.com.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070526/BIZ/705260360

You may also want to review these posts:
--The Verifiable Truth:

• State Subsidizing Plans for Detroit Hockey Arena
• Blogger questions Detroit Arena assumptions
• As most of Michigan continues to struggle financially, 11 make Forbes List of World's Richest Billionaires
• Taxpayers give Ilitch $95,000 to tear down his building
• City Sells Historic Building to Ilitch for $220,500
• Ilitch has an insatiable appetite for land in downtown Detroit; see Live.com map of all 170 properties
• Contractors at work on MotorCity Casino have experience with MGM/Mirage & Mandalay Resorts
• Has Illitch acquired the historic Moose Lodge in downtown Detroit, and what are his intentions?
• Demolition Crew working on site at Detroit's United Artists Theater Building
• Spin about Moose Lodge isn't truthful; reporter was mislead

Posts at other webs & blogs ...

• Flickr: Moose Lodge
• Faded Detroit: Ilitch Blocker
• DetroitYes: Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge
• AtDetroit.net: Work has started at the Moose Lodge

Ilitch agreement requires Moose building be preserved & renovated, doesn't allow relocation

A three page document entitled 'Restrictive Covenant and Development Memorandum' and attached to property at 2115 Cass Avenue, Detroit (historic Moose Lodge) was recorded by the the Wayne County Register of Deeds on February 12, 2007 (Instrument #207064258).

This agreement was signed by Blair McGowan for Anban, Inc. and Atanas Ilitch for Moose Building LLC.

The two paragraphs at the bottom of the first page read as follows:

"The date of execution of the Restrictive Covenant and Development Agreement was February 6, 2007 and its provisions run as a binding servitude with the Land for a period of at least five (5) years and possibly longer pursuant to the terms thereof."

"The Restrictive Covenant and Development Agreement, among other things, provides for the preservation and rehabilitation of the premises, without relocation, in a manner that preserves and recognizes certain historical, cultural and esthetic value and significance of the property and the building contained thereon."

It would appear that demolition or relocation of the building are not possibilities under these terms. However, the memorandum does not detail remedies applicable if the convenants are broken.

You may also want to review these posts:
--The Verifiable Truth:

• State Subsidizing Plans for Detroit Hockey Arena
• Blogger questions Detroit Arena assumptions
• Field of Schemes: Tiger Stadium back in limbo
• Family that built fortune on Detroit Sports and Little Caesars Pizza directed $900k to these political committees while expanding gambling ventures
• As most of Michigan continues to struggle financially, 11 make Forbes List of World's Richest Billionaires
• Taxpayers give Ilitch $95,000 to tear down his building
• City Sells Historic Building to Ilitch for $220,500
• Supreme Court ruled against Ilitch eminent domain scheme
• Ilitch has an insatiable appetite for land in downtown Detroit; see Live.com map of all 170 properties
• Contractors at work on MotorCity Casino have experience with MGM/Mirage & Mandalay Resorts
• Has Illitch acquired the historic Moose Lodge in downtown Detroit, and what are his intentions?
• Demolition Crew working on site at Detroit's United Artists Theater Building
• Spin about Moose Lodge isn't truthful; reporter was mislead

Spin about Moose Lodge isn't truthful; reporter was mislead

NOTE: this story appeared in today's Detroit News but it appears representatives for the Ilitch Family (they formed Moose Building LLC on February 5, 2007) and the promoters who perviously owned Detroit's Moose Lodge Building weren't honest with reporter Louis Aguilar since documents filed February 12 and February 19 with the Wayne County Register of Deeds indicate the parties had entered into an agreement and then transferred title on the property to Moose Building LLC.

Ilitches may add to monopoly [have added]
Real estate arm eyes Moose Lodge, which may be another step toward new hockey arena.

Louis Aguilar / The Detroit News

The Ilitch family, owners of a downtown Detroit empire of professional sport teams and entertainment venues, continues to expand its control over a patch of land being considered for a new hockey arena.

The Ilitch's Olympia Development LLC real estate arm, which has already gained control of most of the land behind the Fox Theatre, is now turning its attention to the empty Loyal Order of Moose building at Cass Avenue and Elizabeth Street.

They haven't bought the building but appear poised to get a piece of the action if two veteran music promoters carry through on their promise of turning the building into a 1,500-capacity club and live music venue.

The historic building is next door to the former Chin Tiki, recently bought by Olympia for Ilitch Holdings, owners of the Little Caesars Pizza chain, the Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, Hockeytown Cafe and Fox Theatre. Now Olympia Development President Atanas Ilitch has formed Moose Building LLC with another Olympia executive.

Atanas Ilitch was unavailable for comment and a spokesman declined to say why Ilitch and John Kotlar, Ilitch Holdings' vice president of tax affairs, have formed a corporation named after a building they do not own. [Kotlar and Atanas Ilitch formed the company Feb 5, 2007]

The best explanation could be found in the first three rules of real estate: location, location, location.

The Moose lodge is three blocks west of the Fox Theatre headquarters of Ilitch Holdings, in a blighted 15-block area the Ilitches view as a potential major hub of entertainment, sports and retail.

Clubs like the Town Pump, Centaur and Park Bar are in the area, which spans the Fisher Freeway service drive to Grand Circus Park.

The Ilitches also recently won the right to renovate the city-owned Grand Army of Republic building, which is bounded by the three-way intersection of Cass, Grand River and West Adams. It's a block away from the Moose building.

All that activity has allowed the Ilitches to stitch together enough properties to create a nearly open four-block swath of land directly behind the Fox Theatre big enough to house a new hockey stadium.

The flurry of activity comes at a time when the Ilitch family is fast approaching a deadline on whether to build a hockey venue or renovate the Joe Louis Arena. The Ilitches' lease on the city-owned riverfront arena expires in 2009. Mike Ilitch, co-founder of the Little Caesars Pizza chain that started it all, has hinted he prefers building a new arena near the Fox Theatre.

One sports economist estimates a new facility would bring the Red Wings at least $10 million in additional revenue each year from naming rights and luxury box sales alone.

The Ilitches have not made a decision, said Ilitch Holdings spokeswoman Karen Cullen.

"I know what it looks like, but, believe me, stranger things have happened," Cullen said. "We're still exploring both a remodel of the Joe Louis Arena and a new site. We are looking at a variety of options."

The Loyal Order of Moose building is [was] owned by two prominent music promoters and club owners. Blair McGowan, one of the co-owners, said he was unaware Olympia Development had formed a corporation named after the building but seem unfazed by the most recent move by the Ilitches. [McGowan's company entered into an agreement with Moose Buliding LLC filed Feb. 2, 2007 witih Wayne County Register of Deeds]

"We've talked to them a lot about the building and our plans," said McGowan, whose family once owned and operated St. Andrew's Hall downtown. "We're independent operators. But they're the biggest players in the world of entertainment down here. So, well, there you have it. We work with many different people."

When asked if he and his partner, Amir Daiza, are considering selling the Moose to the Ilitches, McGowan replied:

"We will never put that building in jeopardy of being demolished. And we would not like to be in a position to stop them from putting up a new hockey arena. [an agreement the parties entered into is reportedly prohibits demolition of the Moose Lodge]

"What they are doing for Detroit is fabulous,"

Detroit News Staff Writer Robert Snell contributed to this story. You can reach Louis Aguilar at (313) 222-2760 or laguilar@detnews.com.

See a map of Downtown Detroit that plots more than 160 properties owned/controlled by the Ilitch Family and other key parcels centered in Foxtown and the area surrounding MotorCity Casino.

Demolition Crew working on site at Detroit's United Artists Theater Building

Crews wearing hard hats marked Beal Inc., Demolition Contracting have been seen working at the site of the historic United Artists Theater Building at 150 Bagley Street in downtown Detroit's Grand Circus Park area. Teams from Beal Demolition have also been spotted at the historic Moose Lodge property at 2115 Cass Avenue, three blocks west of the Fox Theater in the area believed to be a potential site for a new hockey arena.

From the Beal website:

"Beal Incorporated provides demolition services, specializing in historic building renovations, for a variety of clients throughout Michigan. The company specializes in interior demolition and lead/asbestos abatement with projects sizes ranging from $10,000 to over $1,000,000. BEAL also offers a wide range of other services including; emergency services, dumpster and waste hauling, and recycling services.

"The company, formed in January 2006, is rapidly developing into one of the leading demolition service companies in the state of Michigan. BEAL Inc. is the team to call for demolition services when a client is faced with a comprehensive renovation of a historic or other complicated structure. BEAL has the best and most efficient equipment, technology, processes, and people."

If Beal stays close to its mission statement, then it would seem that the Ilitch organization (Olympia Development of Michigan LLC), may have plans to spare the building or at least some parts from the wrecking ball.

Then again, it's also possible that Beal may be undertaking asbestos abatement or something similar prior to knocking the building down.

Little has been disclosed by the Ilitch organization about their intentions for the UA Theater Building complex since a January 2006 press release announced:

"Olympia Development is teaming up with the City of Detroit to co-market the property at 150 Bagley, currently the site of the United Artists Building and Theatre, along with the property adjacent that was the former Statler Hotel site
that is now owned by the City."

Certainly that statement doesn't imply concerete plans to renovate and restore the building.

You may want to review these posts:

• State Subsidizing Plans for Detroit Hockey Arena
• Blogger questions Detroit Arena assumptions
• Field of Schemes: Tiger Stadium back in limbo
• Family that built fortune on Detroit Sports and Little Caesars Pizza directed $900k to these political committees while expanding gambling ventures
• As most of Michigan continues to struggle financially, 11 make Forbes List of World's Richest Billionaires
• Taxpayers give Ilitch $95,000 to tear down his building
• City Sells Historic Building to Ilitch for $220,500
• Supreme Court ruled against Ilitch eminent domain scheme
• Ilitch has an insatiable appetite for land in downtown Detroit; see Live.com map of all 170 properties
• Contractors at work on MotorCity Casino have experience with MGM/Mirage & Mandalay Resorts
• Has Illitch acquired the historic Moose Lodge in downtown Detroit, and what are his intentions?
• Demolition Crew working on site at Detroit's United Artists Theater Building
• Ilitch agreement requires Moose building be preserved & renovated, doesn't allow relocation
• Spin about Moose Lodge isn't truthful; reporter was mislead

Posts at other blogs ...

• Faded Detroit: Action at the UA
• Faded Detroit: Ilitch Blocker
• Faded Detroit: Detroit's Downtown Movie Palaces
• Radio Spike: Artful Abandonment
• Buildings of Detroit: United Artists Theater

Has Illitch acquired the historic Moose Lodge in downtown Detroit, and what are his intentions?

Documents available from the Wayne County Registry of Deeds suggest that Anban, Inc. (Blair McGowan) entered into an agreement with Moose Building, LLC (Ilitch controlled) regarding the historic Moose Lodge property at 2115 Cass Avenue in the Foxtown neighborhood of downtown Detroit on or about February 12, 2007.

Then one week later, on February 19, 2007 it was recorded that Anban, Inc. granted a "Warranty Deed" for the Moose Lodge property to Olympia Development of Michigan, LLC via the Ilitch controlled Moose Building, LLC.

Details of any financial arrangements are so far withheld on public documents.

Documents filed on February 5, 2007 with the Department of Labor and Economic Growth, signed by Atanas Ilitch, to establish Moose Building, LLC indicate the newly formed entity is 100% controlled by Olympia Development of Michigan, LLC.


Construction crew spotted at Moose Lodge
A blog post at detroityes.com dated May 7, 2007 states: "Just drove by and saw a crew of about 12 working on the Moose Lodge. They had a small crane in place, removing the HVAC it appeared. They were also removing what seemed to be roofing of some sort ..."


Much Speculation, Unknown Intentions
Neither the Ilitch organization nor the building's previous owners have announced what is to become of the historic building.

The Ilitch's own or control more than 160 properties in the downtown area. There has been must recent speculation about their intentions to build a new hockey arena for the Detroit Red Wings in the general area of the Moose Lodge property.

You may want to review these posts:
--The Verifiable Truth:

• State Subsidizing Plans for Detroit Hockey Arena
• Blogger questions Detroit Arena assumptions
• Family that built fortune on Detroit Sports and Little Caesars Pizza directed $900k to these political committees while expanding gambling ventures
• As most of Michigan continues to struggle financially, 11 make Forbes List of World's Richest Billionaires
• Taxpayers give Ilitch $95,000 to tear down his building
• City Sells Historic Building to Ilitch for $220,500
• Supreme Court ruled against Ilitch eminent domain scheme
• Ilitch has an insatiable appetite for land in downtown Detroit; see Live.com map of all 170 properties
• Has Illitch acquired the historic Moose Lodge in downtown Detroit, and what are his intentions?
• Demolition Crew working on site at Detroit's United Artists Theater Building

City Sells Historic Building to Ilitch for $220,500

April 6, 2007

Financial headlines

DEVELOPMENT: Olympia's Detroit building purchase OK'd

After a delay of several weeks, the Detroit City Council has approved the sale of the historic but dilapidated GAR Building to Olympia Development, an arm of the Ilitch family organization.

The council approved the sale price of $220,500 Wednesday, but Olympia is expected to invest at least $2 million to make the building usable for its own staff.

Opened in 1900, the castle-like building at Cass and Grand River was built as a meeting hall for the Grand Army of the Republic, a Civil War veterans group of Union Army soldiers. It has stood vacant for about 30 years.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070406/BUSINESS06/704060441

You may want to review these posts:
--The Verifiable Truth:

• State Subsidizing Plans for Detroit Hockey Arena
• Blogger questions Detroit Arena assumptions
• Field of Schemes: Tiger Stadium back in limbo
• Family that built fortune on Detroit Sports and Little Caesars Pizza directed $900k to these political committees while expanding gambling ventures
• As most of Michigan continues to struggle financially, 11 make Forbes List of World's Richest Billionaires
• Taxpayers give Ilitch $95,000 to tear down his building

Red Wings Owner demolishing, clearing downtown Detroit

Wayne E. Smith/ The Detroit News Crews demolish a vacant and derelict building this week at 138 W. Columbia St. that was once the Hotel Vermont. Properties controlled by Ilitch-related firms make up a nearly open swath of land in Foxtown.

Ilitches' downtown power play Will 4-block area provide home for Red Wings? Louis Aguilar / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- Ilitch Holdings Inc. is quietly increasing its control of a run-down patch of downtown long considered a potential site for a new hockey arena for the Ilitch-owned Detroit Red Wings. After decades of little activity, a rush of buying, selling and construction work is taking place in the area known as Foxtown, just west of Ilitch Holdings' Woodward Avenue headquarters at the Fox Theatre complex. This week a vacant and derelict building at 138 W. Columbia St. that was once the Hotel Vermont is being razed. One block away on the corner of Elizabeth and Clifford streets, Ilitch Holdings Vice President of Tax Affairs John Kotlar has taken ownership of a parking garage that has been vacant for decades. Kotlar purchased the structure through a company called Elizabeth Street Properties LLC. The address for the company is listed as the Fox Theatre, according to records from the Wayne County Register of Deeds. County deed records also show that Olympia Development LLC, the downtown development arm of Ilitch Holdings, now owns the former Chin Tiki at 2121 Cass Ave. The Polynesian-themed restaurant was featured in the Eminem film "8 Mile" but was shuttered in 1980. Decision Looming on Joe Lewis Arena The activity comes at a time when the Ilitch family is fast approaching a deadline on whether to build a hockey venue or renovate the Joe Louis Arena. The Ilitches' lease on the city-owned riverfront arena expires in 2009. Mike Ilitch, co-founder of the Little Caesars Pizza chain that started it all, has hinted that he prefers building a new hockey arena near the Fox Theatre. No decision has been made about whether the Wings will stay at The Joe or move to a new venue, said Karen Cullen, spokeswoman for Ilitch Holdings. "The bottom line is nothing has changed," Cullen said. "Even without an arena being built there, we care about what is over there," Cullen said. "We continue to study our options." Whatever options come up for Ilitch Holdings, there will be plenty of land to accommodate them. All told, one Ilitch-related firm or another controls a nearly open swath of land that spans four blocks containing only a few vacant buildings, a nightclub and two transient hotels. The holdings span an area from the Fisher Freeway service drive to Grand Circus Park and all the space behind the Fox Theatre. The Ilitches already have a huge presence in the area. Their Detroit Tigers play at Comerica Park across the street from the Fox Theatre. The company also owns Hockeytown restaurant on Woodward and the Detroit Life Building on Park, which the Ilitches intend to restore as a high-end residential development. Olympia Development also has big plans in the adjacent Grand Circus Park area. The company is looking for tenants for the possible redevelopment of a five-acre site that includes the United Artists Theatre building and the former Statler Hotel parcel, which is owned by the city. Olympia continues to market that site along with the city, including talking with Rock Financial/Quicken Loans about moving its headquarters there, Cullen said. Olympia is also seeking tenants for the former Madison-Lenox Hotel land, which is now a parking lot, and the Fine Arts building at 44 W. Adams, just north of Grand Circus Park. While Ilitch Holdings remains mum about its plans regarding a new home for the Red Wings, other downtown property owners say they are counting on something big. "Frankly, I think it's a logical place for a new hockey stadium" said Chuck Forbes, founder of Forbes Management whose company owns the Gem Theatre and the State Theatre just down the street from the Fox. Forbes also owns two properties on Park Avenue, the Women's City Club and the Colony Club buildings, and says he's already invested more then $700,000 in recent upgrades. "We're talking about a formidable, unique district," Forbes said. "You have top-rated theaters, professional sports stadiums, upscale nightclubs, luxury housing. We're really optimistic of the opportunities back there." Ilitch Holdings agreed the area has plenty of potential. "If there are opportunities to purchase properties that are adjacent to ours, we take a look at those properties," Cullen said. "That area is a tremendous sports and entertainment district and we are committed to seeing that develop and grow." Also near the Fox Theatre, the former C&C Bar at the corner of Cass Avenue and Columbia was partially demolished within the past month and is now being rebuilt. Ilitch Holdings does not own the property. The Joe Louis Arena opened on the Detroit riverfront in 1979 after former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young built it to keep the Red Wings from moving to Oakland County. The team was under different ownership at the time. Joe Louis is the fifth-oldest arena in the National Hockey League. A new facility would bring the Wings at least $10 million in additional revenue each year from naming rights and luxury box sales alone. http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070509/BIZ/705090380

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