Originally Posted 4/23/08
Updated 6/29/08
Updated 7/9/08
Lost in yesterday’s big news regarding the proposed rail system was another inch forward towards the demolition of Tiger Stadium. “Detroit’s Economic Development Corp., a quasi-public arm of the city, awarded the demolition contract to a joint venture of MCM Management Corp. of Bloomfield Hills and The Farrow Group of Detroit.” (John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press).
I drive by “the old ballpark” occasionally (well just to get a burrito in Mexican town most Tuesdays), and with every pass by the corner of Michigan and Trumbull my memories of the events that took place there fade further away. However, I’m not writing my first post on Detroit Army because I want to reminisce. That is not what we are about.
After reading Detroit Army and reflecting on the comments by its readers, I realize that we all want to move forward, and part of moving forward, is leaving behind the past. While the idea of saving a corner of the existing structure would be a deserving tribute to the greats that roamed the field for over a century, it would be another contributing factor adding to an already complicated, costly and tumultuous process. I’m not saying throw the idea out completely, but we should not let our fondness for our past detract from our future once again.
Anonymous
See John Gallagher’s article about the project below.
Group lobbies to save part of Tiger Stadium after Detroit awards demolition contract
Update 6/29/08
On June 25, 2008, Mike Hicks of the Detroit News writes that the preparation for Tiger Stadium's long awaited demolition has begun.
"MCM Management Corp. of Bloomfield Hills and Farrow Group of Detroit have started the process of obtaining permits to raze the stadium and sell parts for scrap, according to the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. The city's quasi-public agency handles development and is executing a plan approved by the City Council and Mayor Kilpatrick."
On the other hand,
"Kilpatrick set an Aug. 1 deadline for the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy Group, which has said was enough time to prove it has a $12 million to $15 million financial plan to save the baseball diamond, 3,000 seats and an area that would house Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell's sports memorabilia collection, some of which is now at the main Detroit Public Library."
(Mike Hicks/Detroit News
It's unclear whether the conservancy will be able to come up with the money in time, but it is worth noting that the conservancy group finally has a website up and running which states that "The reports of Tiger Stadium’s demise are greatly exaggerated." I don't know if they know something that we don't, but it's clear that they do not have the money to move forward with their project yet as they have consistently missed deadlines set for them. Additionally, considering that the Tigers moved out of Tiger Stadium eight years ago, to put it mildly, the website campaign seems oddly late to the party.
Tiger Stadium Conservancy
Update 7/9/08
"This time, it has really, really started."
"Ferocious-looking stadium-demolishing machines are ripping apart the wall and everything behind it on the north side of the stadium, near the Fisher Freeway service drive, along what used to be called Kaline Drive. In baseball terms, that would be the area between the centerfield bleachers and the left-field seats."
(Bill McGraw/Detroit Free Press)
Tiger Stadium's demise assaults senses
Tiger Stadium walls are coming down
Tiger Stadium turning to dust
Tiger Stadium's outfield walls begin coming down
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2 comments:
Give old Ernie Harwell a break.... Of course he is late to the party, he is 93 years old. Even though the demolition fences already have been put up around the stadium, considering how everything in this city always moves so fast, I'd say the stadium will be knocked down by August 1, 2010.
http://detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080701/BIZ/807010340
I hate to say it, but I put my foot in my mouth. For the past few months I was certain it was time for the decrepit building to go; however, now that the first hole has been punched through the building, I'm actually feeling a bit sentimental.
The old ballpark represented a time where not a sole could imagine what surrounds it today. That 100 year old monument was more than just a field; it was a place where Detroiters, black and white, gathered to celebrate together and loudly confess our love for the city. Today we are at a loss for things to be proud about in the city.
The freepress ran a story today about the possible end of the city, referencing the mayoral scandal, the public school financing debacle and the budget crisis. These are bad signs, but as the freep story concluded with some positive notes, so will this comment.
Detroit has faced a number of serious problems and has found a way to create solutions to such problems for over 300 years. This is not the end, rather only a beginning. The demolition illustrates positive progression. Tiger stadium will not be forgotten, and Detroit will continue to celebrate its great history as it finds a way to stay a relevant and influential major city.
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