Potential New Arena Discussion

[canadienhater 0]

The wings (and all Major sports teams in MI) will stay right where they are, especially with how successful they've all been most of them have been lately. The revenue that the city is bringing in is massive, even without the Joe selling out every game. I actually think I heard that in one month last year the Tigers brought more money into Detroit than the entire Superbowl week.

Also: I'm optimistic that we'll hear something about a new arena, but realistically these things are usually made public about a year before the grand opening.

does illitch own the hockeytown cafe

[vangvace 12]

does illitch own the hockeytown cafe

yup, he owns alot in the area around the fox.

Edited June 2, 2007 by vangvace

[OsGOD 3]

does illitch own the hockeytown cafe

Take a gander at all the companies he ownes down there:

http://www.ilitchholdings.com/Companiesand...25/Default.aspx

Almost all if not all of the fox theater district is his.

[Echolalia 2,961]

I don't like the idea of updating the Olympia... lets move on and get a more sleek looking design.

I really like the idea of making the new arena more than just an arena. Put some restaurants and bars and whatnot in it, some novelty shops (including a hockey pro shop), anything to make this arena an exciting place to be, and go beyond going to an arena just to watch a game.

The actual seats should have more legroom and be built on a steeper gradient. I can't tell you how many times I went to the joe to be kicking the guy-in-front-of-me's back with my knees. Oh and I also like the idea of marquees that revolve around the entire upper bowl.

[schulzte 18]

Echolalia,

The reason I believe a "New Olympia" would work in Detroit is because hockey needs to celebrate and market its history, and there isn't a single building in the NHL any longer comparable to a Wrigley Field or Fenway Park in baseball. The NHL has a longer, richer history than the NBA or the NFL, but few realize it. The Red Wings have one of the few fan bases that appreciate and celebrate hockey history, and don't just view hockey as mere entertainment. This is why such a building would work in Detroit and not in Nashville or Atlanta or LA. Beside wanting great hockey with good sightlines and a good place to get something to eat and drink, what more do people actually expect in an arena? Even the new flashy arenas don't accomplish much more, and these new buildings have contributed little to the atmosphere of hockey. Ask a Leafs, Bruins, Canadians, or Blackhawks fan if they could trade their new arenas back in for the old ones. Chances are, they would. Sure, add some leg room (Good god, JLA has no leg room!), but replicating the old time atmosphere should be the goal of the New Olympia, not using the flashing lights and sparkle of the new crop of sports arenas. Joe Louis has a good hockey atmosphere, but the architecture itself contributes little to the experience. It isn't old, it isn't new, it hasn't aged particularly well, it just isn't really anything but nice and red inside.

If you check out the floor plans at the New Olympia site, you will see two restaurants, two sports bars, a big Red Wings store, and a Red Wings Hall of Fame.

[#19forPresident! 1]

Echolalia,

The reason I believe a "New Olympia" would work in Detroit is because hockey needs to celebrate and market its history, and there isn't a single building in the NHL any longer comparable to a Wrigley Field or Fenway Park in baseball. The NHL has a longer, richer history than the NBA or the NFL, but few realize it. The Red Wings have one of the few fan bases that appreciate and celebrate hockey history, and don't just view hockey as mere entertainment. This is why such a building would work in Detroit and not in Nashville or Atlanta or LA. Beside wanting great hockey with good sightlines and a good place to get something to eat and drink, what more do people actually expect in an arena? Even the new flashy arenas don't accomplish much more, and these new buildings have contributed little to the atmosphere of hockey. Ask a Leafs, Bruins, Canadians, or Blackhawks fan if they could trade their new arenas back in for the old ones. Chances are, they would. Sure, add some leg room (Good god, JLA has no leg room!), but replicating the old time atmosphere should be the goal of the New Olympia, not using the flashing lights and sparkle of the new crop of sports arenas. Joe Louis has a good hockey atmosphere, but the architecture itself contributes little to the experience. It isn't old, it isn't new, it hasn't aged particularly well, it just isn't really anything but nice and red inside.

If you check out the floor plans at the New Olympia site, you will see two restaurants, two sports bars, a big Red Wings store, and a Red Wings Hall of Fame.

You bring up a great point about recognizing history of the teams. They should build the arenas with expansion in mind as well as making state of the art when its constructed. It would be a lot cooler walking into a 100 year old building, hell The Joe is only 30 and it still has that historic feeling when you walk inside.

[Mule39 0]

The capacity will most certainly be larger.

[redwingslady87 130]

Bringing this thing back from the dead with new info.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...0381/1128/rss16

So the Redwings and Illitch have to announce their decision by August 16, and it looks like we have two options.

Keep the Joe and make improvements to it, or build the new areana and have everything be brand new. I'm sure ultimately Illitch will make the right decision, but what would you do?

[JayUp88 1]

Bringing this thing back from the dead with new info.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...0381/1128/rss16

So the Redwings and Illitch have to announce their decision by August 16, and it looks like we have two options.

Keep the Joe and make improvements to it, or build the new areana and have everything be brand new. I'm sure ultimately Illitch will make the right decision, but what would you do?

I think its safe to say we will see a new arena. Look at what he did with the tigers. people didn't really want to see tigers stadium go but now everyones happy to go to comarica. We will see a new place soon.

[Flip-check 6]

On the other hand the Ilitch's have an awesome deal with the Joe/Cobo hall; they're making $$$ hand-over-fist, & the city of Detroit gets very little (if a new extension is signed for the lease of the Joe - the city will get almost nothing).

The idea of the Joe being around for another twenty or thirty years is pretty impressive. These days though I'm not sure if it'll stick around--everyone pushes for new arenas, and the place is going on its thirtieth anniversary soon.

To listen to some of the city reps angrily talk about the injustice of the JLA deal though is a little hilarious!

[Matt 1,048]

The way that the current arrangement is set up Ilitch has the city bent over the barrel. I'm sure he'll hold that lease agreement over their heads until he gets the concessions he wants in order to turn over the Joe/Cobo area to the city and build a new arena in Foxtown.

This will go down to the deadline before we hear anything at all.

There's absolutely no reason for anyone working for Ilitch to tip their hand, either -- all those cards are going to be held tightly to the vest even if they've already made up their minds about a new arena. So if we hear the "we have not made a decision either way" line it seems like rhetoric to me.... Though anything is possible with the way the city operates... If they don't budge (and they will -- BIG TIME) then you'll see the lease extended. But I think that'd take a minor miracle to happen.

I do want to add that I'm a big fan of the American Airlines Center (Dallas), and I think a "look" similar to that -- but with design cues stemming from the Olympia tied in -- that it would look absolutely beautiful in Foxtown. I think it'd add a lot and not look out of place when compared to the brick looks of Ford Field, the Fox Theater, etc.:

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

The idea of the Joe being around for another twenty or thirty years is pretty impressive. These days though I'm not sure if it'll stick around--everyone pushes for new arenas, and the place is going on its thirtieth anniversary soon.

To listen to some of the city reps angrily talk about the injustice of the JLA deal though is a little hilarious!

No kidding.

Considering how few people were going to Wings games, or to downtown in general, when Illitch got that lease, they should still be thanking him.

Even though it is an unbelievably good deal for him, he's done a lot for the city. Including the 2.5 million Detroit gets every year from ticket surcharges at Cobo and the Joe.

[DEVILSWATERBOY 10]

Here is a weird thought, and by no means am I saying this will happen, BUT...

With all of the economic turmoil in the Detroit area do any of you foresee a possible move out of Detroit being forced by needing a new arena?

I dont see Mr I doing that besides the Wings have been in Detroit for over 80 years if MR I wants anew arena the city and state will make it happen reason they bring in way to much money for the city to lose them

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

So let's say they do decide to build a new arena. Any idea on when the Wings would get to play in it? Would it be the start of the 08-09 season?

[RedFX 48]

Weren't they going to build it on Cass near Cass Tech? (Thought I read that somewhere)

[CupChamps979802 35]

If this works out I am really going to miss the Joe, but I am really excited about a new arena. The only thing I am mad about is that the new arena is most likely going to have one of those corporate sponsor names.

[Rice 42]

Cobo needs to expand and I've heard it would be nearly impossible to renovate the Joe. This is because all of the buildings plumbing is located in those cinder block walls behind the standing room sections. That's where boxes would need to be placed and it would be an absolute mess to reconfigure all of that. The Wings need a new arena, bad. I really don't care if it's a corporate name. Big deal.

[Guest DetroitIan]

As much as I will miss being at the Joe, where all those great memories took place. I also think its time for the Red Wings to have a top-notched facility. Hopefully this happens soon.