FunkedUp 29 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Link At a glance Olympia Entertainment has until Tuesday to inform the city if they want to opt out of the lease that expires next year that gives them control of Joe Louis, an adjacent parking garage and part of Cobo Center for roughly $475,000 a year. If not, the lease will automatically be extended for another 20 years under similar terms The Red Wings enjoy what is considered the best lease arrangement of any NHL team at Joe Louis. Olympia Entertainment leases the hockey arena, Cobo Arena and an adjacent parking structure for $475,000 a year, while the city tosses in free police protection, landscaping and snow removal. One hint the Ilitch family may consider a new facility came from Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, who confirmed the county, which had a hand in putting together deals to build Ford Field and Comerica Park, has been approached about financing assistance. "We're open to options to help them stay here," said Ficano, who declined to give specifics. "We want to do everything we can to keep the Red Wings here." Speculation whether the Wings will move has intensified recently as the Ilitch family has accumulated land behind their Fox Theatre they are using for parking lots. With a deadline drawing near to make a decision on where the team will play in 2010, the Red Wings are in a quandary, experts on hockey venues say. In addition to the draft and our teams roster situation this upcoming season, this will also be an interesting development. I'm not sure how I feel about this. I don't mind seeing the Wings in a new home, but I don't think it makes very much sense. The lease is quite the deal, and the Joe could be extensively renovated if they want to. But Hey, its not my money Although, It would be awesome to have a new rink by Comerica and Ford Field. I'm sure that area would develope real quickly cause of it and make for some more bars and other spots. The new rink would also be held to high standards...It would have to be worth it. We shall see... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedFX 48 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Didn't Ilitch buy a bunch of land over on Cass a few years back? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlakKy 58 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Don't do it! I love our boards! *sproing* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blood On The Ice 15 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Didn't Ilitch buy a bunch of land over on Cass a few years back? Yes, that would be the parking lot land behind the fox the story is referring too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 I am so desperate for a new arena. All the Joe is good for is memories. Other than that, its a dump. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FirstSamuel1745 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Don't tear down the Joe until I see a game there! Guess I better get on the ball. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HOCKEY MATTERS 167 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Can you imagine the traffic problems if a new arena is built near Comerica? Tigers playing the same time the Wings are........... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
talex 1 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 tough call, the lease seems like a good deal, but the joe also seems a bit outdated. it is fairly cramped compared to some of the newer arena's I have attended. In the current economy I would think they will choose to stay in the joe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaymz99 2 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Here we go again. The new arenas out there have zero character. It's like being at the mall. The Joe has years of history and a ton of atmosphere. Just needs a little TLC and a fresh coat of paint. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Yes, that would be the parking lot land behind the fox the story is referring too. This? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mors 201 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 The Joe has a lot of history...but damn those seats are uncomfortable, and the concourse is like a dungeon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChitownWingsfan 54 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Here we go again. The new arenas out there have zero character. It's like being at the mall. The Joe has years of history and a ton of atmosphere. Just needs a little TLC and a fresh coat of paint. I have to believe that the Ilitch's are smart enough not to build some huge monstrosity with no character. I haven't seen Comerica, but as long as its an actual hockey stadium and not a hydrid hockey/basketball site, it should be fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JayUp88 1 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 I love the Joe but its time to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bellarina 1 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 hopefully the boards are transplanted into any new facility. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredbarnman 13 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Here's hoping that the Wings organization do the right thing and build a new arena. I have never liked Joe Louis Arena, from day 1. It does have atmosphere, but so did the Olympia. But just like Olympia, it has a very small concourse, VERY small bathrooms, and they call THAT a proshop? With the statues inside, it makes it even smaller. Not only will a new building create jobs, (laid off construction worker for 9 months) it would help in creating other construction around it. Plus, Cobo could use the building as a remodel or a new addition for expansion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 What determines whether a building has character? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 I am content with whatever happens. Joe or not, I still will get to see my Red Wings play. That's all that matters to me. If there are resticted sightlines in the new arena I will kill Ilitch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jwo 7 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) Here's hoping that the Wings organization do the right thing and build a new arena. I have never liked Joe Louis Arena, from day 1. It does have atmosphere, but so did the Olympia. But just like Olympia, it has a very small concourse, VERY small bathrooms, and they call THAT a proshop? With the statues inside, it makes it even smaller. Not only will a new building create jobs, (laid off construction worker for 9 months) it would help in creating other construction around it. Plus, Cobo could use the building as a remodel or a new addition for expansion. That won't work for Cobo. It's too old and falling apart, needs to be torn down and rebuilt somewhere else in Detroit. The old Corner (Tiger Stadium site) would be a good site for either a new hockey arena or Convention center (W fisher fwy to Bagley st for north and south and East and West from 12 Ave to Trumbll st.) It would help extend the downtown area in the future, plus with an addition of light rail services along Michigan avenue and hopefully in the future with a elevated subway rapid transit system to use Michigan Central station as a Grand Central type Station. It's time for Detroit to step up and become a Major U.S. City. Edited June 24, 2009 by Jwo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 I have to believe that the Ilitch's are smart enough not to build some huge monstrosity with no character. I haven't seen Comerica, but as long as its an actual hockey stadium and not a hydrid hockey/basketball site, it should be fine. I agree with you. I've been to Comerica and I think it's a great park. Is it Tiger Stadium? No, but there's not a bad seat in the house and it's a great place to watch a game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timothy1997 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Can you imagine the traffic problems if a new arena is built near Comerica? Tigers playing the same time the Wings are........... I doubt they would just let it happen like that. Tigers and Lions play right next to each other and they dont play at the same time. Playoff time would be the only tricky part. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-TownWing 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 Can you imagine the traffic problems if a new arena is built near Comerica? Tigers playing the same time the Wings are........... +1...that area is freaking crazy as it is. Now throw in another major sports venue with 41 dates, plus CCHAs and whatever else. Yikes. I can't imagine a better place to watch a hockey game than the Joe. The problem is the other stuff you do there, like trying to go to the bathroom or get pizza during intermission without missing any of the game. Or getting out of there within an hour of the game ending. Couldn't care less about the way the building looks or any of that stuff. The idea of a new place is kind of exciting to me...if you look around the league, most of the arenas that people say are the best (Nationwide and XCel being two) are the ones that were designed for hockey (no NBA tenant) and that's what we'd be getting. I'm pretty much torn on it, which means I'll probably just see what happens and be happy either way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
timothy1997 0 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 It's time for Detroit to step up and become a Major U.S. City. got to fix the corruption first in the city of Detroit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 cup holders... k, thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 got to fix the corruption first in the city of Detroit. No kidding. It's amazing the city has gotten as far as it has, in spite of the city officials. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878 Report post Posted June 24, 2009 I love the Joe, please don't leave it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
