New Ultra-Enhanced Video/Renderings of the Arena District

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

So where is your stance?

Cannot have your cake and eat it too

I already mentioned my stance. You're right, I probably wouldn't have wanted Olympia torn down decades ago. But like I said, the JLA is a unique modern day building because of how long it stood. Outside of the United Center, where Jordan played, I don't see any modern day NHL arena having that same kind of future and longevity.

And why would I want cake if I wasn't going to eat it?

[The Greek 323]

GMR,

I understand the sentiment. I'm usually the first to call for the preservation of historic buildings. But blowing up the joe was necessary to appease detroit's creditors. It pretty much came down to handing over the property under the joe or the artwork in the DIA. I also agree that corporate arenas suck and Europe rules.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

GMR,

I understand the sentiment. I'm usually the first to call for the preservation of historic buildings. But blowing up the joe was necessary to appease detroit's creditors. It pretty much came down to handing over the property under the joe or the artwork in the DIA. I also agree that corporate arenas suck and Europe rules.

What do you know, law student?

No, I understand why they're doing it. I posted as such above. Just kind of sucks a little. Maybe we just like blowing stuff up here? And it's almost July 4th.

[The Greek 323]

What do you know, law student?

No, I understand why they're doing it. I posted as such above. Just kind of sucks a little. Maybe we just like blowing stuff up here? And it's almost July 4th.

Man, I don't know s***. If I did I'd probably be in Biotech. In all seriousness, judge Rosen, who acted as mediator between Detroit and its creditors, taught my evidence class. He had some pretty fascinating insight on the process. I would have been happier with preserving the budding, but the creditors were not going to pass up that real estate, especially with the state footing the bill for demolition.

[Rivalred 630]

I already mentioned my stance. You're right, I probably wouldn't have wanted Olympia torn down decades ago. But like I said, the JLA is a unique modern day building because of how long it stood. Outside of the United Center, where Jordan played, I don't see any modern day NHL arena having that same kind of future and longevity.

And why would I want cake if I wasn't going to eat it?

It is all over your face, shouldn't be so messy

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Man, I don't know s***. If I did I'd probably be in Biotech. In all seriousness, judge Rosen, who acted as mediator between Detroit and its creditors, taught my evidence class. He had some pretty fascinating insight on the process. I would have been happier with preserving the budding, but the creditors were not going to pass up that real estate, especially with the state footing the bill for demolition.

How sadly ironic. The great Joe Louis was hounded by creditors for much of his life. And now the building named after him is being demolished because of some inept city's creditors.

[roboturner 562]

Ok. I have a question for you then. Would you rather keep the old building around and have big advertising on the front of the Jersey like European soccer. Or would you rather have no Jersey advertising and a corporate name on a new arena?

That is one hell of a false dichotomy...

Anyway, I wish they could keep it. They could use it for other hockey games (i.e. college, high school, pee-wee, ect).

They could turn it into a sort of Red Wings museum with memorabilia and you could go look in the locker room and see where Yzerman, Feds, Pavel, ect sat and got ready for games.

I would love to be able to go to Olympia today and see where all the great Wings of old played and a bunch of old wooden sticks with no curve on them, old Wings jerseys with the smaller logo on the front. That would be awesome.

I know most of you are Lions fans, but being in the UP I'm a Packers fan. And one of the greatest things about going to a home Packers game is getting to be at the legendary Lambeau Field; the same field where players like Reggie White and Ray Nitschke played, Bart Starr won the Ice Bowl on the quarterback sneak, where Brett Favre and now Aaron Rodgers have become some of the best quarterbacks to have played the game. And that field will be there for future generations of players and fans to come and enjoy the history that it offers.

Even the Old City Stadium that they played at before moving to Lambeau is still in use. It's just cool that these places still exist and get used.

Edited June 30, 2015 by roboturner

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I know this would never happen, but it'd be kind of sweet if they moved the griffins down to Detroit and let them play in the Joe.

I mean, the revenue it generated wouldn't be nearly enough to justify it, but it would be cool.

[Helmethead 235]

Sad thing about Joe Louis is that during WW2 he went overseas and raised money for the war effort and then was taxed heavily for it. He had to come out of retirement where he lost to Rocky Marciano. He then became a ref and was very bad at it. In his day though the Brown Bomber was great. He had his "bum of the month club" knocking out guys like it was easy. One of the all time greats.

[The Greek 323]

Sad thing about Joe Louis is that during WW2 he went overseas and raised money for the war effort and then was taxed heavily for it. He had to come out of retirement where he lost to Rocky Marciano. He then became a ref and was very bad at it. In his day though the Brown Bomber was great. He had his "bum of the month club" knocking out guys like it was easy. One of the all time greats.

Oh, there they go. There they go, every time I start talkin' 'bout boxing, a white man got to pull Rocky Marciano out they ass. That's their one, that's their one. Rocky Marciano! Rocky Marciano! Let me tell you something, once and for all-Rocky Marciano was good; but compared to Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano ain't s***.

Joe Louis was 75 years old when they fought.

Edited June 30, 2015 by The Greek

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

I just watched the video.

It looks sweet.

I wonder if they're really going to have a monitor system running all around the walkway.

Cuz that'd be crazy.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

I just watched the video.

It looks sweet.

I wonder if they're really going to have a monitor system running all around the walkway.

Cuz that'd be crazy.

It would be great if you need to run to the bathroom during the period

[Shinzaki 72]

The Joe is a dump...it required a waiver on safety regulations IIRC to even open. By all means tear it down...it's not like it's some remarkable example of architectural genius. I hope the same kind of mistakes aren't repeated in the design of the new building.

[Helmethead 235]

Good Coming to America reference. Lol

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I hope the bottoms of the seats are white.

[krsmith17 7,191]

I can't wait for the 2017-18 season. This "district" is going to be unreal. In saying that, I am definitely going to miss the Joe... I will without a doubt be back for at least one more visit over the next two seasons...

[The Greek 323]

Good Coming to America reference. Lol

I couldn't resist.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

I hope the bottoms of the seats are white.

And have pictures of Holland playing golf on them.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

Got 2 years to get to the Joe before we move to this absolutely sick looking arena!

[Wing Across The Pond 196]

Why? They actually enjoy life.

My point was, they wouldn't tear down a Yankee Stadium or a Montreal Forum or a Boston Garden. There's history in those buildings and players and fans felt something special when they went to a game. Now you have these big corporate named arenas with more seats and more comfort, but less atmosphere. It's not as memorable and not as great an experience. Every time I meet someone who went to a sporting event at the Boston Garden or at the Chicago Stadium, I ask them about it. Don't really care about the TD Garden or the Air Canada Center, and nobody will care in 30 years about them, because they will probably be demolished by then. Not much time to make history there. As a fan, I want to attend a stadium where legends played. You can do that in Europe, but not here. Unless you go to Lambeau Field, Wrigley Field or Fenway Park. We'll see how long those last.

Maybe it's a cultural mentality. In Europe, they have famous soccer stadiums that have been around, in some cases, over 100 years. They'd never think of demolishing those. Maybe it's because Europe has more history than North America and has been around much longer. We haven't been around long and want to make our stadiums look brand new every 20 years.

As a British soccer fan, this is spurious. Most stadiums are new or developed. Places like Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, has had so many facelifts it's not the same stadium it once was, and even then the infrastructure in the concourses is dire. Utterly terrible. Like putting a 2015 body on a 1982 car.

Also the older stadiums out there - my team, Brentford, has been at Griffin Park for over 100 years now - are dying. We're so optimistic for our new place opening sometime next year. Yes I have my entire childhood memories at that place but at the end of the day it's awful to stay there. We can't afford expenditure when we can only get 10,000 people through the gates. We have to move, or jack it in really. My childhood memories aren't as important as the future memories the club can make.

The oldest ground in the world, Bramall Lane (build in 1855) isn't the same ground anymore. It was almost entirely rebuilt in the 60s, then had various stands build over the years (most recently in 2006). We can do this with open-air stadiums in decent spaces (unfortunately Brentford's Griffin Park is surrounded by residential land... and I mean literally surrounded. The walls are the back walls of people's yards) you can't do it as easily with an enclosed venue like a hockey rink.

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

Can't wait! As much as I'll miss the Joe for the tradition and all the memories, it's getting old and run down. And we'll make new memories in the new arena. The best organization deserves the best arena. And unfortunately the Joe is a dump. Still has tons of charm, but it's time to move on. Plus the new arena is a much better location.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

Some people can't let go of the past I guess..

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

Looks fantastic and it will be another great thing for the city and surrounding area. My only disappointment will be how far away the upper bowl will be. I hope I am wrong. The Joe really doesn't have many bad seats, upper and lower.

[dave989 4]

Looks fantastic and it will be another great thing for the city and surrounding area. My only disappointment will be how far away the upper bowl will be. I hope I am wrong. The Joe really doesn't have many bad seats, upper and lower.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/closer-look-new-red-wings-arena-plans/33837516

According to this video (forward to 40 second mark where he compares it to the Joe), seats will be right on top of the action. They say it will feature steeper seating than the Joe and sight lines will be closer for hockey than any arena in the country, including Montreal. We'll have to wait for the final product, but I've heard Ilitch and Wilson say that they've made sight lines a top priority for this new arena.

Edited July 3, 2015 by dave989

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/closer-look-new-red-wings-arena-plans/33837516

According to this video (forward to 40 second mark where he compares it to the Joe), seats will be right on top of the action. They say it will feature steeper seating than the Joe and sight lines will be closer for hockey than any arena in the country, including Montreal. We'll have to wait for the final product, but I've heard Ilitch and Wilson say that they've made sight lines a top priority for this new arena.

Its going to be hard to beat the views from the Joe, there literally isn't a bad seat in the place.(in terms of ability to view the ice)

If they match that, I'll be very, very impressed.