SAVE TIGER STADIUM..LOOK READ COMMENT

LIES DECEPTION - TELL THE TRUTH DEGC - TO DETROIT AND THE CITY COUNCILJul 16, 2007 9:18 PMCategory: News
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Mr. Watkins statement that there has never been a reuse of a major league ballpark is not accurate. The Houston Astrodome is still very much in use, largely for high school and other amateur events, including the Texas High School Football championships. Of course, the Los Angeles Coliseum was also a major league ballpark when the Dodgers moved, and it is still in use. There are of course a host of historic minor league parks that have been resused, including the famous Durham Athletic Park, in Durham North Carolina, scene of the movie “Bull Durham.”
I believe Joe Robbie Stadium, which is now called something else, is still in use for the Dolphins. It was of course for a while the home of the Florida Marlins. And the Olympic Stadium in Montreal is still in use, for the Alouettes and other events. Come to think of it, RFK stadium in Washington, which ceased being the home of the Washingotn Senators in 1972 (I believe) remained in use, first for the Redskins, and then later for DC United of Major League Soccer, and is now in it’s second incarnation as a Major League baseball stadium, housing the Nationals.
While we’re at it, the Polo Grounds in New York survived for many years after the Giants decamped for San Francisco, being used for numerous events, all the way from auto racing to soccer, before ultimately being torn down. And Exhibition Park, in Toronto, the first home of the Blue Jays, survived for many years, and as far as I know still survives, as the Stadium for the Canadian National Exhibition. So the Watkins statement is clearly erroneous.
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Dear Council Members, The DEGC feels no prospective developers will come forward as long as historic Tiger Stadium is standing at the Corner. Has it ever occurred to the DEGC, or anyone else for that matter, perhaps the reason no developer will come forward isn't because OF Tiger Stadiums current existence at the site, but rather the fact the developer could go down in history as the one who replaced one of Michigan's most storied landmarks? You didn't have the problem of past developers and groups not coming forward (whose plans were ultimately shunned by the city) because their proposals incorporated huge sections of the current stadium into their plans thus retaining the ballparks historic landmark status. This may sound a little crazy to some folks, but this makes much more sense then the DEGC's claim the sight isn't Developer friendly unless Tiger Stadium is stripped and knocked into oblivion. I sincerely believe you'll find far more interest in the site by leaving the historic stadium intact. Tiger Stadium will present unique situations as well as many unique opportunities for developers recognizing its potential. This has been clearly evident in past plans for the stadium. And here is exactly what I mean when I say "unique situations".... Walter Watkins, employed by the city at the time, responded to me via email defending his stance why Tiger Stadium should go. His response, evidently intended to discourage me from fighting for the stadiums existence, was this.... "There has never been a successful rehabilitation of a retired major league ballpark." His statement is all the more reason why we need to pursue the path to preservation and utilization rather then demolition. So City Council of Detroit.... you have something very unique here. I pray you don't throw it away. Sincerely Dale Atkinson
PS ...TIGER STADIUM IS STILL A VIABLE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE... GIVE IT TO WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY FOR FOOTBALL . BASEBALL........ ASK WHY ..THE DEGC HAS TO LIE, MISLEAD AND MISREPRESENT FACTS ABOUT TIGER STADIUM....??? DAVID MALHALAB
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PHONE NUMBERS - MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL - DETROITJul 15, 2007 5:36 PMCategory: News
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Hello Detroit, Michigan, USA
If you want to speak out, speak up about the state of the City of Detroit, below are Detroit City Council phone numbers and email addresses..
Speak up an speak out: the Police Department and its poor executive leadership, that continues the low hiring standards, the lack of jail space, lack of a new jail/medical facility, failure to adopt a 'verified response system' that would make profit making alarm companies responsible for patrolling and checking their B&E alarms - that waste prescious time, free police services for the Lions, Tigers and Red Wings - while there are insufficient police officers to patrol your neighborhoods...
Tiger Stadium - Why does the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation have to lie, misrepresent and mislead residents, the City Planning Commissioners, and the City Council - Why??????? Tell the Truth !!!!!!!!!
Mayor's Office313-224-3400Council PresidentKenneth Cockrel313-224-4505send e-mail Council President-ProtemMonica Conyers313-224-4530send e-mail Members:SheilaCockrel313-224-1337send e-mail Martha Reeves313-224-4510send e-mail Joann Watson313-224-4535send e-mail Kwame Kenyatta313-224-1198send e-mail Brenda Jones313-224-1245send e-mailBarabara Rose Collins313-224-1298send e-mailAlberta Tinsley-Talabi313-224-1645send e-mail
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DETROIT PLANNING COMMISSION - VOTE - TIGER STADIUMJul 12, 2007 10:39 PMCategory: News
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DATELINE DETROIT: 7/12/07
Detroit Planning Commission voted down 5-1-1 a Detroit Economic Growth Corp plan to demolish historic Detroit Tiger Stadium. Commissioners said after the vote: we knew we were being lied to, they were asked to present their proposal and did a weak job... david..........
Mr. Todd and Planning Commissioners...............
Thank you all for not being a rubber stamp and for the intelligence you exhibited, in regards to the Tiger Stadium situation. You have partially restored my faith in City governance. Best Wishes....
David L. Malhalab Sgt DPD Retired
PS: Now if only the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners were so determined to be so responsible - we would have a much better and more professional police department and better police executives............................
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TIGER STADIUM ARTILCES - HISTORY, METRO TIMESJul 11, 2007 2:09 PMCategory: News
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HELLO DETROIT, MICHIGAN, USA
IF YOU GET A CHANCE READ THESE ARTICLES, ABOUT HISTORIC DETRIOT TIGER STADIUM AND THE EFFORTS TO SAVE IT, AND EFFORTS TO PREVENT THAT....
TODAY, I SENT A LETTER TO: US ATTORNEY STEPHEN J. MURPHY, EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN - REQUESTING A FEDERAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION OF MIKE ILITCH AND THE TIGER STADIUM SITUATION.
1. A hole in the heartCorktown’s lost field of dreams.8/6/2003http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=52292. Striking outCity rejects offer of free security, maintenance at Tiger Stadium3/16/2005http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=74473. Field of schemes7/11/2007http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=10804Curt GuyetteNews editorMetro Times
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$12 MILLION DOLLAR WALK THRU - NOW...Jul 9, 2007 9:22 PMCategory: News
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Council President Conyers, Detroit City Council ...........
Please have the Council read the Tiger Stadium Lease and take a walk thru of Historic Detroit Tiger Stadium and see where $4 - 12 million dollars of taxpayer money has been spent or not by Mike Ilitch. It's obvious from the outside and inside that he has violated the Lease and taken money improperly - and a federal, state and city investigation is warrented.....
FBI REQUEST - INVESTIGATION OF MIKE ILITCH / CITY OF DETROIT
DETROIT OFFICE FBI - AGENT IN CHARGE
MICHAEL O'CONNOR, PUBLIC CORRUPTION UNIT - FBI
THIS IS INFO YOU SHOULD USE TO INVESTIGATE MIKE ILITCH....PROSECUTE FOR TAKING DETROIT TAXPAYER MONEY..EMBEZZLEMENT OF CoD MONEY...
Relevent Background InformationJanuary 1,1978 John Fetzer sells Tiger Stadium to City of Detroit for $1.00 and City agrees to lease back for 30 years. City gets $5,000,000 Federal Grant and issues $8,500,000 in revenue bonds to finance renovation of the stadium. Revenue bonds serviced by 50¢ surcharge per ticket which was increased to 90¢ to cover additional bonds in 1982. By Spring of 1989, all bonds paid off, but 90¢ per ticket still collected for "stadium maintenance" August 26, 1992 Michael Illitch buys Tigers and continues to collect 90¢ surcharge per ticket as follows: 1993, 1994 & 1995 - $3,908,463 *1996, 1997 & 1998 - $3,548,842 * after October 30, 1995 Memorandum of Understanding for new stadium October 30, 1995 Memorandum of Understanding between City of Detroit, Downtown Development Authority, and Detroit Tigers, Inc. to terminate original 30 year lease up in 2007. Tigers agree to deposit with City when new stadium is occupied sum of $2,000,000 for maintenance or demolition of Tiger Stadium. (Surcharge produced $3,548,842 for 1996, 1997 & 1998.) September 27, 1999 Final game (6,783rd) played in Tiger Stadium. Sept. 27, 1999 to date Detroit Tigers, Inc. have served as caretakers of Tiger Stadium furnishing field maintenance and security for a stipend of $420,000 per year. In addition they have received and retained all of the fees for use of the stadium. Including in part: Five Tiger Fantasy Camps HBO Movie about Roger Maris' home run record, entitled '61 Four Minor League baseball games sponsored by Michigan & Trumbull, LLC II. Wasting Asset/Conflict of Interest For two and a half years, Tiger Stadium has been a wasting asset of the City of Detroit. Instead of producing benefit in cash and kind for the City, it has caused expense and waste. The Detroit Tigers, Inc are not interested in the stadium being used for any activity which might conflict with their perceived entertainment monopoly. They view the stadium's future only in demolition. III. Back to the Future We see the stadium as a valuable City-owned asset with a viable future as a revenue generator - revenue that could be earmarked for the budget-starved Recreation Department, or more specifically for the Belle Isle Renaisance or to supplement "Mayor's time" activities. Where would the revenues come from? First, from the savings of fees being paid to the Detroit Tigers, Inc. for the current caretaking, and then from the fees received from activities promoted in the stadium - see sample listing attached. In addition to a new source of revenue, it is possible that Tiger Stadium could become a place of interest for the Detroit Convention and Visitor's Bureau. It is the oldest and only one of four (Fenway, Wrigley, and Yankee) original ballparks still standing. This year the Baseball Hall of Fame in cooperstown launches its traveling exhibit. What better stop than historic Tiger Stadium? Background Information on Detroit's Tiger Stadium www.michigan&trumball
LETTERS from Peter C. Riley and David Malhalab - WERE SENT PREVIOUSLY ASKING FOR THIS INVESTIGATION OF MIKE ILITCH AND CITY OF DETROIT MONEY - HE RECIEVED FOR SECURITY AND MAINTENANCE OF HISTORIC DETROIT TIGER STADIUM... FEDERAL MONEY WAS USED FOR TIGER STADIUM...FBI SHOULD INVESTIGATE.....DLM
No mention of my request that the Council hold Ilitch accountable, which cp Watson made reference too in her comments to the DEGC after public comments.. Ken Cockrel, Jr. and Joann Watson have said publicly (quietly) that Ilitch owes the City the TS money...but no one has investigated this.....Why??? Still no articles on ' where's the money '? been spent on Tiger Stadium. I was inside the stadium last Thursday and nothing has changed - has Ilitch even bought a bucket of paint with the $4. million he has gotten for the security and maintenance of Tiger Stadium???? The Council needs to get the Tiger Stadium lease and take a $12. million dollar walk thru Tiger Stadium - Ilitch has clearly violated the lease and taken money with NO accountability to the residents of Detroit - Why??????? David Malhalab Sgt. DPD Retired
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CITY COUNCIL - TIGER STADIUM - MONDAY 07-09-07Jul 8, 2007 4:13 AMCategory: Entertainment
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HELLO DETROIT, MICHIGAN, USA
The Detroit City Council will hold a public hearing on an Economic Development Corporation Plan for Tiger Stadium- Monday July 9th at 11:15am at the Detroit City County building at 2 Woodward Ave, 13th floor - The plan for Tiger Stadium, which would include partial demolition (yeah right) and the building of condos and retail stores - is a rehash of previous announced plans, that have NO money and NO developers. The EDC wants to plant in the public's mind - the thought - that Tiger Stadium is of - NO value as a viable entertainment facility, as it stands - and that it has to be demolished for redevelopment.
Mike Ilitch, the billionaire, who has taken $4 - 12 million dollars for the security and maintenance of Tiger Stadium and it looks like he hasn't bought a can of paint since 1999 for Tiger Stadium - let alone properly spent Detroit taxpayers money.
The Mayor has failed to properly review and cooperate with developers ( Harry Glanz - Capitol Mortgage / and Peter Huithwaite - among others who offered money and plans to restore and utilize Tiger Stadium. So call Councilman Ken Cockrel Jr (313 224 4504) and tell him to save Tiger Stadium and to let the market place decide the value of Tiger Stadium - not the Mayor and Mike Ilitch...
Scroll down and read my previous post on Tiger Stadium for more information........................CITY OF DETROITCOUNTY OF WAYNE,STATE OF MICHIGAN CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FOLLOWING EDC PROJECT PLAN: THE TIGER STADIUM PROPERTY REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS IN THE CITY OF DETROIT: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City Council of the City of Detroit, Michigan will hold a public hearing on Monday, the 9th day of July, 2007, in the Council Chambers, 13th Floor of the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center located at 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, to consider the adoption of a resolution approving the Project Plan for the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit pursuant to Act 338 of the Public Acts of Michigan 1974, as amended. 11:15 AM — Tiger Stadium Property Redevelopment Project The property to which the proposed Project Plan applies is generally bounded by Cochrane on the west, Trumbull on the east, Michigan Avenue on the south and the Fisher Freeway south service drive on the north.Copies of the proposed Project Plan and maps and plats associated therewith are on file at the office of the City Clerk for inspection during regular business hours. At the public hearing, all interested persons desiring to address the City Council shall beafforded an opportunity to be heard in regard to the approval of the Project Plan for theEconomic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit. All aspects of the ProjectPlan will be open for discussion at the public hearing. FURTHER INFORMATION may be obtained from the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit, 500 Griswold, Suite 2200, Detroit, Ml. 48226.