Read this great article by Mary Kramer, who asks the same questions we have been asking about the DEGC’s rush to demo.
So why the rush? The conservancy has been working on the tedious process of getting historic status, tax credits and investors in a project. They only got the historic status on May 1, and that was required in order to make the rest happen.
The other thing that bothers me is reported in Nancy’s story. Rick Ruffner, who started a greeting card company in downtown Detroit called Avanti (you’ve probably seen their humorous cards, featuring photos and clever messages inside), has 100 employees. He sells cards in 20,000 stores in North America and cards globally in 8 languages.
He’s the kind of company Detroit should want to court and keep. Yet in 2007, he wrote the DEGC and said he’d like to take 100,000 square feet in a project that adapted Tiger Stadium. And he said he had 7 other companies, some of them outside the city of Detroit, that would be interested in reviewing that option, too. He never got a response, formal or otherwise.
Second in a series of fundraisers: Lefty’s Lounge in Detroit’s Midtown. Lefty’s is owned by two former minor league pitchers and has quickly become a hang out for ballplayers.
OTSC will be in the house starting at 4 p.m. Cost is $15 a head or $25 a couple. See you there!
The first of a series of upcoming OTSC fundraisers is this Friday, September 26 at the infamous Nemo’s Bar and Grill in Corktown — a favorite stop before and after ballgames for decades!
The fun starts at 8:30. Entry is $10 a head and music will be provided by The Shy, who will be performing their YouTube hit “Tribute to Tiger Stadium.” Check it out!
Make OTSC your preferred beneficiary at iGive.com, which contributes a small percentage of your purchases from a list of 700+ online merchants, including well-known retailers such as BestBuy, Dell, Orbitz and Staples. Our designated “Join Page” is at: http://www.iGive.com/TigerStadiumConservancy.
The Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy is planning a series of fundraising events at which we will share our updated plans. Save the dates! More details to come.
Sat 9/20: Cadieux Cafe – Detroit’s East Side
Fri 9/26: Nemo’s – Corktown, Detroit
Sun 9/28: Lefty’s Lounge – Midtown, Detroit
Wed 10/1: Clarkston Eagles Club – Clarkston
Thur 10/9: Baille Corcaigh – Corktown, Detroit
It’s easy to forget that the Detroit Lions played at Tiger Stadium from 1938 to 1974. And apparently, pics are rather hard to come by, but a poster at DetroitYes dug up some cool ones from a garage sale.
The most recent Free Press article about Tiger Stadium’s demo included a conversation with OTSC vice-president Thom Linn. The pic with the article shows the remaining corner and, frankly, illustrates the attractiveness of the Navin Field scale.
The Detroit Historical Society will be featuring Tiger Stadium in its upcoming exhibition “Fabulous 5: Detroit’s Entertainment Venues.” Each unique venue is an icon of Detroit’s “pop culture,” having created generations of enjoyable experiences for those who visited them. The exhibit opens to the public Saturday, September 13th at the Detroit Historical Museum and will run through February 2009.
The venues also include the Michigan State Fair, Orchestra Hall, Masonic Temple and the Fox Theater. Their histories are as varied as their architectural facades, but they all share a spot in our hearts!
Come watch the Tigers take on the Indians on August 27 at Gusoline Alley. Recommended donation of $10 per patron, all proceeds to benefit the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy!
Specials: $2 PBRs, $2 Warsteiners, and $2.25 well drinks.
Gusoline Alley is located at 309 S. Center St. in Royal Oak. The fun gets started at 6 p.m.
Thanks to Patrick at Gusoline Alley and Dave Mesrey for setting up this event. If you are interested in setting up a similar event at your local watering hole, please contact us at oldtigerstadium@gmail.com.
