Development notes: JLA demo timeline, WCCCD expansion, more

We should expect to see the long demolition process of the Joe Louis Arena start soon, according to the Detroit Free Press. Demo would have to start by early May, and according to the report, the city would have a year to finish the complete demolition. Although it’s expected that a 30-story high-rise hotel will go in its place, no details have been announced on that project.

Nearby, construction has started on an expansion of the Wayne County Community College District campus. According to the Detroit News, the $25 million health, wellness, and education building has broken ground on Fort Street. The Detroit News reports, “Some of the health and wellness programs that will be offered in the building include occupational therapy, physical therapy, biomechanics and culinary arts. The building will also house a gymnasium for the WCCCD Wildcats basketball program.”

The building should be completed in spring 2019.

Last week, Crain’s reported that Olympia had plans for a high-rise overlooking Comerica Park. This weekend, Crain’s revealed a map of future Olympia developments in that area, including a second high-rise. One would be located on Witherell Street between Adams and Madison, while the other would be at Woodward and Montcalm. The map also shows a hotel at the Hockeytown Cafe, plus the retail over 75 that they’ve discussed in the past. In a statement to Crain’s, Olympia called it a “conceptual planning map” and said there were no announcements at this time.

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