Second_ave Member Username: Second_ave
Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 68.40.223.253
| Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 10:41 pm: | |
http://www.pps.org/info/newsle tter/december2005/us_canada_sq uares Follow the link to Campus Martius and you'll find some nice pictures, including a pre-Compuware image. |
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026
Post Number: 276 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 71.10.63.140
| Posted on Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 10:54 pm: | |
Archer's goal was for this to be the number one public space in America...and its success has been greater than i bet he even imagined. CM is well on its way towards a national reputation as one of the greatest public spaces in North America |
Mike Member Username: Mike
Post Number: 526 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.41.109.36
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 1:30 am: | |
Lots of NY on that list. |
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw
Post Number: 1080 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 141.213.173.94
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 1:52 am: | |
Very interesting. This gives alot of credibility to those who envisioned CMP and who made it happen. If they think it's great now, I can't wait to see what they think when it's used even more and is surrounded by an even better built environment (hint: Monroe block redevelopment and the finished product at Kennedy Sq.) |
Ray Member Username: Ray
Post Number: 610 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 69.208.36.242
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 2:15 am: | |
Wow, that is a great bit of media that we can all be proud of. |
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 2808 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.172.95.197
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 2:15 am: | |
I'd like to see more Campus Martius-type parks/squares in other areas along the major avenues. You know meeting places in other parts of the city that slow down traffic and create a walkable environment. |
Citylover Member Username: Citylover
Post Number: 1450 Registered: 07-2004 Posted From: 4.229.123.88
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 2:37 am: | |
Grand circus pk and Capitol pk Lmich......... |
Lmichigan Member Username: Lmichigan
Post Number: 2810 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.172.95.197
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 2:43 am: | |
And Harmonie, Times Square, and so on and so on. I mean, they need to actually be utilized. But, I was thinking some more along the lines of parks outside of the historic core to function as Campus Martius has. |
Gistok Member Username: Gistok
Post Number: 1629 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.81.24
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 2:49 am: | |
It is interesting that Chicago has no park on that list.... |
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy
Post Number: 1477 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.84.183.189
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 2:56 am: | |
Oooo...sometimes I cringe when I hear of ratings. Sure sometimes the stats aren't in favor for Detroit but for once, we seem to be doing okay. I still wonder what the criteria for their rankings are though. |
Genesyxx Member Username: Genesyxx
Post Number: 367 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 209.69.165.10
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 10:08 am: | |
Rating will probably go up once they decide to work on the rest of the area. It's a great time in (this part of) Detroit! |
Jsmyers Member Username: Jsmyers
Post Number: 1314 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 209.131.7.68
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 10:55 am: | |
PPS is a pretty cool organization, and these are subjective ratings. Unfortunately LMich, Times Square (which really has another name), will be no more. The new bus terminal is planned to wipe most of it out (as well as a block of state street). Plans may have changed, but that is what I was told were the plans. It seems it is easier to pave a city owned park and abandond a street than to buy or condem a vacant lot. |
Kazooexplorer Member Username: Kazooexplorer
Post Number: 961 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 155.79.138.253
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 11:32 am: | |
I've been to 8 of those parks/squares and CM definitely belongs on that list. |
Mind_field Member Username: Mind_field
Post Number: 445 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 209.240.205.61
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 11:39 am: | |
Coldayman of the UrbanOhio forums seems to think that Campus Martius Park only attracts people because it is newish. Does anyone else share this sentiment? I think he is off base, but only the future can tell. But with the park being the front yard for numerous major office and soon to be residential structures, I have a hard time envisioning a decrepit Cmart park. How is the rink on weekends now? I remember last year the 5 or 6 times i went by the rink on weekend nights it was just packed. But last Wednesday or Thursday night, I went thru the park and there were maybe 15 skaters in the rink...definately not packed. I wonder if that was because it was a weeknight? |
Jt1 Member Username: Jt1
Post Number: 6232 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 198.208.251.23
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 11:54 am: | |
I don't think that the novelty will wear off with age. The Mrs. and I spent a lot of time there since it has opened and age will not change the relaxing atmosphere, the fact that a coffe or pop in the summer (and hot cocoa in the winter) tastes a little better in that environment. The humor of watching kids waiting to get sprayed by the fountain mist then running away from it or live music, a movie, skating won't wear off anytime soon. If anything I think that it is something that may get more patrons as word of mouth grows and people realize that eating lunch at your cube is no way to go through life when they have other options. |
Detroitwonk Member Username: Detroitwonk
Post Number: 55 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 68.41.207.52
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 12:01 pm: | |
I would disagree with Coldayman...I love CM, and go there all of the time...in fact, I think I will go ice skating this afternoon just to spite him! Watch for the guy falling on his ass in the burberry scarf! |
Goat Member Username: Goat
Post Number: 7919 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 70.48.209.102
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 12:55 pm: | |
CM was packed last night...The more people see it for themselves, the more they want to come back. A great job by the city of Detroit. |
Rust Member Username: Rust
Post Number: 58 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 64.118.136.130
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 1:06 pm: | |
Goat, I was there last night also. It was a great experience for me and my 8 year old daughter who learned to ice skate last night. Get the Monroe block developed, finish Cadilac Square and enhance the median on Woodwards south of the park and this will be an urban success for many years to come. In fact I think this has done more positive for downtown than anything else in recent time. Yay I know Compuware and GM coming down were huge moves but the resonance that this park is making thru all walks of Metro Detroiters is the best public relations coup Detroit has had in a long time. I work in Troy with very traditional suburbanites and I can't tell how rewarding it is to here positive comments being made in regards to this park. |
Jsmyers Member Username: Jsmyers
Post Number: 1316 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 209.131.7.68
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 7:46 pm: | |
http://www.pps.org/info/newsle tter/december2005/motor_city |
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity
Post Number: 169 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 68.73.199.23
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 8:17 pm: | |
I was at CM Sat AM. Wanted to take some folks to the new breakfast place (at 11 A.M.) but was not about to wait over an hour for seats (for 3.) So we went to Au Bon Pain (for the first time.) Very nice and so is the rink. However, and this is not to knock CM, I was in Toronto 2 or 3 weeks ago and neither CM nor any of the other parks on the top 10 list come close to the facilities at Toronto City Hall. The ice rink is many times the size of Detroit's and creatively lit at night. We watched looking down from the 42nd floor of the Sheraton Centre Hotel across the street and at 10 P.M they had probably 300+ skaters on the rink, 2000 +/- people in the "square" taking in 2 free live stage shows, one on a 2 decker stage, a light show, and then their nightly (during December) fireworks show which was a shortened version but as spectacular as Detroit's July fireworks. I agree Detroit needs other venues similar to Campus Martius. |
Motorcitymayor2026 Member Username: Motorcitymayor2026
Post Number: 279 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 71.10.63.140
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 8:25 pm: | |
I have been to CM 2 of the last three saturday nights, and it has been VERY crowded. |
Second_ave Member Username: Second_ave
Post Number: 6 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 68.40.223.253
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 8:27 pm: | |
Does anyone know what kind of role PPS played in the development of CM? |
Detroit_stylin Member Username: Detroit_stylin
Post Number: 2133 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.202.227.12
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 8:29 pm: | |
CM has always crowded, from the moment that it opened up to the the last time I walked by there which was Saturday night. I really don;t believe that it is just a 'novelty' anymore... |
Sharmaal Member Username: Sharmaal
Post Number: 482 Registered: 09-2004 Posted From: 69.14.76.187
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 8:42 pm: | |
3rdworldcity - I've got a suggestion. MOVE TO F-ING TORONTO! |
Saabdriver1986 Member Username: Saabdriver1986
Post Number: 362 Registered: 04-2004 Posted From: 65.48.7.186
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 9:02 pm: | |
Toronto kicks ass |
Gistok Member Username: Gistok
Post Number: 1635 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 4.229.81.148
| Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 - 9:37 pm: | |
Sharmaal, don't be so hard on him.... he's a business owner downtown! Plus Toronto is trying to get out of a tourism slump. The one thing that Toronto's City Hall Square is missing (IIRC) is intimacy. It (the square) doesn't have the warmth or human scale that CM has. Otherwise they would have been on the list. The same is true for Chicago. |
Toolbox
Member Username: Toolbox
Post Number: 789 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 65.196.220.198
| Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 12:03 pm: | |
quote:3rdworldcity I was at CM Sat AM. Wanted to take some folks to the new breakfast place (at 11 A.M.) but was not about to wait over an hour for seats (for 3.)
I recommend Honest Johns for a weekend breakfast. No waiting and very good food at a reasonable price. |
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity
Post Number: 171 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 68.251.224.44
| Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 12:30 pm: | |
Gistock: Thanks. Shar almost hurt my feelings there for a minute. (I thought my post was positive about Campus Martius. I am.) You're right about the intimacy factor. Toolbox: I agree Re: Honest John's. However, I've heard so many rave reviews about the new place (can't remember the name) despite the allegedly high prices, that I really want to try it. I have no patience, however. I'll try again. |
Sharmaal Member Username: Sharmaal
Post Number: 483 Registered: 09-2004 Posted From: 136.2.1.153
| Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 1:34 pm: | |
3rdworldcity - Yeah, I wasn't so nice there. Gut reaction. Apologies. |
Merchantgander Member Username: Merchantgander
Post Number: 1411 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 150.198.164.127
| Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 3:04 pm: | |
3wc, there is always at least an hour wait on weekends. If you can't wait go during the week for breakfast. |
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity
Post Number: 172 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 68.251.224.44
| Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 3:21 pm: | |
Sharmaal: No harm, no foul. Comparing Detroit and Toronto is like comparing apples to oranges...both are good. Merchantgander: Good advice and that's what I'm going to do. I hope it's as good as everyone says and I'm sure it will be. |
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa
Post Number: 78 Registered: 09-2005 Posted From: 198.103.184.76
| Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 5:31 pm: | |
No Toronto bashing here, but Nathan Phillips Square is a concrete beach with a pond (or rink in the winter) straight out of the 1960s. The rink is a good size and the location is excellent, but Nathan Phillips Square has more in common with Hart Plaza than CM. Hart Plaza with a rink would not make the list either. © Copyright 1998, 2005, Hans Boldt & Sylvana Grisonich-Boldt http://www.boldts.net/Tor0.shtml |
Mike Member Username: Mike
Post Number: 527 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.41.109.36
| Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 5:53 pm: | |
Planning on going to C-M Park, going to take a few suburban friends who do not venture into Downtown. Would like to take them to see the tree and the decorations. Are those still going to be up after Christmas? None of us can find time to meet till this Monday. Plus, should I plan this before sun down, or afternoon is fine. Any Dinner/Desert Ideas? |
Mackinaw Member Username: Mackinaw
Post Number: 1088 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 141.213.173.94
| Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 6:32 pm: | |
During the winter CM seems busier at night. The skating rink is really full on weekend nights. Dinner: there's so much within walking distance. Greektown, Hard Rock, anything on Broadway or Harmonie Park. The tree should be up at least through New Year's, right? |
Young_detroiter Member Username: Young_detroiter
Post Number: 158 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 69.209.150.189
| Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 7:29 pm: | |
The tree may remain until the Super Bowl...The fountain has heating capability, but last winter it was not used at all during the cold season. |
3rdworldcity Member Username: 3rdworldcity
Post Number: 173 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 68.251.224.44
| Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 8:13 pm: | |
Check out Upinottawa's link above. Very worthwhile. The spectacular Toronto City Hall was, I recall, designed by Detroit architect Yamasaki(?). The site's worth a look. For those that mourn J. L. Hudson's Detroit store, the Bay Company department store is across the street from the park. Est. in 1630, it's Canada's oldest company, and a visit will evoke memories of Hudson's. |
S_marshall Member Username: S_marshall
Post Number: 30 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 72.138.72.51
| Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 9:11 pm: | |
Toronto City Hall and the square were designed by Finnish architect Viljo Revell, selected from an international competition around 1960 - good thing too, as nearly all the other designs were dull, or would have dated very quickly. Nathan Phillips Square (the official, and still best-known name for the square) is a grand square, built to host massive rallies, concerts and other events (and does this very well). The rink is amazing. Though it is a concrete field, and not the kind of place that would attract one to say have lunch on a sunny afternoon (too hot). NPS and CM are completely different in terms of function and design, and for what they do, they do it well, though NPS really needs a facelift. Next door to NPS is the Osgoode Hall grounds, open to the public and a much quieter and pleasant place to sit and relax. (Message edited by S_Marshall on December 20, 2005) |
Danindc Member Username: Danindc
Post Number: 1134 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.100.158.10
| Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - 9:30 pm: | |
I personally think the park in front of the Ontario Parliament building is a far more attractive place. |