March 14, 2006
Tiger, Tiger, turning blight
The imminent demise of Tiger Stadium is being declared yet again, with an article in the Detroit News declaring that a decision to demolish the former home of the Tigers could come this summer. "We've given it an honest and long look to redevelop it," Fred Rottach of the Detroit planning department told the News. "Now, the time has come to either keep it or not keep it." Because you can never have enough vacant lots.
The most interesting part of the story is the comments page, where a poster named Steve Thomas writes: "As a potential developer who met with both [the city of Detroit and Tigers execs], I can honestly say that there was NEVER any serious consideration given to any of the proposals for an alternative use of the ball park. Ilitch is afraid of competition for his less-than-successful Comerica Park and has enjoyed milking the city for $400,000 per year to 'maintain' Tiger Stadium."
That annual $400,000 payment, drawn from ticket taxes and never adequately audited to see where it's being spent, runs out this year, which is one reason the city says it needs to demolish the stadium; however, baseball organizer Peter Comstock Riley has offered to pay for maintaining the park in exchange for the right to hold minor-league games there. So far he's been turned down flat.
—Neil deMause
I think that Tiger Stadium would make the perfect home for a MLS Detroit expansion team.
Posted by Bertell Ollman on March 14, 2006 06:27 PM
You're right Bertell but you know, I know and everybody knows that the city of Detroit and Tigers owner Mike Ilitch is not going to let that happen and who would get a MLS franchise for Detroit anyways.
Posted by Daniel on March 15, 2006 05:08 PM
There is also a good proposal from Steve Thomas in the Detroit News. The field could be fairly cheaply converted to its original configuration of 12,000-15,000 seats and used by Wayne State University or perhaps a minor league or Pioneer League team.
Posted by Bill on March 16, 2006 11:01 AM
A local Detroit investor in the past had expressed interest in bringing a MLS expansion team to Detroit. I do not know if Tiger Stadium had been considered. However if you look at Tiger stadium now, and imagine a soccer field there, it makes perfect sense. the stadium out field already has a roof for the fans, which is perfect for soccer.
Posted by Bertell Ollman on March 16, 2006 01:44 PM
I understand. I've seen the picture of a soccer field in Tiger Stadium in the past. Tiger Stadium may or may not have been considered as a home venue for a Detroit MLS franchise. It's possible but very unlikely.
Posted by Daniel on March 17, 2006 05:27 PM
Although I have moved far away from Detroit, I will always have in my heart, the memories of warm summer night at Tiger Stadium. I understand and applaud the city's efforts, particularly those of Fred Rottach, to save this magnificant piece of Detroit History.
Posted by kathleen gross on August 12, 2007 01:08 PM
Although I have moved far away from Detroit, I will always have in my heart, the memories of warm summer nights at Tiger Stadium. I understand and applaud the city's efforts, particularly those of Fred Rottach, to save this magnificant piece of Detroit History.
Posted by kathleen gross on August 12, 2007 01:10 PM