July 31, 2007

Harwell marshals Tiger preservation plan

Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell may not have won over the Detroit city council, but he's nonetheless moving ahead with a new plan to save part of Tiger Stadium. Harwell and colleague S. Gary Spicer say they've already raised $300,000 to pay maintenance on the 95-year-old stadium for the next year, and plan to meet with financiers over the next ten days to raise $15-20 million to retain Tiger Stadium in a reduced 10,000-seat "Navin Field" configuration (the original name of the park before it was expanded in the 1930s), with the rest of the site being used for "lofts, stores and music and sports museums," according to the Detroit News. One local greeting-card company has already expressed interest into moving to the site if the ballpark is preserved.

The Detroit Economic Development Growth Corp., the city's economic development arm, declined the offer of maintenance payments, and says it's moving ahead with plans to raze the park - though the council still hasn't actually approved transferring the stadium to the development corporation so it can carry out the demolition. Development corporation president told the News, "We can't stop the process," then added confusingly, "Let's see if they can come up with the firm financing." And if they do, and you really can't stop the process, then what?

One other notable item: Harwell gave his press conference inside Tiger Stadium, and the News described the place as "surprisingly well-maintained," with "peeling paint and cracked cement the only indications of its age." Apparently reports of its decrepitude were premature.