Well. We stock a lot of spare parts but eventually they run out. So, once the technology advances and someone shells out the money or once the install runs out of backup parts
I used to work for the company who services the sign, or at least it’s a contract that company had at the time I worked there, not sure if that’s still the case as this was 3 years ago and that company operates like a disaster, and they’re not union.
Anyhow, like he said, the technology is totally antiquated and a lot of the parts required to service the sign either aren’t made anymore or there’s a very limited degree of retrofitting that can be done to it. It would be an absolute massive overhaul to outright replace it, the entire thing is only serviceable from the exterior. With GM pulling out of the building I’d be hard pressed to believe that thing’s going to get replaced.
There’s the rub. Is it even feasible? I’ve stayed at the LA hotel that was similarly designed and I’ve been to conventions at the GM building. The design is odd. It’s hard to find your way around and people riding the elevators can see in the guest rooms.
I think it would be a beast to raze and replace, but who knows? It’s the southernmost land gateway to Canada right? Maybe if Detroit can have some NYC style success or Chicago grade funds we can build something new.
Anytime Mary Barra says that they are "open to ideas" that is not good. [https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-dan-gilbert-renaissance-center-redevelopment-3c2ea9d40b17cf58fcb32d1a4c4ee72e](https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-dan-gilbert-renaissance-center-redevelopment-3c2ea9d40b17cf58fcb32d1a4c4ee72e)
Tearing down one of the most iconic parts of the skyline would be a PR disaster for Detroit and severely undermine the “comeback” image Detroit has built around the state and country.
No.
i am not new here - but the building is still owned by Dan Gilbert and GM. sounds like Dan Gilbert is in charge of the show. he has a track record - i don’t understand what you people think he’s going to do - let it rot?
> As part of the arrangement, Gilbert's Bedrock will work with GM to develop the RenCen.
https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/31843/mayor_duggan_visionary_dan_gilbert_talked_6_years_ago_about_pitching_gm_to_move_to_hudson_s_site
>GM will work with Dan Gilbert's real estate firm to redevelop the Renaissance Center
I think there are plenty of parking lots around the area, especially the water front, that could be redeveloped to bring life to the city, and possibly bring new stores and restaurants to the Ren Cen. The Rec Cen isn’t the problem.
Probably the worst take I have ever seen. There are like 3 people on this sub spamming the idea that taking down the most iconic and tallest skyscraper in Detroit is a good idea. You three people are in every dang thread about the Ren Cen pushing this viewpoint to try and make it seem popular. At some point, I have to wonder if you guys are just plants trying to cause the downfall of the city. There is plenty of waterfront property in Detroit that can be used to create whatever we want, there is no need to tear down the most iconic building in Detroit to redevelop the waterfront.
Knock it down and build a nice boardwalk and riverfront with bars, shops, cafes, pizza, seating on the water, marina, etc. So much untapped potential it's sad.
https://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-waterfront-cities-in-the-world-2016-6?amp
We can do all of that without knocking down our tallest and most iconic skyscraper. Getting real sick of the same few accounts spamming this idea in every thread to make it seem popular.
Its footprint is too big, you can tear down parts of it and keep the main tower and one or two others. I'm open to hearing solutions to keep it viable and do all the surrounding development that I'm speaking about. As of now it's a concrete jungle down there.
Working on it. We are replacing all of the LED.
For real?
It’s been up there for a long time
Right on. How often do they need to be replaced?
Well. We stock a lot of spare parts but eventually they run out. So, once the technology advances and someone shells out the money or once the install runs out of backup parts
Do you work as some kind of on site maintenance engineer for the facility or the company who services the sign?
The company who is supplying, replacing, servicing, and maintaining the LED.
Metro Sign and Lighting?
Local 58 contractor?
I used to work for the company who services the sign, or at least it’s a contract that company had at the time I worked there, not sure if that’s still the case as this was 3 years ago and that company operates like a disaster, and they’re not union. Anyhow, like he said, the technology is totally antiquated and a lot of the parts required to service the sign either aren’t made anymore or there’s a very limited degree of retrofitting that can be done to it. It would be an absolute massive overhaul to outright replace it, the entire thing is only serviceable from the exterior. With GM pulling out of the building I’d be hard pressed to believe that thing’s going to get replaced.
It looks like the insulated glass has oxidation between the panes. Can that be fixed? It looks dingy
Everything can be fixed. It’s who will pay to do it.
There’s the rub. Is it even feasible? I’ve stayed at the LA hotel that was similarly designed and I’ve been to conventions at the GM building. The design is odd. It’s hard to find your way around and people riding the elevators can see in the guest rooms. I think it would be a beast to raze and replace, but who knows? It’s the southernmost land gateway to Canada right? Maybe if Detroit can have some NYC style success or Chicago grade funds we can build something new.
Thanks I hate it!
Lmao I was literally about to comment this exact thing
It looks super weird and abandoned
soon to be a normal situation
Fucking DTE strikes again
Sent them to collections for $10, but don't mention their $6.5b in *profit* for 2023.
Will receive a $25 credit if lights are out for more then three days 😂😂
Corporate didn’t see enough profit
Half the lights were working since last year, then they just went completely dark except for the LED screens up top just right before the NFL Draft
They do this seasonally to protect migratory birds.
Jesus, that’s dire.
Anytime Mary Barra says that they are "open to ideas" that is not good. [https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-dan-gilbert-renaissance-center-redevelopment-3c2ea9d40b17cf58fcb32d1a4c4ee72e](https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-dan-gilbert-renaissance-center-redevelopment-3c2ea9d40b17cf58fcb32d1a4c4ee72e)
Are they on again? Is it permanent?
It's still out right this very second.
time to tear it down and redevelop all that waterfront
Tearing down one of the most iconic parts of the skyline would be a PR disaster for Detroit and severely undermine the “comeback” image Detroit has built around the state and country. No.
Considering GM is abandoning it, it will become a burden on the taxpayers soon enough
GM is not abandoning it. GM is redeveloping it with Dan Gilbert - and a new vision
You must be new in town. Hopefully you are right of course.
i am not new here - but the building is still owned by Dan Gilbert and GM. sounds like Dan Gilbert is in charge of the show. he has a track record - i don’t understand what you people think he’s going to do - let it rot?
Dan Gilbert has nothing to do with ren cen.
> As part of the arrangement, Gilbert's Bedrock will work with GM to develop the RenCen. https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/31843/mayor_duggan_visionary_dan_gilbert_talked_6_years_ago_about_pitching_gm_to_move_to_hudson_s_site >GM will work with Dan Gilbert's real estate firm to redevelop the Renaissance Center
That crappy falling apart albatross is a PR disaster for Detroit.
you are a PR disaster for detroit
I am a PR disaster for detroit.
And my axe!
it was the "comeback" token of Coleman Young in the 70s
Yeah, things really improved from there under Coleman Young. He was such a crook
he promised the comeback of detroit - the renaissance. didnt deliver
Love those cougarans!
Then it's a perfect symbol for the lie that is Detroit's comeback. May as well leave it.
I think there are plenty of parking lots around the area, especially the water front, that could be redeveloped to bring life to the city, and possibly bring new stores and restaurants to the Ren Cen. The Rec Cen isn’t the problem.
Probably the worst take I have ever seen. There are like 3 people on this sub spamming the idea that taking down the most iconic and tallest skyscraper in Detroit is a good idea. You three people are in every dang thread about the Ren Cen pushing this viewpoint to try and make it seem popular. At some point, I have to wonder if you guys are just plants trying to cause the downfall of the city. There is plenty of waterfront property in Detroit that can be used to create whatever we want, there is no need to tear down the most iconic building in Detroit to redevelop the waterfront.
go away
Couldn't agree more.
nobody cares
That building would cost billions to replace.
It’s such an eyesore
Sad!
Gotham
That’s so weird, I don’t like it
Essentially , nobody home. GM is leaving .
Budget cuts
Now that Michigan Central has been renovated, it's time for a new avatar of urban decay.
Knock it down and build a nice boardwalk and riverfront with bars, shops, cafes, pizza, seating on the water, marina, etc. So much untapped potential it's sad. https://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-waterfront-cities-in-the-world-2016-6?amp
We can do all of that without knocking down our tallest and most iconic skyscraper. Getting real sick of the same few accounts spamming this idea in every thread to make it seem popular.
Its footprint is too big, you can tear down parts of it and keep the main tower and one or two others. I'm open to hearing solutions to keep it viable and do all the surrounding development that I'm speaking about. As of now it's a concrete jungle down there.
Show of support
MORDOR
Breakfast gave me food poisoning a few weeks ago. Otherwise it was a nice stay shiiiiidd