Olympia threatens to delay Red Wings arena project if historic hotel demo not approved

Olympia Development, which is building the Red Wings arena, dropped a bombshell tonight: Crews will delay the project and won’t rehabilitate the historic Eddystone unless the adjacent Hotel Park Avenue is demolished.

The threat came this evening as the Historic District Council was meeting to debate approving the demolition.

Billionaire Mike Ilitch’s company, which received $285 million in public funding to build an arena and entertainment district, claimed a “financial hardship” if it had to rehabilitate the historic Hotel Park Avenue.

Olympia said it does not have an alternative plan if the Hotel Park Avenue is forced to stand.

In an agreement with City Council, Olympia said it would demolish the hotel if it restored the historic Eddystone.

Check back for updates. The meeting is ongoing.

Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.

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