MEMORANDUM

TO: WALT WATKINS,

PLANNING & DEV. DEPT.

DAVID WHITAKER,

RESEARCH & ANALYSIS DIVISION

FROM: MARYANN MAHAFFEY

DATE: MARCH 9, 2005

RE: DEMOLITION OF STATLER HILTON HOTEL

The Statler Hilton Hotel is owned by the City of Detroit, managed by the Planning & Development Department. PDD nor any other agency has requested approval from City Council to demolish the Statler, as is mandated by Section 4-112 of the Charter for the City of Detroit.

Demolition of the Statler is ongoing despite this lack of approval. A letter from the Law Department to Mr. Nemecek, Jr., states that because the building is owned by the City of Detroit, it does not require approval from City Council.

1. To RAD, please opine on the Law Department response to Mr. Nemecek, Jr., and whether City Council approval is needed for the demolition of the Statler.

2. To PDD, please explain why demolition is proceeding without City Council approval. Please explain to City Council what the plans are for the site. Please provide information about the condition of the Statler Hilton, including specific inspection documents.

3. To PDD, please explain to City Council the reason for not exploring rehabilitation options. There is a developer, HRI from New Orleans that has expressed interest in developing the Statler. Please explain why this is not a viable option.

I am requesting that the City Clerk schedule a hearing on this issue within one week. Please include Walt Watkins, David Whitaker, Amru Meah and Francis Grunow, executive director of Preservation Wayne, in this hearing.

Thank you.

cc: Council colleagues

Jackie Currie

Marsha Bruhn

Kandia Milton

MM:sg