[Dixielandjazz] Simultaneous Gigs - Historical take

[Rob McCallum]

Hi Don and listmates,

The Book-Cadillac is on target for complete renovation.  There's supposed to
be an announcement regarding the groundbreaking some time next week.  I'm on
a Book-Cadillac chat list that has many preservationists and people who work
with the Downtown Development Authority.  Preservationists have pushed for
years that that is one structure that should be saved and restored and,
amazingly enough, it looks like it's going to happen.  The Statler will
probably be razed (the Tuller has been knocked down already) as will the
Madison-Lenox, but there is talk that, if the Book-Cadillac renovation
indeed goes forward, the Fort-Shelby may also get restored.  They want to
have the Book renovation completed beore the Super Bowl which I think is
coming to Detroit in 2005 or 2006.  One of the major chains won the bid
(can't remember offhand if it was Marriot or Hilton).  Hilton is actually
building a brand new hotel in Harmonie Park just behind the Music Hall as
well.

There is an excellent website at www.book-cadillac.org that has a history of
the hotel, pictures from the various eras, and what it looks like at
present.

All the best,
Rob McCallum