The Pistons are in talks to move to downtown Detroit, and if The Palace of Auburn Hills "shutters, there is virtually no chance it would become a vacant eyesore like the Pontiac Silverdome" after the Lions moved to Ford Field, according to John Gallagher of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. If Pistons Owner Tom Gores "moves the Pistons downtown he could either sell the Palace or redevelop the site himself in short order." That "makes a potential Pistons move to downtown a lot less threatening for Oakland County than it might otherwise become." One option if the Pistons move "would be for Gores to reprogram the Palace mainly for more concerts plus trade shows and other events." However, demolition "seems the most likely course if the Pistons move, given the potential value of the site for redevelopment." The fact that the Palace is "privately owned could be an advantage should the Pistons move." Gores "would be in a position to quickly decide on the future of the site," but that would not be so if the Palace "were publicly owned." Gallagher noted the "biggest objection to razing the Palace lies in its relative youthfulness." That such an "innovative design could be scrapped after a mere three decades epitomizes a throwaway culture." The Palace cost about $140M to build in the mid-'80s, and both Gores and the late Bill Davidson "poured tens of millions of dollars into upgrades." To "write that off now and raze the arena could be viewed as a colossal waste." Gallagher: "Or, perhaps, it could be viewed as a smart real estate move. If the site becomes more valuable with a Pistons move, demolition and redevelopment may represent the only game in town" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 10/16).
COMPLEX SENTENCE: In Detroit, Bill Shea noted the future of the Palace is "one of the negotiation points" between Red Wings parent company Olympia Entertainment and Gores' Palace Sports & Entertainment for a Pistons downtown move. Sources said that "negotiations have accelerated." However, the "talks are deeply complex, and could end up stymied." In terms of revenue, it is a "near certainty the Palace will lose business to Little Caesars Arena." Entertainment industry sources "expect Little Caesars Arena to be the first choice for concert promoters." So a Pistons move "would have a big impact on the local market for concerts and events -- and could mean fewer of them" (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 10/16).
