Greetings, Ilitch family:

It's me. Francis.

You may know me from my writings and City Council appearances, where I question your plans for the neighborhood around the Little Caesars Arena. Also, you might recall that one time I sued you.

So, it might seem like I'm against you. But honestly, I'm not.

First off, I eat your pizza. Maybe not as much as Supino, but sometimes definitely as much. Or even more. Especially late night. I think whoever in your company came up with Hot-N-Ready should just be spending their whole day at the office getting high fives.

Also, I love the Tigers. Maybe not as much this season. But I do love them. And I've come to enjoy games at Comerica. It's so nice with a brat and beer and that downtown skyline on a summer night. The fireworks are also great. So, thanks for that.

And I love the Red Wings. Maybe not as much this past season. But I love them, too. Their playoff and Stanley Cup streaks are awesome. And their new arena is actually pretty sweet. It's fun to watch the Pistons there. It's so good to have the NBA back downtown!

I clearly love the Fox Theatre. Which makes sense, because you know how I feel about historic preservation. The work you did with the Fox is something to be very proud of. And I think I speak for the entire city when I say we're grateful. Thanks.

And I respect your family's history of being entrepreneurs and building a business from scratch. It's inspiring. We need more of that in Michigan.

Speaking of family business, I know the dynamics there can be tough. Every year I produce a community art parade with what seems like an extended family of creatives and carnies. Each has their own, sometimes truly insane idea of what to do and how to do it, and it doesn't seem to add up. Sound familiar? Yes, it's a wild ride, but sure enough, in the end, we make it work. Anyway, the point is, I get it.

Really, I do.

I just don't want you to tear down any more old Detroit buildings.

That's all.

I think you've torn down enough. Okay, I think you've torn down too many. Way too many. But that's all in the past, right!?! Today's a new day.

Seriously, like a lot of Detroit, I am rooting for you guys. I know you were here before Dan Gilbert. I know you made a choice to move into the city when so few did. I know that you have donated your time and resources to many important causes. All I'm asking is that you stop tearing down Detroit's buildings. Nobody wants you to do it.

Detroit has a history and a beauty worth preserving. There is a growing market for restored buildings in Detroit. Not just some of them. All of them. People love them. They don't have to be big and epic like the train station or Guardian Building. Even ordinary buildings have character and integrity, like the Alden Apartments, that you say needs to come down, or the buildings in the Cass-Henry Historic District. They create a landscape imbued with texture and culture and stories of Detroiters that honestly can't ever be replaced. Do you just not believe it?

So, that's it, really. Just stop tearing down buildings. You could also do something about that vast sea of surface parking. You know, maybe build something — oh, wait, sorry, look what I did there, getting greedy, asking too much! Fine, OK, the parking lots can wait for now. Today, just please don't tear down any more buildings. Please. Stop.

Thanks!

Francis