FAQ

What improvements are you making?
The goals of the planned addition and facility improvements are:

• Elevate the quality of programming and the patron experience;

• Preserve and reduce pressure on the 110-year-old Alger House, which is a nationally-recognized historic landmark, designed by Charles A. Platt;

• Honor the original garden designs envisioned by Ellen Biddle Shipman in the front of the property;

• Improve accessibility throughout The War Memorial campus, including better traffic flow, design, amenities, entryways, and access to the gardens and lakefront grounds.

Why are these improvements necessary?
Maintaining the Alger family’s generous gift, made to our community more than 70 years ago, is part of our commitment to ensure we have a thriving facility that supports our patrons and mission of providing access to arts, culture, and humanities from across the region and the country. This new endeavor ensures the longevity of the historic house and affords us the opportunity to expand the quality and depth of our cultural and patriotic programming.

What are some of the issues you’ve encountered and how will these changes resolve those?
We need to preserve and reduce pressure on the 110-year-old Alger House, which is a nationally-recognized historic landmark, designed by Charles A. Platt. We also need to improve accessibility throughout The War Memorial campus, including better traffic flow, design, amenities, entryways, and access to the gardens and lakefront grounds. 

What purposes will the addition serve and how will it be used?
Our plans are for an exciting, beautiful and flexible space that can be used for performances, community events, dances, luncheons and classes. 

How will you ensure that you will not inconvenience your neighbors?
Our neighbors are very important to us – which is why we met proactively with them earlier this year. Our goal remains to receive their feedback on our plans and keep them informed, as good neighbors do.

Will traffic increase on Lake Shore Drive/Jefferson and in the surrounding neighborhoods?
Because we are not planning on increasing the volume of our activities, we are not expecting an increase in local traffic. 

How are you going to ensure you have enough parking for all these new visitors?
The War Memorial will not increase the volume of its activities.

What will it cost and who is paying for these changes?
We are not disclosing the funding at this time. However, the philanthropy and effort supporting the facility upgrades is led by members of the Alger family, who are supporting the development and preservation of their ancestral home, built in 1910, and contributed to the community to form The War Memorial in 1949.

Will any of these changes be paid for with taxpayer dollars?
No. The War Memorial does not receive tax-based funding.

How did you receive public feedback on these plans?
The War Memorial has actively engaged the community through a number of mechanisms, including:

• Multiple community work sessions with neighbors, partners, stakeholders, and patrons (December 2019 through February 2020);

• Public city council meetings and work sessions (January and February 2020)

• Media announcements via the Grosse Pointe News and Grosse Pointe Times, both in print and online (January, February, and July 2020)

• A digital community survey sent to active War Memorial patrons (Fall 2019)

When did you survey the community and how? What was the response rate?
In Fall 2019, we surveyed 9,000 active War Memorial patrons with a six percent return rate via email. Analysis of the data found:

• Respondents would like improved facilities with greater accessibility, streamlined entryways and traffic flow, and improved restrooms; 

• Ninety percent of respondents identified the organization’s arts, culture, and humanities programming as a primary reason for visiting.

It sounds like you want to be a venue for arts and culture, will you remain committed to supporting veteran causes?
Yes. The War Memorial will continue to be a place that celebrates the ideals of American democracy. 

Are you changing your name?
No.

How will this work impact the grounds and Lake St. Clair?
We take our responsibility of stewarding the shoreline that abuts the property very seriously. A sustainability task force will be appointed to evaluate the needs of the building and grounds going forward, including water, solar and energy conservation, and resources.

Who designed the addition?
Tryba Architects of Denver, Colorado, created renderings, site planning, and original conceptual designs. Lead Design Principal David Tryba, FAIA, is related to the Alger family. Detroit-based ROSSETTI has since taken over the architectural work, honoring the original aesthetic of the Charles A. Platt house and Ellen Biddle Shipman garden designs.

How will this affect your current programming?
The War Memorial does not intend to increase the volume of its activities, but we do plan to elevate the quality of programming and the patron experience.

Will these changes disrupt special events planned at your location, like weddings?
No.

Are you kicking out any groups as a result of these changes?
No.

Do you have a question that is not answered here?

Please feel free to contact us online, or via email at feedback@warmemorial.org. We’re here to answer your questions. (Please note: Due to concerns about COVID-19 and the health of the public and our staff, we kindly request that all questions and feedback be presented digitally.)