Detroit planning commissioners withheld support Thursday for a proposal to demolish Tiger Stadium because of insufficient planning.

The Detroit Economic Growth Corp. submitted a proposal to raze the structure to make room for commercial and residential development. Planning commissioners said they didn't support the proposal because economic growth officials did not have developers in place or a strategy outlined for the land after demolition.

"This is one of the toughies," Commissioner Robert Glenn said. He told economic growth officials to "get down and work hard and come up with a solution."

Detroit Economic Growth project manager Scott Veldhuis said the demolition would cost about $2.9 million, later adding that steel and other material in the stadium could be sold to help pay for the demolition.

Several residents were upset about the proposal.

"Why not turn it into an amusement park?" asked one speaker, adding that the city needs an attraction that will generate revenue.

Another speaker, developer Lou Beer of Clarkston, said he submitted a proposal years ago to reconstruct the stadium, but received the same ruling as the economic growth corporation.

"We were told by the city that we could not proceed unless we had all of our funding in place before we started," he said.

But unlike others present, Beer said he supports the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy, which is working with economic growth officials to preserve some parts of the stadium. Conservancy member Jeff Wattrick said the organization wanted to use the area for a youth baseball facility, among other initiatives. But at this point, he's unsure whether city officials would support their goals.

"They decided not to act on a motion without debating it, and that seemed very odd to me," he said. "But we're going to keep moving forward with our plan and our work."

Beer said the two groups have to plan more. "This gives them time and gives a clear indication that the planning commission supports a clear plan before they vote, and that's what we need."

Veldhuis said the issue will now go to the Detroit City Council for discussion at its July 9 meeting. "We're requesting that City Council take action on a resolution for the project plan."