|
Friday, 8 December, 2006 6:14 PM
New
Plan for Cobo Center Proposed at $968 Million
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
This
is the Cobo Conference and Exhibition Center in downtown Detroit.
Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano has introduced a plan to expand
Cobo Center. His plan is one of the most aggressive ever proposed.
The plan would create 270,000 square feet of exhibit space and a
raised walkway to the RenCen at the cost of $968 million.
Where is
all that money going to come from? Mr. Ficano said the funds would
come from extending the hotel and liquor tax for another 35 years.
It is set to expire in the year 2015. About $425 million of the
cost would go towards the construction of the walkway and expansion
of the existing building. In addition, $20 million would be used
to purchase Cobo from the city of Detroit. A coalition of Wayne,
Oakland, Macomb counties along with the state of Michigan and the
city of Detroit would operate the center under his plan.
Cobo Center
currently offers 700,000 square feet of exhibit space. If this plan
is put into place, the center would be able to offer just under
one million square feet of exhibit space. Automakers are looking
for more space to display their vehicles during the North American
International Auto Show. Nearly ever inch of space will be used
at the 2007 show. If Cobo Center is not expanded in the upcoming
years, the NAIAS might lose it's international flair.
Robert Ficano
said, "We're to the point where it has to be a success,
because failure is not an option." The Wayne County
Executive added, "It fits, and the best part is it
does not raise taxes."
Under Ficano's
plan, Cobo Arena would have to be demolished. A new structure will
be built with more exhibition space becoming available. The Riverfront
Ballroom would also be converted into exhibition space. A raised
walkway would be built to connect the RenCen to Cobo. It would go
above Hart Plaza. Loading docks for Cobo Center will be improved.
It will help to lessen the set-up time for the NAIAS.
No new taxes
would be created to finance these changes. Just an extension of
the hotel and liquor tax that is already on the books. The center
would be operated by tri-county leaders, the state and the city
of Detroit. The center would be managed by Walbridge Aldinger contractcing
firlm and Hines Interests, the development firm that operates the
RenCen. The changes would allow Cobo to be more competitive with
the Rock Financial Showplace, which has taken business away from
the Detroit expo center.
Detroit
Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick supports the plan proposed by Ficano.
Kilpatrick said, "I think it's a great start. I'm so
grateful that Bob Ficano stayed focused on this issue."
The mayor once introduced a plan to expand the center but it didn't
take off. Kilpatrick believes that Ficano's plan could work. The
NAIAS has committed to staying in Detroit through 2009.
The Detroit
Regional Chamber has responded to the proposed plan. "We
strongly encourage the regions leaders to collaborate among each
other and with the business community to develop a viable solution
for creating a world-class convention center," said
President and CEO Richard E. Blouse Jr. "We look forward
to reviewing the specifics of the proposal, but it is imperative
for the Detroit Region as the automotive world capital that the
North American International Auto Show remains here."
Oakland
County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has long been considered a
voice of the suburbs. Patterson would like to let voters in Wayne,
Oakland and Macomb counties to decide if the plan gets the green
light or not. He said, "I could with a straight face
take it to the public for a vote, and it may well pass. But I think
35 years is objectionable from the start." Patterson
expressed that he would support the plan but not extend the taxes
for quite as long.
Robert Thibodeau,
a senior co-chair of the 2007 NAIAS is very pleased with the plans
proposed by Ficano. He believes that the changes would keep foreign
and domestic automakers at the Detroit show for many years to come.
"That’s very comfortable for us,"
Thibodeau said.
AmericaJR.com
will broadcast LIVE from the 2007 North American International Auto
Show. Seven members of our web team will be bringing you the BEST
Coverage, Period. Look for hundreds of pictures, reviews and interviews.
Click
here for our coverage of the NAIAS.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
The
Wayne County Executive's plan would create a raised walkway from
Cobo to the Renaissance Center, pictured here.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
A
look at the main entrance to Cobo Center on Washington Blvd.
Cobo
Center is home to the 2007
NAIAS.
|
