Big celebration for launch of new Red Wings Arena and 'District Detroit' groundbreaking

By Claudia Lugo/Tell Us Detroit

DETROIT, MI (Tell Us Det) - Detroiters now have something new to celebrate; an exciting new project presented by Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., on September 29th during a well-produced ceremony framed by a beautiful autumn day. This new state of the art sports arena which will be the future home of the Detroit Red Wings and entertainment development that will be called “The District Detroit” and this presentation was the official launching and groundbreaking of the project.

"Today is day of a celebration. The ultimate comeback story", said Ilitch in front of guests and media. “No sports entertainment district in the country has a mix of such amazing property.”

This new district, expected to be finished by 2017, will be located between Woodward Ave, Clifford St., Sproat St and Henry St. Ilitch also added that the M-1 Rail is scheduled to carry people up and down Woodward when it comes online in 2016.


Ilitch organization accelerates private investment of at least $200M for new, mixed-use development to now occur concurrently with arena construction and transform dozens of blighted blocks into five new neighborhoods

The “District Detroit” is going to be a mixed-use neighborhood anchored by an approximately 20,000-seat event center/arena that will be the new home to the Detroit Red Wings, as well as other entertainment, community and sporting events.

The Detroit Events Center (DEC) is going to be a “deconstructed” arena where many of the elements of a professional sports arena are located in freestanding buildings with along with other retail and office uses, rather than being limited to the arena proper.

Governor Rick Snyder, Mayor Mike Duggan and City Council President George Cushingberry, Jr. were present at the ceremony and showed their support and enthusiasm for this project. Mayor Duggan referred to this project as a source of “opportunities for Detroiters all over this project”.


Columbia Park – A fresh, modern neighborhood anchored by a new public green space.

Governor Snyder said, "This is about the spirit of a city, a state of mind, a place to live that's special. I'm fired up for the Detroit arena district groundbreaking! It's a great day for Detroit, the Detroit Red Wings and Michigan!"

This event center will be connected to the freestanding buildings at ground level by a glass-enclosed street and above by walkways. Other uses within the DEC will include offices and retail stores, including the Red Wings’ offices and team store, restaurants, apartments, townhouses, public outdoor gathering spaces, and an approximately 1,200-space parking structure.

The four presenters, Ilitch, Snyder, Duggan and Cushingberry, participated in the groundbreaking ceremony to kick-off the activities on the Arena Site.

Ilitch closed his remarks by referring to Eminem’s hit song “Lose yourself” as an inspiration to this project:



“Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity/To seize everything you ever wanted/One moment/Would you capture it or just let it slip away?”

Interesting facts about “The District Detroit”:

• Event Center/ Arena Footprint: Approximately 785,000 square feet; 12.37 acres

• Boundaries: Woodward Ave. on the east, Henry St. on the south, Clifford St. on the west, and Sproat St. on the north.

• Permanent Street Vacations: A permanent vacation of Park Ave. between Henry St. and Sproat St., and Sibley St. between Clifford and Woodward Ave. will make way for pedestrian traffic and avoid creating an unfriendly, impenetrable superblock. These pedestrian ways also enhance pedestrian circulation and create desirable sight lines.

• Piazza: The central gathering space for pre-event concerts as well as smaller events and festivals. It will remain open to the public when there is not an event, and may be a ticketed venue for separately programmed events. An open pavement concept will be framed with trees at the east, west, and southern ends. Special features such as sculptural elements, light features and/or fountains will activate the space along with a temporary stage and projection screen to support programmed events.

• Furnishings: Moveable furnishings such as café tables and chairs will be used in sidewalk café zones and along the edges of the Piazza. Fixed benches will be incorporated in convenient locations along with bike racks for cyclists. Flagpoles will also be installed at the Woodward Ave. / Sproat St. entrance.

• Via: The glass enclosure that will connect the adjacent buildings to the event center/arena as part of the “deconstructed” design. This area will be generally open to the public during the hours of operation of the adjoining buildings; however access will be limited during events to event participants.

• Bowl of Arena/ Event Center: The bottom elevation of the bowl is approximately 40 feet below grade; the bowl only rises about 75 feet above grade, the height of an eight story building.
• Practice Rink: It is below-grade and approximately 37,300 square feet.

• Parking: One parking structure with approximately 1,200 parking spaces is being proposed. This new structure will be five stories above ground and one below.

• Transit: an M-1 RAIL streetcar station is planned to be located at the northeast entrance. Taxis will be staged along Henry St. and Park Ave. Courtesy shuttles will be encouraged to stage along Clifford St.

• Residential: Approximately 184 units of residential with 16 planned townhouse units.

• Authorized & Prohibited Uses:

o Authorized: Dry-cleaning establishments, brewpub, residential, hotel, exhibition hall, professional or medical office, health club, restaurant, retail, sports arena.
o Unauthorized: Pawn shop, warehouse operations, businesses that involve firearms or hazardous materials, bail bondsman services, topless club, alcohol/drug rehabilitation clinics, psychic or tarot card reading businesses.