Olympia Development of Michigan announced plans Sunday for a sports and entertainment district that will feature a new arena for the Detroit Red Wings. It will transform dozens of underutilized blocks between downtown and midtown Detroit.
The district will encompass dozens of blocks along and near Woodward Avenue. Development will be integrated with existing sports and entertainment venues in or adjacent to the space, including the Fox Theatre, Comerica Park, MotorCity Casino Hotel, Ford Field, the Detroit Opera House and the Fillmore Detroit.
The Red Wings have been playing their home games at Joe Louis Arena since 1979.
"It's always been my dream to see a vibrant and energized downtown Detroit," Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch said. "I want people to look at Detroit's new sports and entertainment district and see what I see: the potential for something very special. I couldn't be more excited and proud to bring this vision to life."
Development of new, mixed-use neighborhoods in the district will occur concurrently with construction of the arena. Groundbreaking is scheduled for this fall.
"We've done business in Detroit for nearly 50 years, and this is our most significant and ambitious project here yet," said Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings Inc. "Our great city is home to some of the world's most legendary people, teams and venues in sports and entertainment. Detroit deserves no less than the best: a world-class sports and entertainment district we can all be proud of. And that's exactly what we will build."
The Red Wings open the 2014-15 NHL season Oct. 9 at home against the Boston Bruins.
For information, including the press release and project renderings, CLICK HERE.
NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. TV, NHL Premium, NHL After Dark, NHL GameCenter, NHL GameCenter LIVE, NHL Network name and logo, NHL Tonight name and logo, On The Fly, NHL Awards name and logo, NHL Draft name and logo, Hockey Fights Cancer, Because It's The Cup, NHL Green name and logo, NHL Vault, Hockey Is For Everyone, NHL Thanksgiving Showdown name and logo, NHL Centennial Classic name and logo, NHL Centennial Season logo, NHL100 Classic name and logo, NHL Global Series name and logo, NHL China Games name and logo, and Don't Miss A Moment are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2018. All Rights Reserved. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. © Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2018. All Rights Reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.