Statewide "Partners" Break Ground On New Red Wings Arena (VIDEO)
By Edward Cardenas
DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - A new chapter in the storied history of Hockeytown began Thursday as city and state officials joined with representatives of the Ilitch family of companies to break ground on The District Detroit sports and entertainment development.
Echoing the lyrics from Eminem's hit song "Lose Yourself," Ilitch Holdings CEO Christopher Ilitch praised the many partners who made the new development on Woodward, north of I-75, possible.
"Today is the day we start creating," said Ilitch, who paid tribute to his parents Mike and Marian Ilitch who have been committed to Detroit for decades. "This is our one opportunity to build a world-class sports and entertainment district in the heart of Detroit. One that rivals anything in our country."
Hundreds of the local dignitaries, community members and other filled The District Detroit kick-off and ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday on Woodward, where the arena will be built.
The centerpiece of the new project is the $450 million, 20,000-seat stadium that will be the new home to the Detroit Red Wings, and will host a variety of other events. In addition to the arena, the Ilitch family will oversee a nearly $200 million development of five neighborhoods around the new arena, the Fox Theatre and Comerica Park.
Mayor Mike Duggan said the project is a partnership between the Ilitch family and the community, and will employ 3,000 construction jobs with a goal of 51 percent of those jobs going to Detroiters. Additionally, there will be apprenticeship jobs that will be established for to teach the trades for this project, and become career skills.
"What is so unique about this is you have the ownership, the Ilitch family, driving the development of the community, new housing , new shops new restaurants," said Duggan. "The entire area is being rebuilt. We are going to do this as a true partnership."
The partnership between the state and the project was also highlighted by Gov. Rick Snyder, who described the project which brought a number of parties together that will be a destination for people from around the world.
"This isn't just about an arena, this is about a spirit of city, this is about a state of mind, about saying this is a great place to not only play,... it's a place to work. It's a place to live that's special," said Snyder.
Following the groundbreaking, and for the next 10 days, Olympia Entertainment and the Detroit Red Wings will host a District Detroit Block Party. The free, family friendly event will feature Detroit Red Wings Experience games and synthetic ice skating.
Construction is expected to start this fall, with completion of the project expected in 2017.
