Preliminary Plans For Old Tiger Stadium Site Approved
By Edward Cardenas
DETROIT (CBS Local) - Baseball, and other uses, may return to the corner of Michigan and Trumbull under a preliminary agreement approved by the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit with Detroit PAL and Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy.
Under the terms of the agreement, Detroit PAL will build a new headquarters next to a youth baseball field in the same area as the original ball filed.
"This time all the significant stakeholders agreed to get it right," said George W. Jackson, Jr., president and CEO of Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, which is the lead agency for redeveloping the site on behalf of the City of Detroit, said in a release. "Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy had an idea to preserve the site's place in baseball's past, Detroit PAL works with young baseball players to give them a better future. Together they have the opportunity to create a very active place. With the mixed use development we also expect, this site will be significant in the continuing revitalization of Corktown."
The entire site of the former stadium is nearly 9.5 acres, and Detroit PAL is considering placing its proposed new headquarters along Cochrane.
Two areas along Michigan and Trumbull will be reserved for residential, retail or commercial redevelopment, the DEGC stated in a release. The youth field will cover nearly the same footprint as the former baseball field.
According to the memorandum of understanding, Economic Development Corp., Detroit PAL and the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy have conditional rights to develop the area along the Fisher Freeway Service Drive between Cochrane and Trumbull.
The development partners have until the end of September to provide a financial plan and other details for the project. Currently, the Conservancy has a $3 million federal earmark that can be used for redevelopment of the site to support youth recreation
"Our cooperation with Detroit PAL is historic and is the foundation for a tremendous development for the youth of Detroit and the future of the city," Thomas W. Linn, chair of the Conservancy said in a release.
