Detroit Job-Seekers Crowd Cobo Center, Hoping To Land Work On New Red Wings Arena

DETROIT (WWJ) - Metro Detroiters turned out in big numbers to get in on the action to build a new downtown Red Wings hockey arena and entertainment district.

"Together we're gonna create one of the world's finest sports and entertainment districts right here in Detroit," said Ilitch Holdings President and CEO Chris Ilitch to a round of applause on Tuesday.

Ilitch spoke at the newly-renovated Cobo Center where the first of several career opportunity fairs was held for Detroiters hoping to fill some of the estimated 1,400 construction jobs.

"We want this place to be Michigan-made and Detroit-built; and it all starts right here, right now," Ilitch told WWJ's Vickie Thomas and other reporters. "So it's very exciting to have a lot of folks coming out with all of these incredible resources here to help folks understand what they gotta do to get prepared to get these great jobs."

Ilitch said the goal is to fill more than half of these jobs with Detroit residents.

"We have a very high unemployment rate in Detroit, and I think that we just haven't seen this kind of momentum, seen this kind of hope," said Pamela Moore, head of Detroit Employment Solutions.

Added Pat Devlin of the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council: "A lot of our residents that are in the trades already are just getting back to the table. We've been through a lot of long years of unemployment."

Among those hoping to land a job is Bonita Langer of Brownstown. "In the management area...Opportunities: I'm looking for them," she said.

Richard Briggs of Highland Park is working to get certified as a welder.

"This is a great opportunity for someone who is, you know, really looking to advance from minimum wage to, you know, a great paying job — a career," Briggs said. "It's a real surprise to me to see everyone out here right now."

Ilitch said they're hoping to do a lot of hiring over the winter before heavy excavation work begins in the spring.

Those interested in a job can visit DistrictDetroit.com/jobs for more information.

[Read more about the arena project HERE].