The Detroit Red Wings are looking to move out of the aging Joe Louis Arena and move into a brand new, state-of-the-art arena located in the heart of Detroit. Sunday, Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch's plans for a new arena and entertainment district located in the heart of Detroit were revealed to the public. Ilitch plans to build an arena, residential areas, and an outdoor mall covering a deserted 45-block area in the middle of the Motor City. Ilitch, who also owns Little Caesars Pizza and the Detroit Tigers, hopes the new arena, housing, and shopping area can bring great reform to downtown Detroit.
“It’s always been my dream to see a vibrant and energized downtown Detroit,” said Ilitch in a press release. “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.”
Illitch and company also plan on spending $200 million in private investment to turn run-down blocks into areas for people to live and work near Comerica Park and Ford Field. The 85-year-old billionaire hopes to have the downtown sector completed by 2017. They plan on breaking ground this fall. The project is expected to cost nearly $650 million dollars. This is huge for not only the Red Wings, but for the city of Detroit. The city, which has been struggling financially for seemingly forever, will deeply benefit from this development.