Today, a plan has finally been revealed and approved by local government and business leaders that will entail a $221 million upgrade, expansion and overhaul to the Cobo Center in order to keep the convention center a competitive destination for major auto shows.
"When we started out on this process, we rejected the idea that this should be merely 'good enough,'" said Larry Alexander, chairman of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority, the appointed body designated to oversee the Cobo Center since being transferred to The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority in 2009. "We want to make this the kind of first-class facility it was years ago."
The changes are expected to come in phases, with the first two phases already completed, although they were mostly catered towards bringing electrical and other behind-the-scenes equipment up to date. The full process is expected to last until 2014, with most of the construction occurring during summer sessions.
