Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship

GMusa · 06-27-2008, 07:47 PM

Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship

Detroit’s mayor is trying to keep the city’s North American International Auto Show alive and healthy, by introducing an expansion effort to Detroit’s Cobo Hall, the show’s venue. This comes after earlier news that Suzuki will not be present at the 2009 show. The proposed $90 million undertaking would add 80,000 square feet of display space to the venue.

Suzuki’s reason for abandoning the show was a lack of display space, which the plan would address, but other manufacturers, such as Porsche, left in 2008 on account of a poor sales in the area. The added space would come from areas in the Cobo Arena, and the whole plan is meant to act as a short-term fix before a planned larger-scale, $585 million expansion is completed.

“We’re working out the details now,” Deputy Mayor Anthony Adams told the Detroit News. “This will get done. This has to get done. We cannot lose any more vendors.”

How the city will pay for the project is another matter that needs resolving. The plan is to extend taxes on surrounding area hotels that were introduced to help pay for building Cobo Hall back in 1979. The tax is due to expire in 2015, but only $113 million of the $250 million was ever collected. There is also controversy regarding the two-stage revamping of the hall, and who will pay for any unforeseen expenses.

If a way to fund the project is found and it’s approved, the added space would represent a 11.4 percent increase in exhibition space, as Cobo currently offers 700,000 square feet

www.leftlanenews.com

Vittorio · 06-27-2008, 08:05 PM

They have been dragging their feet on this expansion. It is nice to see that something is finally being done, although at the moment it would appear to be only the bare minimum. Years and years this idea has been tossed back and forth but nothing happens. It saddens me that companies have to start leaving the show before things get done. And still I don't feel confident that things will be completed. Cobo Hall is a small ugly building. Things need to happen yesterday not tomorrow.

BrickTamland · 06-27-2008, 08:13 PM

Rename it the Cobocabana, then Barry Manilow can perform there. That will bring in the crowds.

YupYupYup · 06-27-2008, 09:07 PM

They are just now figuring this out? No wonder Detroit is such a dump. Sorry, but the truth...

Penthos · 06-27-2008, 09:41 PM

Maybe they should have sent out some text messages? That might have been more effective?

Seriously, Cobo has needed attention for years and Detroit has just let it go like most everything else in the city. Its a shame.

LAMRONH · 06-27-2008, 10:53 PM

Lack of leadership. The shortage that's killing America.

GMusa · 06-27-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YupYupYup

They are just now figuring this out? No wonder Detroit is such a dump. Sorry, but the truth...

Thats Detroits mayor for ya! Too busy with phone sex instead of doing his job.

GMfan1111 · 06-28-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMusa

Thats Detroits mayor for ya! Too busy with phone sex instead of doing his job.

You said it King Kwame and his thugs are an embarrassment to Detroit. He is so busy having text and and other illicit activities that he has let the city's morale and business fronts deteriorate to the point they are now

Supernoma · 06-28-2008, 01:09 AM

less then a 12% expansion? meh

only thing that concerns me is where the real estate will come from for a significant expansion:
river on one side and streets on the other three. build out to the riverfront?

motorman · 06-28-2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMfan1111

You said it King Kwame and his thugs are an embarrassment to Detroit. He is so busy having text and and other illicit activities that he has let the city's morale and business fronts deteriorate to the point they are now

when people elect illiterates to run the city what do you expect

steverino · 06-28-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMfan1111

You said it King Kwame and his thugs are an embarrassment to Detroit. He is so busy having text and and other illicit activities that he has let the city's morale and business fronts deteriorate to the point they are now

Actually it's only $80M for the upgrade. $10M goes to KwaME

LAMRONH · 06-28-2008, 12:44 PM

Other than the minor problem of funding, why not do as the championship Detroit Lions football team did and go where the real estate is cheaper and the politicians at least approach a room temp IQ?

vcs2600 · 06-28-2008, 01:27 PM

So the city has no money to pay for this, but they're going to spend a half billion so that the automakers can have a show/party for 1 week a year? And as if Detroit doesn't have more pressing needs year around? Talk about poor/corrupt leadership.

Rick 2000 · 06-28-2008, 01:48 PM

Last couple of years have not filled lower level completly , and the vender
that was there looks like fill -ins .

Snafu_SS · 06-28-2008, 01:51 PM

Not knowing where the funding for "unforeseen problems" will come from is a big concern...I work in the industry and am going to school to become an architect...I know that you CAN NOT build anything without an "unforeseen problem"

Here in southern kentucky you can't build a shed without finding a sink hole under it...

06-27-2008, 07:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
GMusa 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: U.S.A!!! Drives: 1998 Ford Taurus SE Posts: 1,932	Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship Detroit’s mayor is trying to keep the city’s North American International Auto Show alive and healthy, by introducing an expansion effort to Detroit’s Cobo Hall, the show’s venue. This comes after earlier news that Suzuki will not be present at the 2009 show. The proposed $90 million undertaking would add 80,000 square feet of display space to the venue. Suzuki’s reason for abandoning the show was a lack of display space, which the plan would address, but other manufacturers, such as Porsche, left in 2008 on account of a poor sales in the area. The added space would come from areas in the Cobo Arena, and the whole plan is meant to act as a short-term fix before a planned larger-scale, $585 million expansion is completed. “We’re working out the details now,” Deputy Mayor Anthony Adams told the Detroit News. “This will get done. This has to get done. We cannot lose any more vendors.” How the city will pay for the project is another matter that needs resolving. The plan is to extend taxes on surrounding area hotels that were introduced to help pay for building Cobo Hall back in 1979. The tax is due to expire in 2015, but only $113 million of the $250 million was ever collected. There is also controversy regarding the two-stage revamping of the hall, and who will pay for any unforeseen expenses. If a way to fund the project is found and it’s approved, the added space would represent a 11.4 percent increase in exhibition space, as Cobo currently offers 700,000 square feet www.leftlanenews.com __________________ -JD

06-27-2008, 08:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Vittorio 2.5L Iron Duke Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan Drives: 2001 Saab 9-5 Aero 847th Solstice Posts: 26	Re: Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship They have been dragging their feet on this expansion. It is nice to see that something is finally being done, although at the moment it would appear to be only the bare minimum. Years and years this idea has been tossed back and forth but nothing happens. It saddens me that companies have to start leaving the show before things get done. And still I don't feel confident that things will be completed. Cobo Hall is a small ugly building. Things need to happen yesterday not tomorrow.

06-27-2008, 08:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
BrickTamland 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Waterville, OH Drives: 2003 Nissan Maxima SE Posts: 4,654	Re: Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship Rename it the Cobocabana, then Barry Manilow can perform there. That will bring in the crowds. __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own. Current: Super Black 2003 Nissan Maxima SE Former: Brilliant Blue Metallic 1995 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD

06-27-2008, 09:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
YupYupYup 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 697	Re: Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship They are just now figuring this out? No wonder Detroit is such a dump. Sorry, but the truth...

06-27-2008, 09:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Penthos 2.5L Iron Duke Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Livingston County, MI Drives: 2008 Ford F150 XL Supercrew 4wd 4.6 Posts: 24	Re: Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship Maybe they should have sent out some text messages? That might have been more effective? Seriously, Cobo has needed attention for years and Detroit has just let it go like most everything else in the city. Its a shame. __________________ -2008 Ford F150 XL Supercrew 4wd 4.6 & Kawasaki ZZR600 .

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06-27-2008, 10:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
LAMRONH 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Caveville, Neanderthallande Drives: 2007 black KIA Spectra EX. Have club, will travel. Posts: 8,947	Re: Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship Lack of leadership. The shortage that's killing America. __________________ The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance. Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC), 55 BC

06-28-2008, 01:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
Supernoma 2.0 Liter Supercharged ECOTEC Join Date: Apr 2005 Drives: 2005 Pontiac GTO Posts: 165	Re: Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship less then a 12% expansion? meh only thing that concerns me is where the real estate will come from for a significant expansion: river on one side and streets on the other three. build out to the riverfront? __________________ 2005 Torrid Red GTO 2008 Saturn Aura XR

06-28-2008, 12:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
LAMRONH 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Caveville, Neanderthallande Drives: 2007 black KIA Spectra EX. Have club, will travel. Posts: 8,947	Re: Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship Other than the minor problem of funding, why not do as the championship Detroit Lions football team did and go where the real estate is cheaper and the politicians at least approach a room temp IQ? __________________ The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance. Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC), 55 BC

06-28-2008, 01:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
vcs2600 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,911	Re: Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship So the city has no money to pay for this, but they're going to spend a half billion so that the automakers can have a show/party for 1 week a year? And as if Detroit doesn't have more pressing needs year around? Talk about poor/corrupt leadership.

06-28-2008, 01:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
Rick 2000 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 277	Re: Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship Last couple of years have not filled lower level completly , and the vender that was there looks like fill -ins .

06-28-2008, 01:51 PM	#15 (permalink)
Snafu_SS 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: SOKY for now...NKY later Drives: 1995 Chevrolet C/1500 "chi" Posts: 1,059	Re: Detroit’s Cobo Hall to get $90M upgrade to keep manufacturers from jumping ship Not knowing where the funding for "unforeseen problems" will come from is a big concern...I work in the industry and am going to school to become an architect...I know that you CAN NOT build anything without an "unforeseen problem" Here in southern kentucky you can't build a shed without finding a sink hole under it... __________________ Nothing more fun than some mud and four wheel drive...until you get stuck without a winch and only a shovel and your bare hands

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