Detroit officials have been trying to find a new life for the former site of the Michigan State Fair for a long time. Amazon will fill the void, according to a redevelopment proposal announced last week.
"After more than a decade of failed attempts, the old Michigan State Fairgrounds is finally being redeveloped with plans to build an Amazon distribution center," reports Adrienne Roberts.
"Under the proposal, Amazon would invest $400 million to build a 3.8-million-square-foot distribution center at the site, bringing at least 1,200 new jobs to the city," according to plans announced last week by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Duggan was careful to note that Amazon is not receiving any special tax subsidies or public investments to facilitate the development.
There's a still real estate deal involved, according to Roberts: "The City of Detroit has agreed to sell the portion of the State Fairgrounds at Woodward Avenue and 8 Mile that it owns for $9 million to the real estate company The Sterling Group, founded by TCF Bank Executive Chairman Gary Torgow and now run by his adult children."
According to additional coverage of the news. about the proposed development, written by JC Reindl, Amazon will require the demolition of the site's historic fairground facilities to make way for its big investment.
"Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said [on August 11] that most historic buildings at the old State Fairgrounds off 8 Mile will likely be razed to make way for the planned $400 million Amazon distribution center.
FULL STORY: Amazon looks to open $400-million distribution center at Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit
Amazon’s Largest Warehouse Ever Under Construction in Southern California
Twice as big as Downtown L.A.’s tallest skyscraper and bigger than Disney’s California Adventure Park with room to spare, the largest Amazon warehouse in the world is under construction in Southern California’s Inland Empire.
Industrial Zoning a Foothold for Amazon Distribution Centers in San Francisco
Locals aren't happy about Amazon's numerous new distribution facilities in San Francisco, but all of the new facilities are all perfectly legal under the city's zoning code—much more legal than housing, for example.
The Impact of Amazon Warehouses on Communities
Often located in low-income communities of color, Amazon's warehouses contribute to public health impacts like poor air quality, noise pollution, and traffic congestion.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
.jpg){kind=link}
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service