In the wake of the Lions proposed move back to downtown
Detroit, State Rep. Deborah Whyman plans to introduce a bill when
the MI Legislature reconvenes September 12 that would require the
Lions to reimburse the state about $13.9M in taxpayer-funded
subsidies paid out over 19 years to help fund the Silverdome,
according to Craig Garrett of the DETROIT NEWS. Lions officials
responded to Whyman's plans by saying the Silverdome has
generated positive benefits for the state, adding in statement,
"The Silverdome ... has generated more than $200 million in
revenues since it opened [in '75]. The $13.9 million state
subsidy, which ended in 1992, went directly to the city of
Pontiac, with none of the subsidy going to the Detroit Lions"
(DETROIT NEWS, 8/27). The DETROIT NEWS' Brian Harmon reports the
Pontiac Stadium Building Authority still owes $28M on municipal
bonds that helped pay for the Silverdome and that Oakland County
taxpayers can expect to pay at least $7M of that tab (DETROIT
NEWS, 8/27). A DETROIT NEWS chart indicates Pontiac taxpayers
"paid most of the costs" of the Silverdome as of '95 --
approximately $49,673,638 (DETROIT NEWS, 8/27). SAVE THE
SILVERDOME: Ron French of the DETROIT NEWS eyes "ways to keep
the Silverdome from being bulldozed." Ideas include turning the
facility into an industrial park, an amusement park, an upscale
mall, an "ultimate Metro Detroit night spot," or a casino
(DETROIT NEWS, 8/27). .
