The Lions and Tigers are raising their stadium
investments by adding more than" $115M in additional
features for their downtown projects, according to Mark Puls
of the DETROIT NEWS, who reports that the two facilities are
"now projected to cost" about $600M. The teams have
"expanded plans to develop areas around their stadiums and
add extras to the parks," and team execs said that "none of
the added costs is due to ... overruns." During
groundbreaking yesterday, the Lions announced that their
domed stadium will be called Ford Field and will include
"redevelopment of a former" Hudson's warehouse. The north
end of the warehouse "will become part of the stadium and
home to its luxury suites." Ford Field will cost $300M, up
$75M from "initial plans." Meanwhile, the Tigers "increased
their investment" in Comerica Park by $40M by adding "larger
buildings around the park and perks such as a Ferris wheel,
carousel, statues, water exhibit and other amenities." The
ballpark will now cost $300M (DETROIT NEWS, 11/17).
FORD FIELD: Ford CEO Jacques Nasser said that the
company "chose" the name Ford Field because it's "simple and
succinct." Ford Chair and team Vice Chair William Clay Ford
Jr. said of the team's stadium, "We wanted something unique
in Detroit. We want this stadium to showcase the city's
turnaround" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 11/17). In Detroit, David
Markiewicz writes that Lions fans' "eyes were opened wide by
the striking design of the new stadium." Fans also "praised
the apparent closeness of even the highest seats to the
field" (FREE PRESS, 11/17). Also in Detroit, Jon Pepper
writes that with yesterday's groundbreaking, the Lions were
"being welcomed back by politicians, business leaders and
fans as if they'd never left" (DETROIT NEWS, 11/17).
