LANSING- House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.) today hailed the passage of legislation to expand and modernize Detroit's Cobo Hall, ensuring its status as a prime international destination for business and special events, and cementing its place as the home of the North American International Auto Show.
"I'm pleased with the progress that has been made on the Cobo Hall expansion legislation, but tonight is only a step," Dillon said. "Cobo Hall plays a crucial role in our economy. It brings $600 million annually and tens of thousands of tourists and travelers to our state, and gives us a wonderful venue to showcase the vehicles proudly built and designed by Michigan workers. Without this expansion, we are in serious danger of losing the North American International Auto Show to other world-class cities, which would have a devastating effect on our state's economy."
Tens of thousands visit Cobo Hall each year, many to visit the North American International Auto Show, one of Michigan's signature events. It's estimated that Cobo brings $600 million in revenue annually to Michigan's economy, and is responsible for over 16,000 jobs in the tri-county area.
Recently, auto companies like Suzuki and Porsche have declined to participate in the North American International Auto Show, citing Cobo's limited space and obsolete facilities. In fact, preparations for the auto show have to begin six months in advance, in order to adequately deal with the inefficiencies of Cobo's loading docks.
"Cobo Hall is part of the fabric of Michigan, and many of our working families rely on Cobo for their economic
well-being," said State Representative Bert Johnson (D-Detroit).
"By renovating and expanding Cobo Hall, we can grow our economy, attract new businesses to our state, and create
good-paying jobs for our residents."
The House-passed plan will transfer ownership of Cobo Hall from the City of Detroit to a new regional authority, made
up of a seven member board with representatives from the tri-county area. This board will have the initial task of
overseeing the renovation and expansion, and later will manage the property under strict rules designed for efficiency
and transparency. Funding for the expansion will come from existing taxes.
"This legislation is a strong first step and we remain committed to continuing negotiations with the City of Detroit, the counties, the Senate and Governor to arrive at a final solution," Dillon said. "However, time is short and it's vital that we get the process moving forward."