In their last session of the year, Detroit City Council approved an amended plan for the new Transit Center at the site of the State Fairgrounds. In this plan, the Dairy Cattle Building will be reused as a terminal with buses running through it, with restrooms, meeting rooms, and vendors added. The portico of the Coliseum will be kept as part of an outdoor plaza.
Both buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Raquel Castañeda-López and Mary Sheffield voted against the plan, citing environmental factors and the need for more pedestrian-friendly considerations in the plan.
City Council had approved a $7 million plan this summer, which would have meant demolition to the historic buildings. A feasibility study was done since, with the amended plan, at $18.6 million, to save the buildings. The additional cost will be paid for through bonds.
The new Transit Center will be located off of 8 Mile instead of Woodward. A 4 million-square-foot Amazon distribution center is currently being built at the State Fairgrounds site. The Transit Center is expected to be completed in late 2022.
