$2.5B development announced by Henry Ford Health, Tom Gores, Pistons, MSU

The area around New Center and NW Goldberg will transform even more over the next decade. Today, Henry Ford Health, Tom Gores, the Detroit Pistons, and Michigan State University announced a transformative $2.5 billion development around Henry Ford's Detroit campus.

The plan includes an expansion of the main campus and new development into the area just east of the Lodge, south of West Grand Boulevard and north of I-94, including:

• A 1,000,000-square-foot Henry Ford Health tower across West Grand Boulevard from the main hospital,
• A new medical research facility, in partnership with Michigan State University, near the Pistons Performance Center,
• New residential (over 500 units), with both affordable and market-rate housing, including the redevelopment of One Ford Place (currently HFH office headquarters) and new construction on an empty lot,
• A new parking deck,
• Retail and maybe a hotel,
• And green spaces, including outdoor basketball courts.

The idea is to build connections through the neighborhoods, increasing walkability in the area. The hospital campus would also be more connected through additional tunnels, bridges, and walkways.

“When we acquired the Pistons more than a decade ago, our vision was larger than simply owning an NBA basketball franchise,” Tom Gores, owner of the Detroit Pistons said. “I viewed this from the start as a ‘community asset’ that was uniquely positioned to participate in the continuing reinvention of Detroit and to be impactful in the lives of its residents."

The Detroit Pistons announced a move from Auburn Hills to downtown Detroit and the Little Caesars Arena in 2017. In 2019, the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center opened in New Center. 

"Our plan in Detroit has focused on bringing people and organizations together and creating meaningful partnerships that accelerate growth, create opportunity and contribute to the revitalization of the city,” Gores said. “We are uniquely positioned and fortunate to have our partners at Henry Ford Health support the reimagination of our shared neighborhood, which will create jobs and housing for a new generation of Detroiters.”

According to a press release, the hospital itself at $1.8 billion would be the single largest health care investment in Detroit in Henry Ford Health's history. The new tower would replace what's now the HAP building at the Lodge and West Grand Boulevard.

“The reimagination of our healthcare campus in Detroit has been a long-held vision for us and we’ve taken exceptional pride in challenging ourselves – a quest to discover what’s truly possible alongside our partners,” said Robert G. Riney, President and CEO of Henry Ford Health. “We’ve welcomed Tom Gores’ ‘big thinking’ approach since the very start of our partnership. He’s a great catalyst in stretching people’s expectations and aspirations, and has really helped us drive a common mission and vision that will help us create something truly transformative for our patients and families, our communities, as well as the best team in healthcare.”

Developers are currently engaging stakeholders and gathering feedback on the plans. More details will be announced as plans are finalized. While much will be funded through investment and fundraising, we can expect some public funding to be requested.

They hope to break ground next year