Construction is underway at the former State Fairgrounds at 8 Mile in Detroit on one of the larger redevelopments in the city. Amazon is building a $400 million, 4 million-square-foot fulfillment center, plus buildings for suppliers.
On Monday, the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced where a new transit center would fit in to the current site plan. The new transit center would be constructed off of 8 Mile, with connected pathways to the nearby Meijer. The new facility will have indoor and outdoor waiting areas, and bathroom facilities.
Courtesy of DDOT
The current transit center is located around the corner off of Woodward. The new transit center (above) will veer all routes off Woodward, through the new development, and back on 8 Mile. DDOT says they'll keep working with the Department of Public Works, the Detroit Building Authority, MoGo, and SMART, as well as the community, on the development. It's expected to be completed in 2022
No word on the historic structures that sit in the path of the transit center and the rest of the development, although demolition looks likely. This includes the Joe Dumars Fieldhouse (which is right at the site for the new transit center) and the bandshell, which gained attention late last year due to its historic music past. On the city's development page for the state fairgrounds site, it states,
"The City will allow a 3-month period to study the Dairy Cattle Building, Coliseum and Agriculture Building (Joe Dumars Fieldhouse) before demolishing them for the Transit Center. Community advocates, P&DD and the DBA may evaluate if the buildings may be reused or relocated."
This land has been up for development for years. Neighborhood groups have long advocated for a walkable, community-oriented development. The Michigan State Fair took place at the site until 2009.
