On Monday, officials gathered in front of the Packard Plant to start the next phase of demolition, which will see the long abandoned plant almost completely demolished by the end of 2024. The city will soon request proposals for the site.
Located on the city's east side just off of 94, it's likely that the site will be bought by an auto supplier. In recent years, Lear Corp. has developed a new manufacturing site where the old Cadillac Stamping Plant was, and NorthPoint Development is building a new facility where the old AMC headquarters was on the city's west side.
The city is keeping two parts on either side of East Grand Boulevard (once connected by a bridge) to pay homage to the historic factory.
"The demolition of the Packard Plant represents more than just the removal of dilapidated structures,” said LaJuan Counts, director of the Detroit Construction & Demolition Department. “It symbolizes Detroit's resilience and its commitment to revitalization. As we look to a new era for this site, we honor the history of the old Packard Plant while embracing future possibilities for our city.”
The city is using up to $26 million in American Rescue Plan funds for the demo.
Adamo Group is leading the demolition of the site. Emergency demo of the 42-acre site started in 2022.
Redevelopment plans floated in the last decade by its Peruvian owner Fernando Palazuelo. But the task was too great and the money wasn't there. The city ordered Palazuelo to demolish the the property in 2022, after it was declared a nuisance by the courts.
