In exchange for generous public subsidies, Illitch Holdings, owner and developer of the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, promised large-scale economic development.
"Just over a year after Little Caesars Arena opened its doors for the first time, Ilitch Holdings is celebrating the changes that have come to Detroit and noted that it's only the beginning," writes John Gallagher.
Gallagher lists the economic development and tax revenue benefits touted by the company, which include, 3 million guests to the arena, $600 million in contracts to local companies and 20,000 jobs, a 456 percent increase in property tax base in the district, 40,000 square feet of additional commercial development, and $200 million in funding commitments to additional redevelopment projects.
Planetizen first reported criticisms of the generous subsidies allowed the sports arena back in 2014, and the public investments continued into 2017. In 2016, the Illitch family has promised that the city's investment in the arena and surrounding sports and entertainment district would reap additional private investments in the area.
Read the full story: How Little Caesars Arena has changed Detroit
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax survives legal challenge
A panel of judges found that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate injury as a result of New York City's implementation of the tax.
Eastern Nebraska is running out of electricity
Data centers and electrification are straining eastern Nebraska’s grid, throttling economic development.
Seattle passes record-breaking transit services expansion
Proposition 1 will double the city’s transit tax to add 95,000 more bus trips and preserve 180,000 bus trips annually.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority