Dormant Michigan State Fairground Site to Make Way for Amazon Distribution Center

"After more than a decade of failed attempts, the old Michigan State Fairgrounds is finally being redeveloped with plans to build an Amazon distribution center," reports Adrienne Roberts. 

"Under the proposal, Amazon would invest $400 million to build a 3.8-million-square-foot distribution center at the site, bringing at least 1,200 new jobs to the city," according to plans announced last week by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Duggan was careful to note that Amazon is not receiving any special tax subsidies or public investments to facilitate the development.

There's a still real estate deal involved, according to Roberts: "The City of Detroit has agreed to sell the portion of the State Fairgrounds at Woodward Avenue and 8 Mile that it owns for $9 million to the real estate company The Sterling Group, founded by TCF Bank Executive Chairman Gary Torgow and now run by his adult children."

According to additional coverage of the news. about the proposed development, written by JC Reindl, Amazon will require the demolition of the site's historic fairground facilities to make way for its big investment. 

"Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said [on August 11] that most historic buildings at the old State Fairgrounds off 8 Mile will likely be razed to make way for the planned $400 million Amazon distribution center.