LANSING – House and Senate leaders today announced a major deal that will keep the North American International Auto Show in downtown Detroit by allowing for the modernization of Cobo Hall. The agreement comes as a result of bipartisan collaboration among the House, the Senate, the Governor and leaders in Southeast Michigan. It now awaits the Governor's signature.
"I commend everyone who worked hard to make this deal a reality, including Senator Bishop, Mayor Bing, Oakland and Macomb County Executives, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and Wayne County Executive Bob Ficano, who initiated the process," said House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Township). "Cobo plays a vital role in Southeast Michigan's economy. The agreement we've reached today will protect the jobs of thousands of Michigan workers and keep the North American International Auto Show in its home in Detroit."
The deal struck today would provide for a 30-year lease to a regional authority made up of representatives from Detroit and Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, as well as a representative appointed by the Governor. The lease agreement requires the authority to renovate, rehabilitate and expand the aging facility.
"Our primary focus throughout this process has been to keep the North American Auto Show at Cobo Hall while also ensuring that Michigan did not lose this important event to another state. The compromise reached today should accomplish that goal," said Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester). "In keeping the Auto Show here in Michigan, we not only preserve an important part of our state's culture and history, but we hold onto $600 million in revenue at a time when our state struggles with sinking revenue levels. I want to thank all the participants in this process for seeing the wisdom in a timely resolution and look forward to the City Council accepting this agreement."
Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to Cobo Hall each year from across Michigan and the country, many to visit the North American International Auto Show, one of Michigan's signature events. In addition to being responsible for more than 16,000 direct jobs, it is estimated that Cobo brings in hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue annually to Southeast Michigan's economy.
"This is great news for Detroit and the tens of thousands of workers whose livelihoods rely on a strong, vibrant Cobo Hall," said State Representative Shanelle Jackson (D-Detroit), who has worked tirelessly to resolve this issue. "Cobo is part of the fabric of our community, and with this modernization plan, not only will we keep the Auto Show in Detroit, we'll attract the sort of events that demand a world-class convention center. This will help revitalize Detroit's recovery and boost the entire state's economy."
State Senator Jason Allen (R-Traverse City) said: "I want to congratulate members of the Legislature, local government officials and leaders of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association for moving forward with a compromise to secure the future of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. I think this compromise is fair and balanced not just for the city of Detroit, but for the entire state of Michigan. For years, Detroit has been known as the Motor City capital of the world. We have enjoyed that designation, and the North American Auto Show has been an important part of our state's economy and history. Its continued presence here in Michigan, especially in Detroit, was our primary focus."
State Representative Bert Johnson (D-Detroit), Chair of the Detroit Caucus, also praised today's deal.
"We've reached a bipartisan agreement that works for both Detroit and the surrounding suburbs," Johnson said. "All of Southeast Michigan benefits from the hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity that Cobo creates for our economy, and all of Michigan benefits from the world-class events that are held in downtown Detroit. This is a great day for our city and our state."