Detroit outlines new vision for Tiger Stadium site

3/25/2014

DETROIT  — Detroit has released a new vision for the former site of Tiger Stadium that would include a youth baseball field along with stores, residential space and offices.

A request for proposals issued by the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. said Detroit PAL, a nonprofit youth sports organization, would build a new 10,000-square-foot headquarters and maintain much of the Detroit Tigers’ former field for youth baseball, the Detroit Free Press reported.

The request says Detroit wants a mixed-use development — a blend of retail, residential and office space — on a portion of the site. The deadline to submit proposals is May 23. The city hopes to select a development team by late August.

According to the city, the site is large enough to fit several hundred units of residential housing as well as retail and office space. Past ideas for reusing the former stadium site haven’t moved forward. Detroit is reserving part of the site for future development.

The city’s plans are designed to resolve the many conflicting demands for the site’s future that have stymied redevelopment efforts, said George Jackson, the outgoing president and CEO of the DEGC, which controls the site on behalf of the city.

“This is an attempt by both the DEGC as well as the mayor’s office to address the issues as fairly as possible,” Jackson said. “Everyone doesn’t get exactly what they want but they all get something.”

Tiger Stadium opened in 1912 as Navin Field. The Tigers left for Comerica Park after the 1999 season. The last portion of the stadium was demolished in 2009.

Tim Richey, CEO of Detroit PAL, a nonprofit that operates athletic and mentorship programs serving more than 11,000 youths in partnership with the Detroit Police Department, said talks to involve his organization started last year. Its lease on its Midtown office space expires at year’s end.

“This offers the chance for Detroit kids to enjoy the corner and have the chance to play ball out there, on the same field where so many greats of baseball have played,” he said.