Detroit council to discuss management deal for planned Red Wings arena, entertainment complex

12/18/2013

DETROIT — The Detroit City Council has called a special session Friday to discuss a management agreement for a Detroit Red Wings sports arena and entertainment complex just outside downtown.

Council members also are expected to consider changing the city code to add property to Detroit’s Downtown Development District.

Expansion of the district’s boundaries is a step needed for plans for the new arena to move forward. The Wings would move from Joe Louis Arena to the new facility, which would seat 18,000 for hockey and other events.

The Detroit Downtown Development Authority last Friday approved the management deal with Olympia Development. Olympia Development is owned by the Ilitch family, which also owns the hockey team.

The Michigan Strategic Fund would issue $450 million in bonds to build the events center.