I never said that either one of these ideas have ever been proposed before... I am proposing it.
Even on the west side of the state, we hear a lot of stories about "what to do with Tiger Stadium"
I do know that the Auto Show is cramped at Cobo, it needs a major expansion. They've been talking about it for years and 5 years ago I went to the show with a guy I worked with at the station who was big into cars.
the JLA is the 5th oldest building in the league
1961 Mellon Arena (Pittsburgh) - New Arena coming for the Penguins in 2010-11
1968 Madison Square Garden (NY Rangers) - Underwent a $200 million upgrade in 1991
1972 Nassau Coliseum (NY Islanders) - Islanders have a new arena proposed (The Lighthouse project)
1974 Rexall Place - (Edmonton) - Remodled in 1994 - new ownership group is looking and very interested in new arena - They have 6 years left on lease.
1979 Joe Louis Arena (Red Wings) - Illitches have done no "major rennovations" since buying the team, they gave it a facelift, added the Legends club, but not much else
1983 Saddledome (Flames) - The Flames have conducted studies on a new arena but nothing yet.
I agree that a new arena is inevitable, especially since the lease on the JLA is almost up. They'll extend it but the deal that the Illitch's have with the City lets the Illitch's make off like bandits. The city will not allow the current terms of the lease to continue much longer, it's almost like the Wings are ripping the city off.
So a new arena will be coming, I would say in about 10 years we will see a new arena for the wings. But the land around Comerica/Fox/Ford field is becoming too valueable and I don't think that you'll get enough land cheap. So you have to look elsewhere. Tiger Stadium has been sitting there for almost a decade, and the only thing that's been done to it since the Tigers moved out was, immitating Yankee Stadium for Billy Crystal's movie.
I know we love the JLA, but facts are facts, this new age of luxury suites and fan amenities are the way things are. Even Corporate naming rights. (they help pay for things)
Montreal left the forum, Toronto left Maple Leaf Gardens, Boston said goodbye to the Boston Gardens, Chicago said goodbye to "The Madhouse on Madison" Things have got to change. One day we are going to have to say goodbye to the Joe. But especially in the economic problems in Michigan. You have to look at the right location and cost.
If a new arena is to happen, they need to be able to get the land at a price that won't break you. Construction costs are going to be high enough.
