FeedsDeveloper announces plan for arena
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A rendering of the front of the tentatively-titled Motown Technology and Sports Center was presented to a group of business people and journalists Tuesday morning.A 1.6 million square foot sports and entertainment facility could be constructed in Romulus if a group of developers decide the city is the best location for the project.
At a press conference at the Romulus Crowne Plaza Tuesday morning, Metro Sports Center LLC, a Detroit-based group of developers, announced they have secured financing for the $200 million project, but did not commit to a location for the project.
Jacquelyn Vaughn, a spokeswoman for the developers, said Romulus was one of the cities currently under consideration for the arena.
“Yes, we are looking at Romulus and other locations throughout Southeast Michigan,” said Vaughn.
A letter from the developer dated July 30 that was included in a press packet given to media outlets during the event indicated that the LLC would submit plans to Romulus officials in the near future for consideration and support.
Tentatively named the Motown Technology and Sports Center, the facility would serve as a home to a minor league basketball team, hockey team, indoor soccer team and an arena football team, and would house several other sports and entertainment-related amenities, including three basketball courts and four hockey rinks, in addition to the 12,000-seat main arena.
Vaughn said the developers are in negotiations for naming rights to the facility.
Also included in the project are an indoor lacrosse space, a running track, a fitness center, a leisure pool, three wave surf pools, two IMAX movie theaters, a dance studio, a spa, an education center, a rehabilitation center, an arcade, a bowling alley and a hotel.
Glenn DeSimone, the architect of the project, said he believed the wave surf pool was fairly unique.
“I know of only one – or maybe two – of its type in the area,” he said.
The developers of the project have faced doubts in large part because they did not secure financing for the project immediately. Though the developers announced Tuesday that American Capital Holdings of Troy, Mich., will provide that financing it remains unclear if a groundbreaking will take place by the end of this year, which Vaughn said she would like to see.
“It just makes sense that the financing is in place first,” Vaughn said when reporters asked her how a groundbreaking could take place in such short order without a site agreement.
Ongoing negotiations are in taking place to secure a site, but city officials said there’s been little dialog between the city and the developers.
“To be honest, we don’t really know too much about the project,” said Mayor Alan Lambert. “They came to us about two years ago – then the project was much smaller, just about $50 million or so – but now it’s up to $200 million.
“That being said, from what we know about it, it looks like a great project, and we’d love to have something like that here in Romulus,” Lambert added.
Vaughn said financing for the project is in place, and that a closing date of 45 days from the final execution of a land purchase agreement will take place. According to information provided by American Capital Holdings, the end lien holder will enter into an agreement to pay back a 25-year loan to the tune of $167 million.
In addition to investment, the center could also bring 1,200 jobs to the immediate area, both in construction and to staff the facility when it’s completed.
The group has also secured an operating agreement with Baker Leisure Group to manage the facility on a day-to-day basis, according to Vaughn.
The planning approval process – a necessary step for those looking to develop land or building within the city – is typically a long process, especially for larger projects. Lambert said the developers have not yet appeared before the planning commission, but added that he’s be interested to learn more about the project as it was presented Tuesday.
“We look forward to talking about it further,” he said.
