Legislation Recycles Previously Refused Proposal on Cobo, Threatens to Move Auto Show Out of the Motor City

LANSING—Detroit members of the Senate Democratic Caucus voted against legislation today that was introduced by Senate Republicans that proposes the same regional authority for the management of Cobo Hall that the Detroit City Council rejected in December. The legislation, which passed on a Republican party line vote, also includes a provision that would move the North American International Auto Show to Novi if the city council doesn’t accept the agreement the second time around.

“The North American International Auto Show is a staple of Detroit and to lose it because of bills that give the Detroit City Council such an ultimatum would be a huge loss for our citizens and the city as a whole,” said Senator Buzz Thomas (D-Detroit). “I would hope that the Senate would stop micromanaging the affairs of the region and let local leaders and Mayor Bing reach their agreements.”

“In these challenging financial times, legislators need not pit one part of our state against the other,” said Sen. Irma Clark-Coleman (D-Detroit). “We should allow for Detroit’s newly elected Mayor Dave Bing to negotiate a deal that is in the best interest for his city and Southeast Michigan. Mayor Bing has indicated that he is in talks with all the stakeholders involved, which include Wayne, Oakland and Macomb County officials, Governor Granholm and the Detroit City Council. I firmly believe he can do it.”

Lawmakers also argued against the proposal because it would essentially be funneling taxpayer dollars to potentially support a private company, and that Novi and other proposed auto show locations outside of Detroit also lack the infrastructure necessary to accommodate large-scale activities. The City of Detroit has the casinos, hotels, restaurants and transportation system that draws and supports not only the auto show, but also other major events like the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the Super Bowl and the Final Four.