The city of Detroit is working on a plan to use the demolition of Joe Louis Arena as the first step in big infrastructure changes around the arena.
The goal: to make the isolated property more accessible to the riverfront and connect it with the blossoming downtown.
A study done for the city and private land owners near the arena shows there are talks to find the money and create a consensus to tear down major structures, including a freeway exit, along with the vacant arena later this year. New pedestrian links to the West Riverfront area and possibly nearby streets would be created, according to a copy of the study obtained by The Detroit News.