Though it's described as preliminary brainstorming, what Bill Shea found is bold enough to land in the lead spot on the cover of Crain's Detroit Business:
The Ilitch family, which owns the Detroit Red Wings, has privately floated the idea that the state of Michigan own a new downtown hockey arena proposed for the National Hockey League franchise.
The suggestion to possibly use the Michigan Strategic Fund as the venue's owner was discussed in a November meeting between state economic development executives and representatives of the Ilitch family, according to copies of emails obtained from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. by Crain's through a Freedom of Information Act request.
The public fund, authorized to sell low-interest construction bonds, is part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. It owns an office building, Cadillac Place, in Detroit's New Center area and a state House office building in Lansing, Crain's says.
The Red Wings have played at Joe Louis Arena since its 1979 opening. Shea describes it as "elderly by sports facility standards."
No decision about financing a new home for the team has been made, MEDC chief operating officer Steve Hilfinger tells Shea:
"We're at the point of thinking about all the things in very preliminary ways. The state wants to support this."
