Cobo Center
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 The Lodge Freeway passes underneath. |
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| Coordinates | 42°19′34″N 83°2′49″W / 42.32611°N 83.04694°WCoordinates: 42°19′34″N 83°2′49″W / 42.32611°N 83.04694°W |
|---|---|
| Type | Convention center |
| Opened | 1960 |
| Location | 1 Washington Blvd., Detroit, Michigan 48201  United States |
| Renovated | 1989, 2010 |
| Expanded | 2010 |
| Website | Official website |
Cobo Center, originally known as Cobo Hall, is a major convention center situated along Jefferson Ave. in downtown Detroit, Michigan, USA. It and the adjacent Cobo Arena are named for Albert E. Cobo, mayor of Detroit from 1950 to 1957. Designed by Gino Rossetti, both Cobo Hall and Cobo Arena opened in 1960. Expanded in 1989, the present 2,400,000 sq ft (223,000 m2) complex contains 700,000 sq ft (65,000 m2) of exhibition space. Construction to update and further expand the center's exhibition space to 866,000 sq ft (80,500 m2) may begin September 1, 2009.[1] Cobo Center, adjacent Joe Louis Arena with seating capacity of 21,066 is served by the Detroit People Mover with its own station. Cobo Center has a large attached parking garage with direct access to the Lodge Freeway. Cobo Center is located along the Detroit International Riverfront.
The center is the home of the North American International Auto Show or NAIAS, which is hosts each January, and Autorama, which is hosts each March. There are about 5,000 hotel rooms in downtown Detroit with 4,000 hotel rooms within walking distance of Cobo Hall.[2]
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[edit] Cobo Arena
Cobo Arena is a 12,191-seat indoor arena adjacent to Cobo Center. Expansion plans call for the demolition of Cobo Arena in 2009.[1] It was the home of the Detroit Pistons (1961-1978), the Michigan Stags of the WHA (1974-1975), the Detroit Ambassadors of the Ontario Hockey League (1990-1992), the Detroit Dogs of the American Basketball Association (2000-2001), the Detroit Rockers of the National Professional Soccer League (along with Joe Louis Arena) from 1990-2001, and the University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team (along with Calihan Hall). The facility also hosted the 1990-1992 Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournaments.
Cobo Arena has consistently served as a concert venue for acts of all genres. Concert albums of Madonna The Virgin Tour, KISS (Alive! - Including the iconic arena photo on the album's back cover), Bob Seger (Live Bullet), Kid Rock (Live Trucker) The Tragically Hip (Live Between Us), Journey (Captured) and Yes (Yesshows) were all recorded, in whole or in part, in the arena. The Doors played at Cobo Arena and recorded the show under the name "Live In Detroit".
The facility also hosted the returning edition of WWE Saturday Night's Main Event on March 18, 2006.
On October 4, 2008, hip hop artist Jay-Z held a free concert in support for Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and to encourage younger voters to register by the voter registration deadline. The free event was held at Cobo Arena.
On September 25 and 26, 2009, Kiss performed at the Cobo Arena wanting to play there one last time before it gets torn down to expand Cobo Center.[1]Kiss bassist Gene Simmons stated in a radio interview on August 21 on Detroit's classic rock station WCSX that Kiss was planning on performing all the songs from the album Alive! in order and that the show was to be recorded and released on DVD.[2]
Walking with Dinosaurs the arena Spectacular will be at the cobo arena from December 29th through January 3rd.[3]
[edit] Future development
Governor Jennifer Granholm signed legislation on July 2, 2009 to allow for a nearly $300 million expansion of Cobo Center; the plan calls for a 166,000 square foot addition.[1] The legislation created a five-member board, appointed by the governor, the City of Detroit, and Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties to oversee the operation of the center with the city retaining ownership.[1] The project, which also calls for the demolition of Cobo Arena in order to expand the center, began October 1, 2009.[1]
[edit] Photo gallery
 Cobo Arena from Jefferson in Detroit |
 Cobo Arena from Windsor, with the Detroit People Mover in the foreground |
 Cobo Center viewed from Windsor |
 A model of downtown in the Renaissance Center lobby shows Cobo Center. |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Nichols, Darren A. (July 3, 2009).Granholm signs bill to expand Cobo Center. The Detroit News. Retrieved on July 5, 2009.
- ^ Gray, Kathleen and John Wisely (March 31, 2009).Oakland lures, but 2010 auto show stays at Cobo.Detroit Free Press. Retrieved on April 10, 2009.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Olympia Stadium |
Home of the Detroit Pistons 1961 – 1978 |
Succeeded by Pontiac Silverdome |
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