SITE ANALYSIS

History

In 1905, 135 acres of rural land was acquired on the corner of 7 ½ and 8 Mile Roads, east of Woodward, to provide a permanent home for the Michigan State Fair. The site, purchased by Joseph L. Hudson, founder of a leading department store in Detroit, and several of his associates, was resold to the Michigan State Agricultural Society for one dollar on April 18, 1905. Hudson never intended to run the Fair, he simply wanted America's first state fair to have a permanent home in Detroit. The site was later dedicated as a State Historic Site on August 29, 1958.

Through the years, the ownership, size, and leadership of the State Fairgrounds has changed, but its primary purpose has remained the same. As stated in Public Act 361, "The Department shall conduct an annual State Fair and other exhibits or events for the purpose of promoting all phases of the economy of this State. This Fair and exhibits or events shall encourage and demonstrate agricultural, industrial, commercial, and recreational pursuits." The Michigan State Fair and Fairgrounds have been owned and managed by the Department of Agriculture since 1997.
Fairground facilities and grounds have periodically been used for other events and purposes when the Fair is not being staged. In the 1930s, the site was home to a horse track, in the 1950s to an auto racing facility, and in the 1980s to a softball facility. More recently, the State considered leasing the property to a private investor for commercial development; sale or lease of part of the property to the Detroit Public Schools for a new school; and conversion of the property into a grand prix race course. Due in part to public outcry over these suggested uses, the recent proposals have failed. However, there is some question of how long the state will be willing to bear the financial burden of operating the Fairgrounds. In three out of the last four years the Fairgrounds generated a small profit, but this year it was $850,000 in the red. In fall 2003, Governor Granholm appointed a 12 member commission to determine the Fairground's future.
Surrounding Conditions

The location of the State Fairgrounds on the corner of Woodward and 8 Mile Road places it at the intersection of three counties (Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb) and a number of communities. To the north of 8 Mile lies the City of Ferndale in affluent Oakland County. To the east and west of the property lie two distinctly different Detroit communities: Cluster 1 and Cluster 10, respectively.

Cluster 1, which includes the State Fairgrounds and several blocks to the south and east, is dominated by residential land uses. A significant number of residents (37%) are below the poverty level, compared to 32% of residents citywide; socio-economic conditions are the worst immediately surrounding the Fairgrounds.

In contrast to Cluster 1, Cluster 10 is the City of Detroit's strongest residential community. The housing stock is of high quality and property values are on the rise. Focus Hope and the University of Detroit Mercy play an active role in the community as do vocal residential and community groups. The affluent Palmer Woods and Palmer Park neighborhoods have been particularly active in the area monitoring development proposals to insure "obnoxious uses" are prohibited.

Physical Characteristics

The Michigan State Fairgrounds contains a total of 167 acres of land, approximately half of which is consumed by parking lots. Agriculture buildings and entertainment complexes, most of which are in disrepair, are concentrated in the center of the site along Grand Lakes Blvd. As one might expect, large open spaces are scattered throughout the site for outdoor exhibits and performances.

Existing facilities and infrastructure are in poor condition. Repair of all utilities are needed to bring the site up to code prior to any new development.

CURRENT USES

Each year more than one million people visit the Fairgrounds to attend year-round events in the Coliseum and to experience the annual Michigan State Fair. The Fair, which runs for a little over two weeks each August, generates the largest crowds. Around 365,000 attended the Fair in 2003 despite the crippling effects of the power blackout on opening day and foul weather on traditionally busy Labor Day weekend. Favorite attractions include the Miracle of Life Exhibit, the DNR/HCMA Outdoor Zone (where youngsters can learn to fish), free concerts, daily parades, horse shows, agricultural displays, arts & crafts, racing pigs, rabbits & poultry, dairy exhibits, carnival rides & games and the world's largest stove.

The Department of Agriculture recently signed a 20-year lease of the Agriculture Building with Joe Dumars, of the Detroit Pistons, to renovate the facility as a for-profit field house and athletic facility. The State also has a contract with Hockeytown to lease space in the Coliseum for youth hockey programs eight months out the year. None of these ventures would be impacted by the proposed Metropark. In the past, parking lots have also been rented by an auto company for storage of vehicles. It is unclear whether this use would continue to be permitted.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND SERVICES

The proposed Metropark masterplan for the Michigan State Fairgrounds seeks to create an outstanding regional park in an urban setting. The plan covers 100 acres on the southern portion of the existing site bordered on the south by State Fair Road and the north by what is now Great Lakes Blvd. The park would be operated by the HCMA seven days a week, for 48 weeks of the year. The State would maintain ownership of the site and take over site management every August for operation of the State Fair. In addition, the State would continue to manage the north portion of the site including operation of the Coliseum and twelve other buildings. The HCMA would be responsible for the renovation of part of the Horse Barn, the North Food Court, Community Arts Building, and the Hudson Auditorium to be used by the HCMA for administrative and educational purposes.

Highlights of the proposed plan include the development of an aquatic center, picnics areas, athletic fields, paved recreation trial, activity area development, entertainment pavilion, town square development, and interpretative facility development. The aquatic center would include amenities similar to other large water parks offering family summertime entertainment in the wave pool, lazy river, or on shore playing with the children's spray toys. Six acres of the site would be paved for the activity area development where a skate park, playground, and court games would be created for active use. The town square development would support less intense uses like picnicking, sunbathing, and lawn games. A final hallmark of the site would be the interpretive facility development, which includes the current Community Arts Building. Administrative offices and classrooms would be constructed in the existing building surrounded by a demonstration garden and an educational trail.

As with most Metroparks, general admission to the State Fairgrounds Metropark would be free, but a small fee would be charged for parking. Fees would also be collected for special events in the entertainment pavilion, rental of picnic shelters and buildings, and special interpretative programs or classes.

RESOURCES

1. State Fairgrounds Map
2. Regional map highlighting Fairgrounds
3. Community Reinvestment Strategy: Cluster 1, Cluster 10

Site Analysis

Current Uses

Proposed Development

Plan and Services

Resources

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