Chris Ilitch proud of ‘Michigan-made, Detroit-built’ vision during ribbon-cutting ceremony.
DETROIT – Saying Little Caesars Arena and District Detroit will bring “excitement and sizzle” to downtown, Chris Ilitch, accompanied by dignitaries from business and politics, cut the ribbon Tuesday for the ceremonial opening of the new home for the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons.
The $863 million arena, the centerpiece of the 50-block District Detroit project, will open Sept. 12 with the first of six shows by Kid Rock. The Red Wings play there for the first time on Sept. 23 in their preseason opener, and the Pistons open their exhibition schedule at LCA on Oct. 4.
Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, was joined onstage by Pistons owner Tom Gores, Michigan governor Rick Snyder, Detroit mayor Mike Duggan and Detroit City Council president Brenda Jones.
“Projects like Little Caesars Arena and District Detroit are rare, ” Ilitch said. “When they are done well, they can create incredible pride and change lives across our community. We put our heart and soul into something truly spectacular for the people of this city, state and region, a special place that will amaze and inspire.”
Ilitch said when the symbolic ground-breaking took place three years ago the vision for the project was “Michigan-made, Detroit-built.”
“That meant taking an approach to make sure the impact of this massive project stays here, benefiting our community, our neighbors, our workforce, ” Ilitch said. “Today, I am so proud to say that our vision came to life even more powerfully than we had imagined.”
Ilitch said 94 percent of contracts awarded have gone to companies based in Michigan, translating into nearly $700 million pumped into the local economy. He said nearly $475 million of those contracts have been awarded to companies based in Detroit.
“We’ve also been committed to making sure jobs created by this project were filled locally, ” said Ilitch, who added that 2,000 people have been hired for post-construction jobs at LCA and 61 percent of them are Detroiters.
“Little Caesars Arena is the result of homegrown talent and skill, ” Ilitch said. “It’s a product of love, pride and that amazing Detroit and Michigan hustle.”
Ilitch said only 25 percent of the district has been developed thus far.
Ilitch was joined onstage for the ribbon cutting by his mother, Marian, who along with her late husband, Mike, founded Little Caesars Pizza in 1959 and later purchased the Red Wings (in 1982) and Detroit Tigers (in 1992) .
“They dreamed of a bustling, lively Detroit like the one they experienced as young people, ” Ilitch said. “They took a chance on our city at a time when others were moving out. They invested here nearly 30 years ago, invested here again and again over the course of their careers. It’s an amazing tribute to them.
“I know that if (his father) was here today, he would be doing that signature double-fist pump that showed he was overcome with excitement. He loved to win, and the vibrant Detroit we are now realizing was the win he wanted most for the community he loved.”
Ilitch called Gores a “true visionary and a business leader I have tremendous respect for” and thanked him for the “bold move” of bringing the Pistons back to Detroit.
Gores, the Flint native who referred to Mike Ilitch as an inspiration to him as a kid, said “I think this could complete our comeback.”
“hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue are going to be created because of this, tens of thousands of jobs are going to be created because of this, ” Gores said. “Hope will be created. Detroit has worked hard to get close to a complete comeback. Our work is not done.
“I’m honored to be a part of this. The Ilitch family has done the heavy lifting. As far as Detroit goes, this is a huge win.”
Snyder called it “a milestone that will go down in the history books for Detroit.”
“Detroit’s a sports city, Michigan’s a sports state, ” Snyder said. “We now have the world’s best (venue) for two outstanding sports franchises. We should be really proud of that. This is another anchor and a cornerstone. Where else in the world within walking distance can you go to all four professional sports teams? We have a unique asset here that Detroit is leading the world on.
“We needed a glue to connect midtown and downtown, to bring it all together. That’s what this arena does, along with good things like the Q-Line.”
Duggan, a Detroit native who grew up following the four major sports teams, called it “an amazing day in Detroit.”
“Growing up in this town for many years has really been an experience of loss, ” Duggan said. “We’ve lost people, we’ve lost businesses, and some of the most painful losses were our sports teams (Lions and Pistons, who moved to the suburbs before returning) .
“Just a few years ago, Detroit was on its back. We were in bankruptcy. We were a national embarrassment. And here we are four years later. With today’s announcement, the City of Detroit is the only city in America where all four major professional sports teams now play in the downtown core.”
Ilitch said they’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible with the 50-block development.
“Several people have commented to me ‘Aren’t you happy that everything is done, ‘ ” Ilitch said. “Done? We’re just getting started.”
