Cobo Center Expansion - Detroit, MI
CSL assisted the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority with a Strategic Plan to guide management in its efforts to maximize the success of the Cobo Center and surrounding facility/site assets. The project included a broad view of the Center, arena, hotel and surrounding parcels and their impact on the ability to attract events to Detroit.
The Strategic Planning study was designed to create a vision for the future of the convention and tradeshow industry in Detroit. Investment in Cobo Center had failed to keep pace with the industry, and surrounding parcels/assets were underutilized. Our recommendations focused on repositioning existing space and surrounding real estate into a state-of-the-art campus with significant connections to the Detroit River. Cobo Arena was repositioned into a marquee ballroom, potential reuse of Joe Louis Arena was studied, and hotel development on various adjacent real estate parcels was considered as part of future convention industry investment.
Primary study components included analysis of local market conditions, existing industry trends, an analysis of existing Center operations, a review of competitive and comparable event facilities, market demand and survey research, financial operations analysis and an overview of funding options.