• To increase the competitiveness of Cobo Center in the highly competitive market for conventions, conferences, trade shows and other special events that have a large, positive economic impact on the Detroit regional economy.
• To revitalize Cobo Center, including updated image.
• To make Cobo Center financially viable.

• To significantly improve Cobo Center’s customer experience.
• To improve Cobo Center’s customer service.
• To reduce Cobo Center’s customer costs.
• To ensure greater reliability in Cobo Center’s systems and operations.
• To enhance life safety and security.
• To improve operational efficiency and thereby reduce operational costs.
• To accomplish significant energy savings for the national benefit.
• To make significant progress towards a “Green” building and “Green” operations.
• To promote asset protection and preservation.
• To establish a meaningful relationship with the immediate district and downtown activities.

• $3 million budget                                                
• Phase I exhibition electrical power improvements. Roof leak reduction.
• Exhibition hall wet floor box leak reduction.
• Completed on schedule and on budget by NAIAS 2010

• $21 million budget Infrastructure improvements.
• Support for NAIAS 2011.
• NAIAS 2011 projects completed on schedule.

$27 million budget Five projects:

• Enclosure of loading dock.
• Phase II exhibition electrical power improvements.
• Creation of 500 parking spaces under Detroit Hall.
• Addition 25,000 gross square feet of exhibition space.
• Partial reroofing of building.

Announced on March 2, 2011. $221 million budget.
Combination of major physical changes and continuation of infrastructure improvements:

1. Development of Cobo Arena as new 40,000 square-foot ballroom with meeting rooms under. Major features include: (completed 1/13)

• 40,000 SF high quality ballroom capable of seating 2,600 for dining and 5,000 for general sessions.
• Ballroom capable of subdivision into smaller units.
• Ballroom overlooks Hart Plaza
• Prefunction space overlooking Detroit River.
• Prefunction space overlooking new signature atrium space.
• New kitchen serving both ballroom and new food court.
• Entry to ballroom area directly from Jefferson Avenue.
• Exterior terrace overlooking Detroit River and Hart Plaza
• Lift directly into Ballroom capable of raising automobile.
• Meeting rooms below ballroom relating the Michigan Hall.
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2. Creation of Atrium connecting main concourse to river and opening lower level/Michigan Hall to main level space. Major features include: (completed 1/13)

• Creates a central “signature” space.
• Opens views from main level concourse directly to Detroit River.
• Creates route from main concourse down to Detroit riverfront.
• Creates second major entrance from Civic Center Drive into building
• and up to main concourse.
• Connects main level exhibition space with lower level Michigan Hall
• exhibition space.
• Improves viability of lower level spaces.
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3. Renovation of south side constructed in 1960 and not included in 1989 upgrade. Major features include: (completed 1/13)

• Approach to south side from main concourse area through new “signature” atrium space.
• Creation of prefunction space overlooking Detroit River through new glazed exterior wall
• Reconfiguration of rentable space into new appropriately sized meeting rooms directly off prefunction space.
• Configuration with back-of-house spaces allowing materials handling to new south side spaces and to new materials handling service areas on east side minimizing interface with public areas.
• New food service support areas
• Lower level opened up south of Michigan Hall as extension of concourse system.
• New glazed wall along south side of lower level opening area to Detroit riverfront.
• Much improved entrance experience from Civic Center Drive curbside drop-off.
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4. Upgrade of east side main concourse and adjacent spaces. Major features include: - (completed 1/14)

• Reconfiguring rentable and non-rentable spaces to locate rentable spaces in prime locations
• Upgraded concourse finishes and lighting
• Upgraded rentable space finishes
• Minimization of service traffic in public circulation areas by addition of “back-of-house” service corridors.
• Widening of concourse by elimination of some escalators.
• New food court and improved food concession spaces
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5. New east side exterior skin with “media mesh”. Major features include: (completed 12/14)

• Upgraded appearance for new image
• Creation of canopy to provide weather protection for main entrance
• Addition of “media mesh” to allow dynamic images of Cobo Center events on exterior.
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6. Infrastructure improvements continuing work in Phase IIa including: (completed 12/14)

• Parking system improvements
• HVAC improvements including further efficiency enhancements, improved controls, etc.
• Plumbing changes including low flow fixtures.
• Fire protection enhancements including fire protection extension throughout all areas and system upgrades
• Electrical testing and correction of deficiencies.
• Special system upgrades including enhanced CCTV system and communications system