Michigan State Fairgrounds and Expo Center

Michigan State Fairgrounds and Expo Center
Interactive map of Michigan State Fairgrounds and Expo Center
Address1120 W. State Fair Avenue
LocationDetroit, Michigan
Coordinates42°26′36″N 83°7′3″W / 42.44333°N 83.11750°W / 42.44333; -83.11750
OwnerMichigan State Agricultural Society
TypeFairground
Construction
Opened1905
Closed2009
Demolished2022

The Michigan State Fairgrounds and Expo Center was a fairground and exhibition complex located in Detroit, Michigan.

History

In 1904, Joseph L. Hudson, together with three of his associates, organized to acquire a site for the fair. They formed the State Fair Land Company, which acquired 135 acres (0.55 km2) between 7+1⁄2 and 8 Mile roads, east of Woodward Avenue. Having no interest in running the fair, Hudson sold the land to the Michigan State Agricultural Society for one dollar on April 18, 1905. The Agricultural Society accepted the land and purchased an additional 32 acres (130,000 m2), extending the fairgrounds to 167 acres (0.68 km2). Throughout the following years, additional land was purchased and sold. The present size of the fairgrounds in Detroit is 164 acres (0.66 km2).

From 1905 to 2009, the complex served as a home for the Michigan State Fair. However, several other events were held at the complex including the Detroit Auto Show,[1] Detroit Autorama from 1954 to 1960,[2], Hallowicked in 2001, Ring of Honor's Showdown in Motown, Dragon Gate Challenge, All Star Extravaganza III, Motor City Madness, and Supercard of Honor II events, and many more.[3][4] On July 26, 2007, Ring of Honor taped the inaugural New Horizons pay-per-view event at the complex.[5]

By 2009, the Michigan State Fair had declined to 217,000 attendees from its peak in 1996.[6] On October 30, 2009, Governor Jennifer Granholm vetoed legislation to provide funding to the Michigan State Fair, ultimately leading to the closure of the fairgrounds.[7][8] On April 9, 2012, Governor Rick Snyder signed Senate Bill 515 and House Bill 4803 which would oversee the redevelopment of the State Fairgrounds complex into a proposed commuter rail station.[9][10] In 2013, Meijer opened their first location in Detroit on redeveloped land on the site of the northern side of the State Fairgrounds.[11][12] In 2022, the remainder of the State Fairgrounds was demolished as part of a redevelopment plan to construct an Amazon distribution center on the remainder of the site; the bandshell was relocated to nearby Palmer Park.[13][14] The Dairy Cattle building would be the only building in the complex that remained though it would be converted into the new State Fairgrounds transit center which would later be renamed to the Jason Hargrove Transit Center in honor of a DDOT bus driver named Jason Hargrove who had passed away from COVID-19 complications.[15][16]

References

  1. ↑ "North American International Auto Show". Detroit Historical Society. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  2. ↑ Larivee, Bob (2015). Hot Rod Detroit. Oxford, Michigan: DP Publishing. p. 39. ISBN 978-0-692-30899-8.
  3. ↑ Vetter, Chris (July 26, 2007). "DVD Review: ROH, "SuperCard of Honor II" (3-31-07), with Whitmer-Jacobs in a cage, Dragon Gate six-man tag". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on December 28, 2024.
  4. ↑ Garoon & Ziegler. "ROH – Supercard of Honor II DVD Review". 411Mania.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  5. ↑ Dunn, J.D. (January 3, 2018). "The ROH: New Horizons 2008 Breakdown". 411Mania.com. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  6. ↑ The Future of the Michigan State Fair Archived September 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ Bell, Dawson (October 30, 2009). "Granholm cuts State Fair from budget". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2013.
  8. ↑ Bell, Dawson (October 30, 2009). "It's official: State Fair a goner". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  9. ↑ Oosting, Jonathan (April 9, 2012). "Snyder: Former state fairgrounds in Detroit would be 'natural location' for commuter rail station". MLive. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  10. ↑ Oosting, Jonathan (April 9, 2012). "Snyder to sign bills fast tracking sale of Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit". MLive. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  11. ↑ Martinez, Shandra (July 17, 2013). "Meijer to open $20 million supercenter on Detroit's 8 Mile next week". MLive. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  12. ↑ Martinez, Shandra (July 25, 2013). "First Detroit Meijer store: Fred would have been 'thrilled', say his three sons". MLive. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  13. ↑ Wethington, Lauren (January 27, 2022). "Public says goodbye to Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum as demolition nears". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  14. ↑ Reindl, J. C. (July 26, 2023). "Newly open Amazon Fulfillment Center employs 1,200+ people, mostly Detroit residents". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  15. ↑ Jaffe, Greg; Gowen, Annie (April 13, 2020). "The high price of keeping Detroit moving". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  16. ↑ Witsil, Frank (April 3, 2020). "After Detroit bus driver's death and another infection, workers question what is essential". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
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