For decades it looked as if nothing would ever become of the vacant Packard Plant on the Detroit's east side. The big hulk of industrial decay was a great attraction for photographers around the world, explorers, scavengers and the homeless. But that was about it.
Now, the much-anticipated redevelopment is set to begin next month with a May 16 groundbreaking on the first of four planned phases, reports JC Reindl of the Detroit Free Press.
The first phase, estimated to cost $16-million, will transform the 121,000-square-foot administrative building, 1580 E. Grand Blvd., into new commercial office space. Redevelopment is expected to take 18 to 24 months and a half-dozen tenants are already lined, the Freep reports.
Owner Fernando Palazuelo's hopes to convert the 40-acre site on Detroit's east side into a commerce and cultural activities over 10 to 15 years.
