Calling it the first such new retail development in the city in decades, officials broke ground on the site of a future 36-acre shopping center Thursday.
Detroiters have long noted the city’s lack of many quality shopping options—especially when it comes to buying groceries.
Officials hope the Gateway Shopping Center--on the former Michigan State fairgrounds at 8 Mile and Woodward-- will help fill some of that void.
The shopping center will be anchored by a Meijer Supercenter—the first Meijer within the Detroit city limits.
“Metro Detroit is our most important market. We have more stores here than in any other community,” Meijer CEO Hank Meijer said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “And finally, in the heart of Metro Detroit-- in the city proper--we get to be a part of as well.”
Plans call for the Gateway Center to open in about a year. Mayor Dave Bing says the development will stand as a “hallmark” in Detroit’s eventual resurgence.
“Detroit really is starting to come back,” Bing said. “And this is just one more indication of how many people want to see our city become great again.”
Bing noted this was the second such groundbreaking this week. Whole Foods broke ground for a new store in Detroit’s Midtown area on Monday.
