A RETURN AND A BEGINNING
The Detroit Lions Break Ground on Ford Field
by Jerry Barca
Detroitlions.com
Detroit, Mich.- Mark Tuesday, November 16, 1999 as the day bricks were placed and team was welcomed home to a city that has never left their side. It is the day that officially starts construction on a new home for the Detroit Lions, a day made possible by the commitment of an organization bent on returning to their former residence.
"There’s no place like home and we’re back home," said the Chairman and President of the Detroit
Lions Mr. William Clay Ford. Mr. Ford was the first to address the hundreds attending the
"From the Ground Up" ceremony.
Following Mr. Ford in speaking to crowd on the sixth floor of the old Hudson’s
warehouse were his son, Lions’ Vice Chariman William Clay Ford Jr., the mayor of
Detroit, the Honorable Dennis Archer, Wayne County Executive Edward McNamara and the
President of the Ford Motor Company, Jacques Nasser.
After brief remarks from each speaker, a group of representatives from several
organizations making the new stadium a reality, literally began the construction from the
ground up by signing bricks and placing them on a wall. Partaking in the masonry were
dignitaries, current and former Detroit Lions’ players, members of the Detroit
Lions’ front office and youth football players from the Detroit Police Athletic
League. Each signed brick will be included in the structure that will form the stadium.
Today was the first event in a long line of memories that will be created at Beacon and
St. Antoine. In the heart of the Motor City there will be a state of the art domed stadium
with an outdoor feel. Ford Field is the name of the new Lions’ stadium that will take
its place as one of the top sporting venues in the nation.
"First and foremost we wanted a great football stadium with tremendous sight lines
and first class facilities and amenities for our fans," said Mr. Ford Jr.
"Detroit Lions’ fans are the best in the country and they deserve the best
stadium in the country."
Ford Field will seat 65,000 spectators and hold 120 luxury suites that will be housed
in the old Hudson’s warehouse. Uniquely to modern stadiums, Ford Field’s highest
seat is comparable to the first row of seats on the upper decks of most new stadiums.
Rather than sitting in a sterile indoor environment fans will have a view of the city
skyline with natural light shining through the glass wall at the main entrance of Adams
and Brush.
"I like what I see (in the design of the stadium)," said Lions’
quarterback Charlie Batch, who was one of the brick layers. "It is definitely going
to be exciting to come back down here and play. It is great for the city and the
fans."
The Detroit Lions organization has made a committed effort to the city by bringing the
honolulu blue and silver back to downtown Detroit. With that commitment the Lions
organization is taking pride in returning to the city as well as playing a major role in
the revitalization of Motown.
"It has been 25 years, almost to the day that the Lions last played in the city of
Detroit," said Mr. Ford, Jr. "This ground-breaking ceremony is a very important
milestone."
The monumental occasion brings a team on the rise together with a city that is in the
process of a rebirth.
"I’ve been looking forward to this ever since the historic announcement that
the Detroit Lions would be building a brand new stadium in downtown Detroit," said
Mayor Archer. "The truth is that the people of Detroit have been hoping that this day
might come ever since the Lions played in Tiger Stadium for the last time, way back in
1974."
"The move that is being initiated today is going to be looked at as a great day,
particularly for the city of Detroit," said Lions’ Hall of Famer Lem Barney, who
also took part in the ground breaking.
Truly today’s ceremony is a return, but more than a coming home it is a gathering
commencing a greatness that will be seen for many years beyond the first kickoff on the
turf of Ford Field.
"What has happened here is a catalyst for many great things to come," said
Wayne County Executive Edward McNamara.
What has occurred is far for than a ground breaking. The laying of bricks are the
foundation for a stadium that will create memories for city loyal to its team. Ford Field
will be the place where many will flock and experience a one of a kind stadium. It will be
the place where fathers will take their sons to see legends play in epic battles of the
gridiron. And decades from now it will viewed as one of the foundations in the proud city
of Detroit.
LIONS BEGIN SUITE SALES
October 5, 2000
Copyright 2000 MediaVentures
The Detroit Lions will soon open a sample luxury suite to prospective buyers in a former warehouse that will be part of the team's new stadium. The suites will overlook
the field of the 65,000-seat stadium that will open in 2002. An atrium will separate the suites from office space in the same warehouse.
The suites will all be located on Ford Field's south side, but a two-story club on the north side could be converted to suites if demand exists.
The suites will hold 10 to 30 seats and will lease for $70,000 to $200,000 per year.
