Detroit (WWJ/AP) -- Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick might not be in office to see it happen, but he's launching a $288 million proposal for expanding the Cobo Center convention venue.
It's the latest effort to break a deadlock over modernizing Cobo, seen as a key to retaining the North American International Auto Show and drawing other convention business.
Kilpatrick, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano announced a $595 million plan in January to add 120,000 square feet to Cobo. It now has about 700,000 square feet of exhibition space.
Kilpatrick said Sunday the new plan would add 166,700 square feet.
The mayor faces two separate felony prosecutions and Sept. 3 removal proceedings at which Granholm is to preside.
Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said the mayor's announcement was premature.
``We were not aware that the city was going to make these statements,'' Boyd said. ``But, obviously great progress has been made.''
Whatever else may be happening at city hall these days, Deputy Mayor Kandia Milton said it's important to push ahead with the Cobo expansion effort.
``We need to get moving yesterday,'' said Milton. ``We need to see some substantial progress in the Legislature as soon as they return from their summer recess.''
Ficano said Wayne County officials agree ``conceptually'' on the designs that Kilpatrick's office released but said there are many unanswered questions with the Ilitch family over Cobo Arena and how to pay for the project.
The Ilitches own Olympia Entertainment, which operates Cobo Arena.
``The architectural plans were agreed to months ago,'' Ficano told the Detroit Free Press. ``The financial plan is actually the key to it.''
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has opposed several financing plans for expanding Cobo, and he said Kilpatrick didn't consult him about the new plan.
Speaking live on WWJ, Patterson said, ``I'm a wee bit miffed that this stuff goes public before we've had a chance to [examine] it."
``Nobody called us,'' Patterson told The Detroit News. ``That's a hell of a way to treat a partner.''
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