Little Caesars Arena

Client
The City of Detroit,
Downtown Development Authority

Location
Detroit, Michigan

Services
Civil Engineering
Planning
Surveying

Completion Date
2017

Cost
$450 Million

Little Caesars Arena is the of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and other sports, entertainment and community events. The arena is located in the heart of The District Detroit, a 50-block sports and entertainment district contributing to Detroit’s incredible comeback with new retail, office and residential developments. Giffels Webster was the Surveyor and Civil Engineer for the project and performed the design, permitting and ongoing construction administration of site civil infrastructure improvements for Little Caesars Arena and the surrounding rights-of-way. Significant infrastructure improvements and relocations were required to facilitate the land assembly, combining four (4) city blocks into one (1) parcel. This effort included vacating portions of Park Avenue and Sibley Street and adjacent alleys. Said vacations required the relocation and reconstruction of a 42” combined sewer. Further improvements include a new public water main and sewer around the entire project site. We spearheaded the considerable coordination efforts with DTE Energy to relocate a 20” gas main and reconfigure their underground electrical network to allow the vacations and to support the new loads for the arena. New, completely reconstructed roads and sidewalks surrounding the area where designed to support the walkable nature of the development. Lastly, working closely with the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association, Department of Homeland Security, Red Wings, Pistons, the State of Michigan, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the City of Detroit and the QLine, an innovative vehicular hardened perimeter to meet Department of Defense requirements was constructed. The system provides a balance of providing the vehicular barrier required while keeping the pedestrian environment comfortable, walkable and inviting.