Officials gather for $17 million Mercado/Welcome Center ribbon cutting

Local,
state and federal officials from across the state helped cut the ribbon
on Mexicantown’s International Welcome Center & Mercado Thursday
morning.

The project is nearly complete and a grand opening is
planned for Cinco de Mayo.

The $17-million project features a
state Welcome Center for travelers using the Ambassador Bridge, along with
retail, restaurant and office space. There is also a public plaza in
front of the welcome center.

The development is located at the
base of the Ambassador Bridge on the corner of Bagley and 20th Street.
A pedestrian bridge is planned to span I-75 to connect Bagley to both
sides of the Southwest community.

The combined center is
expected to become a major tourist site and retail area for Detroit and
the Southwest side. Officials estimate it will draw over a million
people each year.

Anzaldua/Garrison, A Joint Venture, are the contractors on the project. Construction began October 2003.

Source: Mexicantown Community Development Corporation.
Writer: Jon Zemke