An area in downtown Detroit that's sat largely empty for decades will be the site of a major new development.
Bedrock Development has broken ground of a 1.4-million square foot project on what's known as the Monroe Blocks.
It will be a mix of office, residential, retail and open space on two city blocks at the corner of Monroe Street and Campus Martius.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony.
He says the centrepiece will be a massive office tower.
Artist's drawing of proposed Campus Martius office tower, December 13, 2018 (courtesy Bedrock Development)
"The 35-storey office building they're going to build is going to be the tallest office building built in Detroit more than a quarter of a century. 14,000 jobs going onto a site that had been vacant for 40 years"
He says Governor Rick Snyder masterminded the legislation making the project possible while returning from a trip to China.
"He came back, he put forward the final version of the My Thrive legislation and with the support of Republicans and Democrats got it through the legislature. It's the reason this historic development is here today. Governor thank-you for everything you've done for our city"
Bedrock Chairman, Developer Dan Gilbert, says this project is essential for the future of Detroit.
Bedrock Development Chairman Dan Gilbert, December 13, 2018 (courtesy FOX 2 Detroit)
"If we want to show people around in Detroit and say open up another location, there's really nowhere to go so we have to build. We have to build to continue to grow. There's no other way to grow but to build. We kid around a bit sand say we're going vertical but the reality is if you're not building you're not growing because we are full as far as office space goes"
Duggan says the project will leverage affordable housing projects in other parts of the city.
The project is slated for completion in 2022.