Detroit, Michigan – The owner of the Detroit Lions, Sheila Ford Hamp, has submitted a plan to expand the Meijer Performance Center in Detroit, Michigan.
The expansion will add an additional 80,000 square feet of office space, designed to serve both the football operations and the business departments of the team. The number of parking spots will also increase from 275 to 435 to meet the growing demand from fans and staff.
The expanded area will be located on the east side of the facility, near the Detroit River, improving connectivity to major highways and key infrastructure.
Although this is a significant step, the plan comes amid ongoing discussions about the future of the team. Fans are understandably concerned about the long-term direction of the Lions.
Sheila Ford Hamp stated:
"We are committed to investing in the community and the people of Detroit. This new project will create many jobs and benefit the local economy. But we may have to wait for state approval before moving forward."
The plan was submitted in December 2025, with construction expected to begin in summer 2026 and be completed by fall 2028.
However, the reaction from Governor Gretchen Whitmer has left the Lions community disappointed. She expressed concerns about the cost and feasibility of the project, citing the state's need for land to support other important investments.
Whitmer raised concerns that heavily investing in sports infrastructure, while lacking viable options for other community-driven projects, might not be the wisest approach. She said: "The community needs clarity from the owners about the long-term future of the team."
Whitmer's response has disappointed many Lions fans. They feel that rejecting the expansion plan would be unfair to the team, particularly considering the potential positive impact it could have on the local community.
While expanding the Detroit Lions Training Facility is crucial to maintaining the team’s competitiveness, concerns over the team’s future direction have made fans uneasy about the decision.
With plans to break ground in summer 2026, Lions fans will be keeping a close eye on the progress of the project.
They hope that these decisions will lead to positive changes for the team in the near future, offering renewed hope for the Lions and the city of Detroit.
