State Senate bill would rename part of Detroit's Woodward Avenue 'Mike Ilitch Boulevard'

Mike Ilitch

DETROIT – A stretch of Woodward Avenue in Downtown Detroit would be renamed "Mike Ilitch Boulevard" under a proposal introduced in the state Senate on June 15. 

Woodward between Montcalm and East Adams Avenue -- a stretch that runs between the Fox Theatre, the new Little Caesar's corporate headquarters and Comerica Park, all buildings closely tied to the former Tigers owner's legacy -- would be renamed in Ilitch's honor.

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State Sen. Coleman Young, D-Detroit, introduced the legislation on June 15. Woodward, or M-1, is a state highway, necessitating the state legislation. Sens. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, David Knezek, D-Dearborn Heights, Morris Hood, D-Detroit, and Kenneth Horn, R-Frankenmuth, sponsored the bill. 

Ilitch, former Tigers and Detroit Red Wings owner, died on Feb. 10. He made his fortune building Little Caesar's into one of the largest restaurant chains in the world, and invested millions into redeveloping Downtown Detroit. One of his last major projects was Little Caesars Arena, scheduled to open this fall as home for the Red Wings and Detroit Pistons games. 

The proposal was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.Â