DETROIT – Professional soccer is set to make a significant impact in Southwest Detroit with the announcement of a new timeline for demolishing the former hospital site and constructing a stadium.
Earlier this month, the Detroit City Council approved a plan to reimburse the Detroit City Football Club for the new stadium project, which is expected to cost over $6 million.
The hospital site, which has been empty since 2007, has become something of an eyesore in the community. The new timeline indicates that work is expected to begin before the end of this summer.
Related: What happened to the abandoned hospital Detroit City FC acquired?
Currently, the Detroit City Football Club plays its home matches at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck. However, with the recent approval for funding, the club is set to demolish the vacant Southwest Detroit Hospital to make way for the new stadium.
Located near Corktown and Mexicantown, the abandoned hospital was acquired by the club in 2024. The privately financed soccer stadium will have a capacity of 15,000, more than double the 7,200 capacity of Keyworth Stadium.
Reports indicate that demolition could begin as soon as July. However, the basement of the former hospital is flooded with over 2 million gallons of water, necessitating a draining and filtering process that could take some time.
The new soccer-specific stadium is expected to be open before the 2027 season.
