Detroit officials have announced a $50 million plan to transform part of the abandoned Packard Automotive Plant into a new cultural and recreational hub, including the Museum of Detroit Electronic Music (MODEM). The announcement was made on December 1 by Mayor Mark Duggan.
From Industrial Giant to Rave-Era Icon
The Packard Plant, located on Detroit’s East Side, has been largely vacant since the factory shut down in 1958, becoming a lasting symbol of the city’s industrial decline.
In the 1990s, the Albert Kahn–designed structure became a central site for Detroit’s underground rave movement. It hosted Richie Hawtin’s Spastik parties, along with other legendary events such as the DJ Godfather vs. Gary Chandler battle, cementing the building’s place in electronic music history.
Cultural Footprint in Film, Art, and Music
The plant has also appeared in major film and TV productions, including two installments of Michael Bay’s Transformers, the 2014 horror film It Follows, and the music video for Eminem’s 2009 single “Beautiful.”
In 2015, a Banksy mural titled I remember when all this was trees was discovered inside the ruins and later sold at auction for $137,500.
Details of the $50 Million Redevelopment
The new project will convert the 28-acre southern half of the Packard site into a multi-purpose development named Packard Park. Planned features include:
• New housing
• An indoor skatepark
• Two acres of indoor and outdoor public and recreation space
• MODEM, the Museum of Detroit Electronic Music
• A 393,000-square-foot Class-A industrial building expected to create 300 jobs
If approved, the development is scheduled for completion in 2029.
City Leaders Call It a Turning Point
Mayor Mark Duggan said the project represents a major shift after decades of deterioration.
“Five years ago, the Packard Plant was still standing as Detroit’s most iconic ruin,” he said. “We worked hard to gain title to the property and tear down everything that could not be saved in hopes for a day like this.”
Incoming Mayor Mary Sheffield also praised the redevelopment, saying:
“For more than 60 years, this site sat idle. Today, we declare that those days are over. This is how we honor our past while building our future,by preserving history, creating jobs, expanding housing, and investing in culture and community all at once.”
A New Future for a Historic Site
With MODEM highlighting Detroit’s pioneering role in global electronic music, the Packard Plant project aims to turn a long-abandoned industrial site into a destination for culture, recreation, jobs, and community development.