The construction of Ford Field in downtown Detroit was a significant undertaking, transforming the city’s landscape and providing a state-of-the-art home for the Detroit Lions. This timeline details the key milestones in the building of this iconic stadium, located on Brush Street in Detroit, MI.
August 20, 1996: The Detroit Lions publicly announced their ambitious plans to construct a new domed stadium in the heart of downtown Detroit. This marked the beginning of a journey to create a modern sporting venue within the city center.
November 5, 1996: Wayne County voters demonstrated overwhelming support for the project. In a historic referendum, the proposal to build a domed stadium for the Detroit Lions, alongside a new baseball park for the Detroit Tigers, received a resounding 68-32 percent approval. This victory represented the largest margin in NFL stadium election history and paved the way for the stadium’s development.
November 16, 1999: Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new stadium, officially named Ford Field, took place. The “From the Ground Up” event unveiled renderings of the future stadium, signifying the official commencement of construction.
February 2000: Foundation work began with the installation of 380 concrete caissons. Workers drilled deep into the earth, approximately 100 feet below the surface, to reach the hardpan – a dense gravel layer resting on bedrock. These caissons provided a solid and stable foundation for the massive structure of Ford Field.
April 17, 2000: Demolition commenced on a 250,000 square-foot section of the historic Hudson’s Warehouse. This area was designated for the striking glass wall on the southwest corner of Ford Field, blending the old with the new.
April 24, 2000: Construction contracts were awarded, solidifying the partnerships that would bring Ford Field to life. A joint venture between Hunt Construction Group of Indianapolis and Jenkins Construction of Detroit was selected for the major construction tasks, including the playing field, seating bowl, and roof. Detroit-based White/Olson, LLC was contracted to manage the reconstruction of the Warehouse portion of the project.
June 13, 2000: Above-grade concrete work began, shaping the stadium’s upper bowl and providing the initial visual structure of the rising venue.
September 2000: Below-grade foundation work to the north of the warehouse site was successfully completed, keeping the project on schedule.
October 2000: Work commenced on the roof and atrium sections integrated with the warehouse, showcasing the unique design that incorporated the existing structure.
November 1, 2000: A significant vote of confidence came from the NFL owners. They unanimously approved the city of Detroit as the host for Super Bowl XL, to be held at Ford Field on February 5, 2006, even before the stadium was completed.
November 17, 2000: Detroitlions.com launched the Ford Field Web Cam. This innovative feature provided real-time updates on the construction progress, allowing fans and the public to follow the stadium’s development virtually.
November 2000: The Detroit Lions established a new marketing and project office in Harmonie Park, Detroit, further embedding the project within the city’s landscape.
December 2000: The crucial caisson installation phase was completed, ensuring the foundation’s integrity for the structure to come.
April 28, 2001: The first steel beams were lifted, reaching 120 feet high in the southwest corner. This marked the start of assembling the stadium’s roof structure, a visually impressive phase of construction.
October 2001: Installation of seats in the upper bowl began, bringing the seating capacity to life and providing a tangible sense of the stadium’s scale.
November 2, 2001: The first massive roof lift was successfully completed. This groundbreaking engineering feat was the first of its kind in the United States. A computerized system of pulleys, cables, and jacks lifted the 2,800-ton (5.6 million lbs.) steel structure, spanning 450 feet, into place.
December 2001: Excavation work began to remove approximately 300,000 cubic yards of soil and clay. This earthmoving task shaped the lower bowl and the field level portion of the stadium, preparing the ground for the playing surface.
December 16, 2001: The second massive roof truss lift was completed, continuing the complex process of assembling the stadium’s distinctive roof.
January 24, 2002: The Lions ticket office relocated to a downtown office in Harmonie Park, Detroit, as ticket operations prepared for the move into Ford Field in the fall of 2002.
February 11, 2002: Season ticket holders began the seat relocation process. Reflecting the long-standing fan base, the first appointments included accounts dating back to 1950, highlighting the anticipation for the new stadium.
March 28, 2002: The NFL schedule for 2002 was released, announcing the Detroit Lions hosting the Green Bay Packers on September 22. This matchup was designated as the inaugural regular season game at Ford Field, generating significant excitement.
May 2002: Installation of the large video boards commenced, adding the modern technological elements essential for a contemporary stadium experience.
May 1, 2002: Lower bowl seat installation began, progressing towards completing the stadium’s seating areas.
May 2, 2002: Levy Restaurants was announced as the official caterer and concessionaire for Ford Field. A food testing event at the Harmonie Park Ford Field Project previewed the culinary offerings for the new venue.
May 7, 2002: Ford Field slated its first major concert, announcing The Rolling Stones would perform on October 12, 2002, demonstrating the stadium’s versatility beyond football.
Projects Completed in June 2002:
- Installation of all upper bowl and suite seats was finalized.
- Two 97 feet-by-27 feet LED digital video scoreboards were installed, ready to display game action and information.
- Bathroom facilities were completed, essential for fan comfort and stadium operations.
- Concession stands were outfitted with equipment, preparing for food and beverage service.
- Carpet installation was completed in banquet rooms, suites, and the press box, adding finishing touches to interior spaces.
- Brick-like concrete pathways were poured for the glass wall (southwest) atrium, shaping the aesthetic features of the stadium’s entrance.
- Half of the field level construction was completed, moving closer to the finished playing surface.
- Half of the seats in the lower bowl were installed, continuing the seating build-out.
- Brick paving of Adams Street commenced, improving the surrounding infrastructure.
Projects Completed in July 2002:
- Three-quarters of the field level was poured, nearing completion of the playing surface base.
- The final quarter of the field level was graded and prepared, setting the stage for turf installation.
- Lower-bowl seating installation continued, progressing towards full seating capacity.
- The roof membrane, a skin-like finish, was installed, weatherproofing the stadium.
- The east side upper glass wall was finished, adding to the stadium’s modern design elements.
- Fixtures in suites were installed and cleaned, preparing premium seating areas for use.
- Kitchen equipment was calibrated, ensuring operational readiness for food services.
- The stadium sound system was installed in the roof structure, providing audio capabilities for events.
- White baffling material was hung from the ceiling to reduce acoustic distortion, optimizing sound quality within the domed stadium.
- Roof installation was fully completed, enclosing the stadium.
- The sound and video system and scoreboard were calibrated, ensuring functionality for events.
- Seat cup holders were installed, enhancing fan convenience.
- The main glass wall (southwest) atrium glass was installed, completing the striking architectural feature.
Projects Completed in August 2002:
- The Lions moved their Harmonie Park offices into the Ford Field warehouse, consolidating operations at the new stadium site.
- Stadium exterior brick walkways were paved, improving pedestrian access and aesthetics.
- The final section of the field level was poured, completing the base for the playing surface.
- FieldTurf was installed, creating the playing surface for football games and other events.
- Stadium exterior landscaping was completed, enhancing the visual appeal of Ford Field and its surroundings.
- Ford Field stadium staff underwent training, preparing for the stadium’s opening and operations.
This detailed timeline illustrates the complex and phased construction process that brought Ford Field, located on Brush Street in Detroit, MI, from concept to reality, creating a landmark venue for sports and entertainment in the city.
