DETROIT >> Construction at Ford Field was paused on Wednesday for the annual Taste of the Lions benefit to raise money for Eastern Market.
The cranes left early and drapes were installed to keep everyone safe.
When the decision was made to shut down Ford Field for the spring and summer to complete $100 million of renovations, team president Rod Wood said he wanted just two events – the season ticket holders meeting and the Taste of the Lions.
From the size of the crowd, it appeared to be a success.
Five thoughts from Wood on the progress at Ford Field and other offseason concerns:
1. “Everything is on time maybe slightly ahead of schedule so that’s good. If you noticed all the speakers are hung, the ribbon boards are being installed. The framing for the big video boards is going up, it’s not completely in, the club seats are being installed on this side,” Wood said. “You can’t see behind the drapes but the clubs and the new suites are well underway. The corner lounge is well underway. WiFi is essentially done in the bowl. They’re going to finish in the clubs and suites as they do the renovation. So we’re right on schedule.” He expects the new video boards to be done by mid-July so they’ll have a month of testing before the first preseason game.
2. Wood confirmed that the Lions are interested in hosting the NFL draft. No location has been selected for next year. He said the Lions and a number of other cities were invited to the draft in Philadelphia in April to get a close-up look. “We had somebody from our staff and somebody from the city attend to see first-hand what it’s like to hold it. That will help us put our bid together so that we can do it in a way that hopefully picks up on what they did but do it in a Detroit way,” Wood said. He wouldn’t reveal specific but said they could possibly use Ford Field, the Fox Theatre, Campus Martius and/or the riverfront.
3. Bidding for another Super Bowl is also on the agenda. But Wood thinks that won’t take place until the spring. Super Bowl XL was held at Ford Field on Feb. 5, 2006.
4. This was the first time Wood had spoken to the media since the 2017 schedule was released last month. He was “very, very pleased.” “We didn’t get three of the first four at home but we got two of the first four. The way the schedule works – a home, away, home, away rhythm. We’re not going to have a three-game road trip. I think it worked out great,” Wood said. “I’m glad with the primetime games, I was thrilled with the Sunday night game (Oct. 27) against the Steelers. I’m glad to have the Packers here on Week 17. That wasn’t something I asked for but it worked out. Hopefully it’s as meaningful as it was last year.” That’s when the final game determined the NFC North champion. Both teams made the playoffs, but the Packers beat the Lions for division title.
5. No official decision has been made on which of the four new uniforms will be worn at which games. “I have a recommendation. I’m going to wait until next week we have the league meetings,” Wood said. “We’re going to get some direction on, in particular the color rush what we can do there. If we get the decision I want I’ll probably be announcing next week what the plans are.” His hope is that they’ll be able to wear all four in games – home, road, throwback and color rush.
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