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    All-Centennial Team

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    Stanley Cup Champs

    Red Wings unveil plans for new arena and downtown rennovation set for 2017 opening

    You can start organizing the final goodbyes to The Joe.
    The Detroit Red Wings, led in a presentation by owner Mike Illitch, unveiled the renderings and business plans for a new 20,000 seat arena that will serve as the crown jewel in a renovation project that aims to revitalize downtown Detroit in the coming years. 

    Say hello to the new Joe...oooor the new "Insert Corporate Name Here" Arena (via www.wkyz.com)

    Speaking through the press release, Illitch hopes to energize the cash-stricken city of Detroit with the new downtown sector, which will include numerous restaurants, entertainment venues, and residential spots that will aim to inject downtown Motortown with millions of dollars of revenue and economic growth. The project has a completion date set for summer 2017. 
    The borders on this pic really suck....but hey! The arena looks cool enough! (via wxyz.com)


    The Wings have caught a ton of grief over the years in their efforts to secure a new arena, as they've pushed tirelessly to ensure a majority of the arena's finances are paid through public funds. Last June, financing was approved on the $450 million arena, with 58% of the total coming from public funds. The city of Detroit filed for bankruptcy last July.

    Nevermind the awkward situation of yet another professional sports franchise screwing the local population out of paying for their new arena, there also remains the depressing fact that the shelf life on the Joe now officially has an expiration date. Assuming they tear down the iconic arena after moving into the new digs in 2017, it'll join the likes of the Boston Garden, the Montreal Forum and Chicago Stadium as stadiums reduced to rubble and replaced by modern day venues. The feeling won't be the same. And it's a shame.