“While the discussion in November was linked to ownership of the venue, nothing has been disclosed on how construction would be funded or by whom,” said the story written by Bill Shea. ”Sports arena financing deals often are a blend of tax dollars and private money, and the Ilitches have stated publicly that their intention is to make a “substantial investment” in what they want to be a public-private partnership.

“The fund, which can sell low-interest bonds for projects, is an autonomous board within the quasi-public MEDC and was created in 1984 to promote economic development. The fund owns the Cadillac Place office building in Detroit’s New Center area and the Michigan House of Representatives Building (Anderson Office Building) in downtown Lansing, the MEDC said.”