Time is running short for the city of Detroit’s deadline on finalizing a deal that would clear the way for the first new auto plant in the city in 30 years.
Fiat Chrysler hopes to invest 1.6 billion dollars in expanding its Mack Avenue facilities with a new plant and investing another 900-million dollars to modernize its Jefferson North Assembly Plant.
The moves would clear the road for building the next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee and a new plug-in hybrid version of its highly profitable SUV.
The plan involves acquiring 200 acres of land, shutting down a street and tearing down an old power plant.
Only one private owner has yet to reach a deal with the city … that’s the Maroun family.
The family owns the 80-acre former Budd plant site near Charlevoix and Conner.
City officials say talks have been continuing and they hope a deal will be reached in time for this Saturday’s deadline for submitting the city’s land assembly plan to the City Council.
Fiat Chrysler says its investment will bring some 5-thousand new jobs into the city.
Mayor Duggan tells WJR the talks are continuing.