Cobo Center (formerly
Cobo Hall) is a
convention center situated along Jefferson and Washington avenues in downtown
Detroit. It was named for
Albert E. Cobo,
mayor of Detroit from 1950 to 1957. Designed by
Gino Rossetti, the center opened in 1960. Expanded in 1989, the present complex contains of exhibition space, with 623,000 square feet contiguous. Preliminary construction to update and further expand the center's exhibition space began October 1, 2009, by the facility's current owner, the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA). Along with adjacent
Joe Louis Arena, the center is served by the
Detroit People Mover with
its own station. Cobo Center has several large, attached parking garages, and direct access to the
Lodge Freeway. The facility is located along the
Detroit International Riverfront.