Detroit’s iconic Packard Automotive Plant could soon enter a new chapter, with plans underway to transform the long-abandoned site into a vibrant cultural and community destination anchored by an electronic music museum. As part of a proposed $50 million redevelopment, the historic complex on the city’s East Side would become home to the Museum of Detroit Electronic Music (MODEM), alongside affordable housing, public recreation spaces, and Detroit’s first-ever indoor skate park.
Once a symbol of Motor City’s industrial power, the Packard Plant has remained largely dormant since automobile production ended there in 1958. Designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn, the site later gained a second life in the 1990s as a cornerstone of Detroit’s underground music scene, hosting legendary events such as Richie Hawtin’s Spastik warehouse parties and the famed DJ Godfather vs. Gary Chandler battle. Over the years, its haunting, skeletal structures have also served as a backdrop for major films like Transformers and It Follows, as well as Eminem’s music video for “Beautiful.”
If approved, the redevelopment would not only celebrate Detroit’s profound influence on electronic music but also deliver tangible benefits to the surrounding community. Plans estimate the creation of up to 300 jobs, with construction targeted for completion by 2029. The vision extends beyond preservation, aiming to integrate housing, recreation, and cultural programming into a single revitalized district.
Detroit Mayor Mark Duggan reflected on the significance of the moment, noting that just five years ago the Packard Plant stood as the city’s most iconic ruin. He emphasized the extensive efforts required to secure the property and remove unsalvageable structures in anticipation of a future like this. Incoming mayor Mary Sheffield echoed that sentiment, calling the project a powerful symbol of what collaboration and imagination can achieve, while honoring history and investing in culture, jobs, and community all at once.
City council member Scott Benson also praised the proposal, highlighting its potential to transform a long-neglected landmark into a center for employment, housing, and recreation. For many Detroiters, the plan represents long-awaited progress and a hopeful sign of better days ahead for the Packard site.
The proposed museum arrives amid a broader wave of recognition for Detroit’s musical legacy. Earlier this year, the Michigan State University Museum announced Techno: The Rise Of Detroit’s Machine Music, an exhibition featuring an original sound installation by Underground Resistance. Shortly after, the city honored late hip-hop icon J Dilla with a street named in his honor, celebrating his enduring influence on global music culture.
Together, these initiatives underscore Detroit’s continued commitment to preserving its creative heritage while building a future rooted in innovation—an evolution that the rebirth of the Packard Plant could soon embody in concrete, sound, and community.
