NFL draft spurs downtown projects in Detroit [Video]

DETROIT – There are less than 65 days until the NFL draft is here in Detroit. Last year, the draft generated $160 million for Kansas City’s economy, with 300,000 people visiting.

As Detroit plans to welcome a similar, maybe even more, people, Detroit’s Downtown Development Authority is working on improvements that are expected to benefit people who live, work, and visit downtown way past Draft weekend.

“It’s just not a one-off,” said Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of Detroit Economic Growth, the organization DDA is part of. “But yes, the light shines brightest on the biggest prize, and this is a big prize for the city of Detroit to host the draft.”

The DDA has five projects they’re working to complete by draft weekend, April 25-27. Some of them are updates like replacing brick pavers on sidewalks on Woodward Avenue from Park Avenue to State Street and repairing about 1,000 light …