Name: Detroit Pistons' Palace of Auburn Hills imploded in a cloud of dust to cheers and shock
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Detroit Pistons' Palace of Auburn Hills imploded in a cloud of dust to cheers and shock

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Share This Story!Let friends in your social network know what you are reading aboutSpectators gathered to watch the implosion of the Palace of Auburn Hills, the former home of the Detroit Pistons and Detroit ShockA link has been sent to your friend's email address.A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Join the ConversationTo find out more about Facebook commenting please read theWelcome to our new and improved comments.This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.You will need to register before adding a comment.Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.Please be polite.It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.If you see comments in violation of our , please report them.CLOSEWatch as the roof structure and columns of the former entertainment arena of the Palace of Auburn Hills implode July 11, 2020.It was the site of six championships between the and Shock, thousands of regular season basketball games, hundreds of playoff games and some of the greatest moments in Detroit sports history.&nbsp;It hosted some of the most notable concerts in the state, with performances by Michael Jackson, Sting, Madonna, Prince and dozens of others.&nbsp;And as of Saturday, it is no more.&nbsp; was imploded Saturday morning, ending a years-long shuttering process that began when the Pistons moved to downtown Detroit to&nbsp;Little Caesars Arena in 2017.&nbsp;The end of an era as the remains of the Palace at Auburn Hills comes downA link has been posted to your Facebook feed. ReplaySpectators gathered across the street to watch the implosion, which occurred at 8 a.m. Explosives brought down what was left of the 32-year-old arena, which consisted of tall columns and a roof , in a matter of seconds.&nbsp;The barren arena collapsed in a cloud of dust and drew cheers and reactions of shock from onlookers.&nbsp;It’s unclear what the site will be used for, but Livonia-based developer Schostak Brothers &amp; Co., which purchased the land from Pistons owner Tom Gores last summer, is planning to redevelop the roughly 100-acre property as a mixed-use office park.&nbsp;“We’re very excited about this day,” William Hall, project manager at Schostak Brothers &amp; Co., said. “This is the implosion of the roof structure and columns today. Opens up the very exciting future development for surrounding property. This property is going to be redeveloped and bring hundreds of jobs. Very exciting opportunities for southeast Michigan as well as the city of Auburn Hills.”&nbsp; to great fanfare. Then-Pistons owner Bill Davidson privately financed the $90 million arena, around $200 million in today’s dollars.&nbsp;Unforgettable Pistons moments at the PalaceA link has been posted to your Facebook feed. ReplayThanks to an ahead-of-its-time design that features 180 luxury suites and more than $100 million in renovations through the years, the Palace was well-maintained through its final days. The Pistons , and the final event held at the venue was a Bob Seger concert Sept. 23, 2017.The Pistons maintained their offices at the Palace and continued to use it as a practice facility until last October, when the Homrich, a demolition contractor, was tasked with the demolition and implosion. Scott Homrich, CEO of the company, estimated that it’ll take a few months of cleanup before the process is completely finished.&nbsp;“There’s a lot of engineering that goes behind it,” he said. “Basically, the explosives are helping gravity along the way. This one is pretty straightforward. You’ll have the explosives start off on one side of the building and they’ll be about a five-second delay from one side to the other. And then after that five seconds goes off there will be about a three-second pause, and then the charges will actually go off and start from one side to the other. There’s been multiple checks of the different wiring and going through the process to make sure everything goes off good today.”&nbsp;Everything went according to plan, and he expressed optimism the new development on the site will serve the Auburn Hills community well.&nbsp;“The development that’s here is going to be incredible for the area,” he said. “It’s good to see abandoned things not sit abandoned. They’ve done a good job of using this through its useful life and moving it on and get something else in here that brings in good tax revenue, people’s jobs, so on and so forth. They’ve done a good job of it.”CLOSEA quick look at the Palace of Auburn Hills as the Detroit Pistons prepare to move out after 29 years in the venue.to help improve our site experience!More Stories

Share This Story!Let friends in your social network know what you are reading aboutSpectators gathered to watch the implosion of the Palace of Auburn Hills, the former home of the Detroit Pistons and Detroit ShockA link has been sent to your friend's email address.A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. Join the ConversationTo find out more about Facebook commenting please read theWelcome to our new and improved comments.This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.You will need to register before adding a...

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Omari Sankofa II

The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, US. The Sunday edition is titled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes referred to as the Freep (reflected in the paper's web address, www.freep.com). It primarily serves Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Washtenaw, and Monroe counties.  The Free Press is also the largest city newspaper owned by Gannett, which also publishes USA Today. The Free Press has received ten Pulitzer Prizes and four Emmy Awards. Its motto is "On Guard for 189 Years".

Detroit Pistons' Palace of Auburn Hills imploded in a cloud of dust to cheers and shock

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