MODEM museum scrapped as Packard Plant plans stall

Packard Plant redevelopment halted; MODEM museum plan scrapped marks a significant turn in Detroit’s urban development landscape. The ambitious $50 million project, initially aimed at transforming the historic Packard Plant into a vibrant, multi-use site, has been halted by Mayor Mary Sheffield. Originally conceptualized by former Mayor Mike Duggan, the plan included creating the Museum of Detroit Electronic Music (MODEM), amongst other facilities like an indoor skate park and affordable housing. The Packard Plant, renowned for its industrial history and iconic design by Albert Kahn, has been reconsidered under the new administration, which seeks alternative uses for the city-owned site.

At its peak the Packard Plant employed up to 40,000 workers and later ceased regular operations in 1962, after which the complex fell into disuse and a state of ruin. Over subsequent decades the abandoned site served as an informal venue for underground events and parties, including the Spastik series associated with Richie Hawtin, reflecting its long-standing presence in Detroit’s alternative cultural history. Entrepreneurs Mark Bennett and Oren Goldenberg submitted a refurbishment proposal for the property, indicating private interest in repurposing the former industrial site.

The refurbishment proposal carried a formal deadline of February 11, 2026, as part of the prior effort to move the project forward. The current city administration describes the property as a strategic, city-owned, contiguous plot and has stated a desire to consider alternative options for its future use. The available sources do not provide detailed descriptions of the alternative options the new administration is considering.

Named individuals associated with the Packard Plant project include Mary Sheffield, Mike Duggan, Mark Bennett, Oren Goldenberg, Richie Hawtin, and Albert Kahn. Organizations and initiatives referenced in the proposal and reporting include the Packard Plant and the Museum of Detroit Electronic Music (MODEM). Cultural references linked to the site and its planned reuse include the Spastik series and Detroit Techno Week. Entrepreneurs Mark Bennett and Oren Goldenberg are identified as having submitted a refurbishment proposal, and former mayor Mike Duggan is described as proposing the overall plan and supporting Detroit Techno Week.

The refurbishment proposal for the Packard Plant carried a formal submission deadline of February 11, 2026. The planned refurbishment was estimated at about $50 million and aimed to repurpose the former factory into a multi-use site including an indoor skate park, affordable housing, and the Museum of Detroit Electronic Music (MODEM). Entrepreneurs Mark Bennett and Oren Goldenberg had submitted the refurbishment proposal tied to that deadline. Former mayor Mike Duggan had proposed the broader redevelopment plan and supported Detroit Techno Week.

Mayor Mary Sheffield officially halted the renovation plans after the deadline, removing city endorsement for the proposed project. The new administration has described the Packard Plant as a strategic, city-owned, contiguous plot and has expressed intent to consider alternative options for the site. The available sources do not provide further details about the process, criteria, or a formal document recording Sheffield’s decision. The available sources do not provide information about any next formal steps or timelines for the administration’s review of alternative options.

The available sources do not provide additional details about the new administration’s plans for the Packard Plant site beyond high-level characterizations of the property as strategically important. They do not provide descriptions of the alternative development options under consideration, specific policy goals guiding any review, or proposed timelines for decision-making on the site. The sources do not identify which city offices or officials would lead a re-evaluation of the property, nor do they describe whether a formal public process or stakeholder consultations will take place. The available sources do not provide this information.

The available sources also do not supply further comparative details that would allow a factual contrast between the prior private refurbishment proposal and any alternatives the administration may be considering. They do not specify whether previously submitted private proposals remain under consideration, have been formally withdrawn, or will be subject to renegotiation under new terms. The sources do not provide information about any financial, legal, or planning analyses the city has completed or commissioned regarding alternative uses for the property. The available sources do not provide this information.

Photograph of the Packard Plant in Detroit, shown here for context in reporting on redevelopment discussions. The image illustrates the site’s industrial architecture and its role in local cultural activities over recent decades. It is included to accompany reporting about proposals and decisions concerning the property’s future.

Reporting indicates the proposed $50 million refurbishment of the Packard Plant, which had included the Museum of Detroit Electronic Music (MODEM) and other uses, will not proceed under the current city administration after a formal submission deadline of February 11, 2026, passed and Mayor Mary Sheffield halted the renovation plans. The private proposal submitted by entrepreneurs Mark Bennett and Oren Goldenberg had sought to repurpose the former Packard car factory—designed in 1903 by Albert Kahn and once employing up to 40,000 workers—into a multi-use site with an indoor skate park and affordable housing alongside MODEM.

The site has a history of closure in 1962 and later informal cultural uses such as underground parties including the Spastik series. City officials have characterized the property as a strategic, city-owned, contiguous plot and stated an intention to consider alternative options; the available reporting does not provide further details or timelines.