Plans for Detroit electronic music museum halted by new mayor

Plans to redevelop the infamous ruin of the Packard Automotive Plant in Detroit have been halted by the city's new mayor, Mary Sheffield. 

According to The Detroit News, Mayor Mary Sheffield, who was sworn in as Mayor of Detroit in January 2026, confirmed the rejuvenation project had been shelved last week (March 26) after a letter of intent for the project, submitted by the previous administration on behalf of the city, expired on February 11. 

Former Detroit Mayor Mark Duggan first announced plans for the $50 million rejuvenation project in December, which would have seen the 28-acre development - that has laid dormant for more than 60 years - transformed into a multi-purpose development including housing, an indoor skatepark, two acres of indoor/outdoor public space and recreation areas, and the Museum of Detroit Electronic Music (MODEM).

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Sheffield had initially praised the plans, writing in a statement following the announcement: “For more than 60 years, this site sat idle. The Packard Park will be a symbol of what is possible when Detroiters, public partners, and committed developers work together with imagination and purpose.” 

“This is how we honour our past while building our future — by preserving history, creating jobs, expanding housing, and investing in culture and community all at once," she had written at the time. 

However, Sheffield has now said that her administration wants to explore new options for the site, with a spokesperson telling Click On Detroit: "The Letter of Intent entered into by the prior administration had an expiration date of February 11."

"The Packard Plant site is one of the few available City-owned large contiguous sites in Detroit," the statement continues. "Consequently, the Sheffield Administration wants to take this opportunity to explore a broader range of redevelopment options for the site before moving forward with the proposed plan.”

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The Packard Automotive Plant has been a symbol of Detroit's post-industrial decline, sitting mostly abandoned since the car factory ceased operations in 1958. The ruin has been credited as the "epicentre" of Detroit's rave scene in the '90s, having hosted Richie Hawtin's Spastik parties and the famous DJ Godfather vs. Gary Chandler battle. 

Responding to Sheffield's decision in a statement, Packard Park development team Mark Bennett and Oren Goldenberg said: “The project had been progressing just months after it was announced, but we understand that a new administration can have new priorities. 

“It remains our vision, with our many partners, to preserve the legacy of the Packard site and bring jobs to the City of Detroit. We stand ready to help Detroit with this mission,” they continue.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on X