DETROIT
The Cobo Center is in the midst of a five-year renovation and expansion. The facility just opened a 40,000-square-foot ballroom and a three-story, 50,000-square-foot atrium with an entrance on the Detroit River. Other improvements include 25,000 additional square feet of meeting space and the redevelopment of the parking garages and the east side of the complex. The $299 million project will be completed by Jan. 1, 2015.
The 365-room Crowne Plaza Detroit Downtown Riverfront recently opened across from the Cobo Center with 10,000 square feet of meeting space.
The 1,300-room Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center plans to finish a renovation by January 2015. The facility offers 34 meeting rooms in 100,000 square feet of event space.
The 129-room Aloft Detroit will open in late 2014 as part of a renovation and mixed-use development in the landmark David Whitney Building.
ANN ARBOR
The Holiday Inn Ann Arbor near the University of Michigan recently completed a $5 million renovation that included enhancements to guest rooms and meeting space.
The Clarion Hotel and Conference Center plans to finish a renovation by the end of this year.
Two new properties are slated to open in Ann Arbor later this year: a 100-room Hampton Inn (www.hamptoninn.com) and a 112-room Holiday inn Express.
LANSING
The 86-room Hampton Inn and Suites Lansing West opened last September with meeting space for up to 60 people.
The Lansing Lexington Hotel underwent renovations and was reflagged as the Crowne Plaza Lansing West last October. The facility offers 212 guest rooms and more than 17,000 square feet of meeting space.
GRAND RAPIDS
The 226-room Hilton Grand Rapids Airport will undergo a $3 million renovation this summer. Enhancements will be made to the ballroom, the lobby and the restaurant.
The 682-room Amway Grand Plaza Hotel is undergoing renovations of its tower side guest rooms. The project is slated for completion by the end of the year.
TRAVERSE CITY
The Bijou by the Bay movie house opened last fall in the historic Con Foster building after a $1 million renovation. The theater features state-of-the-art equipment and will screen first-run films.
The historic Kirkbride Hall, part of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, is being restored and turned into a meeting and event facility. The hall will open in May with space for 250 attendees theater style or 150 banquet style.