(WWJ) The Detroit Grand Prix is moving back to downtown.
Detroit City Council members Wednesday afternoon unanimously approved a resolution calling for the city to enter into a contract with the organizers of the Detroit Grand Prix and to issue permits for the events that would take place in the summer of 2023.
The city's executive policy manager, Irvin Corley, told council members that moving the races to downtown near the Renaissance Center will bring more money into the city.
"When you look at the economic benefit that was generated in 2017, that was about about a $64 million impact," Corley said. "So, with a 20% bump they're projecting a $77 million impact to the city of Detroit."
Corley said downtown Detroit businesses could also see $10 million in spending by race fans.
The Grand Prix announced in late September that it was considering moving the races to an area near the Ren Cen, with a course mainly running on a part of Jefferson Ave. and Atwater.
The last Grand Prix race downtown was in 1991. Since then the races have been held on Belle Isle, drawing protest by those concerned about the environmental impact.
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