Detroit 8-1-2002

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Detroit
Where old meets new: Downtown Melbourne

A number of projects are bringing new vitality to downtown Motor City.

The Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center unveiled a $100 million renovation this past February. The 1,350-room property has 100,000 square feet of meeting space and a wireless communications network.

The 65,000-seat Ford Field, home to football’s Lions, is set to debut this month. Comerica Park, for baseball’s Tigers, opened in April 2000.

Attractions within driving distance include the Henry Ford Museum, with exhibits on cars and Americana; music lovers find much to sing about at the Motown Museum.

Another improvement of note: A gleaming new $1.2 billion, 97-gate terminal for Northwest Airlines welcomed its first passengers in February.

• C.B.