WSU approves $65 million for Hilberry cultural complex, including high-end jazz center

Detroit Free Press

Renderings show the future Hilberry Gateway Performance Complex at Detroit's Wayne State University, including the renovated Hilberry Theater and new Gretchen Valade Jazz Center.

The Wayne State Board of Governors unanimously voted Friday to green-light a long-planned performance and education project along Cass Avenue.

The Hilberry Gateway Performance Complex is a $65 million endeavor that includes a makeover of the existing Hilberry Theatre — which will become the Gretchen Valade Jazz Center — and construction of a new auditorium for the university's theater department.

Gretchen Valade's WSU jazz gift now $9.5 million

'World-class' $7.5-million jazz hub set for Wayne State

Gretchen Valade, who is making a multimillion dollar contribution to the Wayne State University jazz center, speaks with the Detroit Free Press at her home in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018.

Valade, the Carhartt heiress who has become the most prominent benefactor in Detroit jazz, is contributing $9.5 million to the development.

Today's approval follows the board's January vote to issue bonds for the project. Work is expected to start this fall.