Hamtramck Stadium

Hamtramck Stadium was dedicated in 1930 and served as the home of the Detroit Stars and the Detroit Wolves of the Negro Leagues. As one the few remaining Negro League ballparks in the United States, Hamtramck stadium was recognized on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. The City was awarded the African American Civil Rights Grant to complete pre-development planning for Hamtramck Stadium. In 2018, As part of the planning project, Brian Powers (with SmithGroup) was tasked to complete a Historic Structures Report and create a conceptual vision for the stadium and grounds to serve the community into the future.

The Historic Structures Report documents the history of the stadium, its physical conditions, and rehabilitation recommendations for future use. The conceptual design includes the rehabilitated grandstand, multi-sport field, event support spaces, and a community pavilion. Input from the community shaped the programmatic uses and adjacencies to deliver a vision that reflects the significant history of the stadium and serve the current and future residents of the diverse City of Hamtramck.

The ballpark is currently in the first phase of rehabilitation. Brian is leading the SmithGroup team while working closely with Wayne County to rehabilitate the existing grandstand structure, including the roof, wood seating deck, bleachers and steel super structure to it’s original 1930’s grandeur as a part of the centennial celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the Negro Leagues in 2020.