Martin spoke about the convention plan with GlobeSt.com minutesafter Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick had left the banquet center atthe Sterling Inn, where he spoke to a Sterling Heights Area Chamberof Commerce luncheon crowd. Kilpatrick says a convention centerthat can accommodate the needs of the North American InternationalAuto Show is one key area--public transportation the other--whereregional cooperation is needed between Detroit and the suburbs.

Martin says four scenarios were studied by the Convention &Visitors Bureau: doing nothing; doing repair and upgrade work atthe existing Cobo Center in Downtown Detroit; upgrading andexpanding Cobo; or building a new facility. "It can't be leftalone," Martin said, declining to offer any further personalopinion on what the best course of action is.

The Detroit Auto Dealers Association, which puts on the annualauto show at Cobo, have made it known for several years that theshow has outgrown the available space at Cobo. Kilpatrick saidChicago, Los Angeles and other cities would be interested inbecoming the new host city to the auto show.