Laws signed aimed at keeping auto show in Detroit

By AP

LANSING, MI – LANSING, MI (AP) - Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed legislation aimed at keeping the North American International Auto Show in Michigan beyond 2010, preferably at its current home in Detroit's Cobo Center.

The new laws signed Thursday call for a nearly $300 million expansion of Cobo and the creation of a regional authority to run and renovate the aging building.

As a backup, a facility in Oakland County - likely Rock Financial Showplace in Novi -has an opportunity to host the show if Detroit rejects the legislation by Aug. 1.

The Detroit City Council rejected a previous Cobo expansion plan in February. But a repeat is considered unlikely now that Councilwoman Monica Conyers is resigning after admitting to taking bribes in exchange for her vote on a sludge hauling deal.