Pistons Announce Location Of New Practice Facility

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) -- The Detroit Pistons are locating their new practice facility in the city's New Center,

"In every sense, Detroit will be our home," Arn Tellem, vice chairman of Palace Sports and Entertainment, said at the announcement on Friday.

The facility will be located in the center of the New Center area, along with a new Pistons corporate headquarters.

Tellem said construction on the new facility will begin this summer and will be scheduled to open prior to the 2018-2019 NBA season.

The announcement came months after the team announced it will begin playing in Detroit beginning next season, sharing the new home of the Detroit Red Wings — Little Caesars Arena — which is under construction at Woodward Ave. and I-75,  just north of downtown.

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Back when plans to move to Detroit were just being discussed, a different location for the facility -- just north of the new arena -- was mentioned. It's not clear at this time what led to the change in plans.

Henry Ford Health System executives and Mayor Mike Duggan were on hand to announce the new partnership and building plans at Gilmour Center at One Ford Place in the New Center, near the site of the planned facilities.

Meantime, the Pistons' move to Detroit is still awaiting final approval by City Council.