U-Matic

Cobo Hall 25th Birthday, 08/19/1985
Jazz

U-Matic S tape containing footage shot at Cobo Hall's 25th anniversary celebration, including the removal of the Spirit of Transportation sculpture, the balloon release, Robert B. Evan's introduction of Mayor Coleman A. Young, and Mayor Young's speech about the expansion plans. Footage of dignitaries, attendees, and the general set-up of the event is peppered throughout.

The tape begins with the City of Detroit's Department of Public Information Video Production logo. Next is a shot of the stage set up outside of Cobo Arena. A "Happy 25th Birthday Cobo Hall" banner is hung behind the podium, and two pieces of concept art showing plans for the renovation flank the podium. Close-ups follow of the two pieces of art--the first depicting the interior of the lobby, and the second showing the building's new facade--as well as the Civic Center logo on the podium.

A brief shot follows showing a band, consisting of several vocalists backed by a small group of instrumentalists, performing on another adjacent stage. The camera then moves around showing the attendees gathering among tables. City Council member David Eberhard, and Mayor Coleman Young appear in subsequent shots of members of the crowd.

The footage then transitions to workers on an elevated work platform affixing a harness to the Carl Milles sculpture Spirit of Transportation. A helicopter then airlifts the sculpture away in preparation for Cobo's expansion. With the helicopter audible, the camera films as the lid of a road case, and a stage lighting fixture are blown over, and a man supports a portable public address system speaker amid the gusts.

Among a series of shots of crowd, close-ups follow of Bob Berg, Mayor Coleman A. Young, City Council member Nicholas Hood, Tina Bennett, and City Council member Clyde Cleveland.

A brief shot of the event's balloon release occurs next.

Following another cut, Robert B. Evans is shown on stage, in the middle of his speech. The recording cuts several times during his speech. In the included portion, he talks about involvement with Cobo Hall and its impact on the region's economy.

Next Mayor Coleman A. Young takes the stage. In the included portions, he first talks about the importance of Republicans and Democrats working together for projects like Cobo Hall. Following a brief cut in the recording, he then turns to the subject of the plans for Cobo Hall's expansion. He talks about the need for Cobo to keep up with facilities in other cities, and also notes that the 20,000 balloons released represent the 20,000 jobs to be created through the project. He then speaks disparagingly about the need to complete an environmental impact study for the expansion first. Finally, he expresses a need for a future third phase of Cobo's expansion, increasing the site's area to a million square feet by 1990. June Roselle is then briefly shown concluding the presentation.

The camera then rotates around to show both attendees gathered on the other side of the stage, and officials leaving the stage. Mayor Coleman A. Young is shown briefly talking to a member of the crowd, and then he is briefly shown waiting with Bob Berg and Tina Bassett, preparing to be filmed for a promotional spot for the McDonald's All-American High School Basketball game.

The remainder of the tape contains the music used in the 1985 DPI production "Public Housing: Your Rights and Responsibilities" over a black screen.

The recording is contained on a 3M MBU-18 U-Matic S tape, with a 3M label. The tape is contained in a latching plastic case with a 3M spine label on its cover.