Motown Museum Marks Final Construction Phase as $75 Million Expansion Nears Completion

November 14, 2025

The Motown Museum in Detroit marked a significant construction milestone with a beam-signing ceremony celebrating its $75 million expansion into The Motown Experience, a nearly 50,000-square-foot entertainment and education campus. Motown legends, including Martha Reeves and the son of Levi Stubbs, signed the final structural beam alongside museum leadership, symbolically anchoring the project's next phase. The expansion will add immersive exhibits, a performance theater, recording studio, and retail spaces to address overwhelming visitor demand that frequently causes the current historic house museum to sell out.

Who is affected

Motown Museum visitors and fans who are frequently unable to gain admission due to capacity constraints
Motown alumni including Martha Reeves, the son of Levi Stubbs, and other legendary artists
Robin Terry (Chairwoman), Dr. Kenya LeNoir Messer (new CEO), and Sharri Watkins (COO)
The Board of Trustees
Residents of the surrounding historic Detroit neighborhoods
Donors and community leaders involved in the project
Future employees who will be hired when the expanded campus opens

What action is being taken

The final phase of construction is currently underway
Fundraising efforts are ongoing, having reached $72 million toward the $75 million goal
Dr. Kenya LeNoir Messer is assuming her role as CEO to oversee day-to-day operations
The museum continues operating and offering tours to visitors
Robin Terry, Dr. Messer, Sharri Watkins, and the Board of Trustees are guiding the institution through the construction phase

Why it matters

This expansion addresses critical capacity issues at one of Michigan's most visited attractions, where demand regularly exceeds availability. The project represents a significant effort to preserve and expand the narrative of Motown's cultural impact, highlighting both celebrated and unsung heroes of Black creativity and entrepreneurship. Beyond tourism, the expansion is designed to have transformative effects on the surrounding historic Detroit neighborhoods by providing employment opportunities, long-term economic sustainability, and community pride. The project also exemplifies how Black-founded, Black-led cultural institutions can leverage their legacy to benefit local communities while becoming global destinations, addressing broader concerns about gentrification and displacement in Detroit.

What's next

The museum will remain open to visitors through January 19, 2026
Tours will pause beginning January 20, 2026, to allow for necessary upgrades and construction work
The final phase of construction is scheduled to be completed in late 2026
A grand opening for The Motown Experience is planned for spring 2027
Leadership will continue managing the final fundraising push to reach the $75 million goal

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle