University of Detroit Jesuit Buys Fairgrounds Land
The private school acquired 16 acres of the former Michigan State Fairgrounds in two separate land deals completed this year.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Secondary Education
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University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy has purchased 16 acres of land at the former Michigan State Fairgrounds near 8 Mile Road in Detroit. The acquisition, completed across two transactions in July and September 2026, spans two noncontiguous parcels along Woodward Avenue.
Why it matters
The land acquisition reflects the school's ongoing commitment to the local community and the students it serves. Officials now plan to develop a comprehensive vision for this property alongside the school's existing campus and recreation center.
The school purchased an 11-acre parcel for $2.5 million and a 5-acre parcel for over $1.5 million. These plots were part of the original 164-acre former Michigan State Fairgrounds site.
The players
University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy
This is a private Catholic college preparatory school that currently serves students at its main campus on Cambridge Avenue.
Earvin Magic Johnson
He is a former professional basketball player and entrepreneur who was a founding partner of the Magic Plus group.
Joel Ferguson
He was a prominent real estate developer and business partner in the Magic Plus group who passed away in 2024.
Marvin Beatty
He is a business leader and partner who was part of the original Magic Plus group that purchased the fairgrounds land.
The details
The land was purchased from Magic Plus, a limited liability corporation originally formed by Earvin Magic Johnson, Marvin Beatty, and the late Joel Ferguson. The school currently operates from its main campus on Cambridge Avenue and the nearby Johnson Recreation Center on Chippewa Avenue.
Timeline
The Michigan State Fair occupied the site from 1905 to 2009.
The Magic Plus group first acquired the parcels in 2019.
Joel Ferguson died in 2024.
The 11-acre parcel sold for $2.5 million on July 1, 2026.
The 5-acre parcel sold for over $1.5 million in September 2026.
Culture Shift
This acquisition is part of the ongoing redevelopment of the 164-acre Michigan State Fairgrounds site. It signals a shift from the property's historical role as a public event space toward a new era of private institutional use in Detroit.
Residents near 8 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue may see changes to the neighborhood landscape as the school begins its development phase. The purchase secures a significant footprint in the area that will support the school's long-term educational mission.
The takeaway
The school's acquisition demonstrates a long-term investment in its physical infrastructure to support student growth. Future development on the former fairgrounds site will likely focus on integrating these new parcels with the existing Cambridge Avenue campus.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape for local students in our Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Detroit Free Press.
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