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LANSING, Mich. -- A state board on Wednesday unanimously gave the go-ahead for a new Red Wings hockey arena in downtown Detroit to be paid for in part with $284 million in tax dollars even as the broke city works through bankruptcy proceedings. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and others defended against criticism that the $650 million project should be financed entirely with private money because the city currently cant provide basic services and retirees are facing cuts in their pensions. The 18,000-seat arena is designed to be a catalyst for more development and to link downtown and midtown, turning a blighted area into a business, residential and entertainment district. "This is part of investing in Detroits future," said Snyder, a Republican who blessed a state-appointed emergency managers request to take the city into bankruptcy last week. "Thats the message we need to get across. ... As we stabilize the city governments finances, as we address those issues and improve services, Detroit moves from a place where people might have had a negative impression -- although there are great things already going on -- to being a place that will be recognized across the world as a place of great value and a place to invest." The Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved the Detroit Downtown Development Authoritys request to use economic development taxes for the project. The board also took a preliminary step toward issuing $450 million in bonds to build the arena, to be paid off in no more than 30 years by the Red Wings owner and the city. Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch has long wanted a replacement for the 32-year-old Joe Louis Arena located a few miles away. The new complex would be close to the Lions Ford Field and Tigers Comerica Park near Interstate 75 and Woodward Avenue. Under the plan, the authority would own the arena and event centre complex. The Red Wings owner would have exclusive rights to use, manage and operate it, and hold naming rights. No new taxes or funds from the cash-strapped city would be needed. The state Legislature last year approved a bill to help finance the project by allowing the use of tax dollars collected by the downtown development authority. Senate Democratic leader Gretchen Whitmer, an East Lansing Democrat, opposed the measure as a drain on funding for Detroits public schools. "Now that the citys actually in bankruptcy those concerns are even more justified at this point," spokesman Bob McCann said Wednesday. "Were all supportive of new development in Detroit. But its difficult to tell the residents of the city that this is more important than public safety or street lights." Snyder argued the project will increase the citys tax base in the long run and create jobs. Fifty-six per cent of the overall project cost would be private and 44 per cent public, though about 60 per cent of the actual $450 million arena cost would come from tax revenues. Another $200 million --all but $23 million of it private -- is planned for projects nearby that could include rehabbing existing buildings and vacant lots for a hotel, stores, parking deck and residential units. Olympia Development, owned by Ilitch and his wife, said the funding split for comparable major sports complexes in other cities in the past decade has averaged 75 per cent public and 25 per cent private. Construction of the arena is anticipated to be done by 2017. Its also expected to host other entertainment events. No design has been made public. Representatives for Olympia Development said the project will create 400 more permanent jobs and 5,500 construction jobs. At least half the construction jobs must go to city residents. Other approvals are needed by local agencies. "There is some additional due diligence that has to happen as a result of the Detroit bankruptcy," said Michael Finney, president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. "But we have not identified anything that would signal pulling back from the project. We are motivated to continue moving forward and we trust that the project will be successful." Doug Flutie Jersey . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Taron Johnson Jersey . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. http://www.wholesalebillsjerseys.com/?tag=youth-russell-bodine-jersey . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Matt Barkley Jersey . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. Ryan Lewis Jersey .com) - Richie Incognito has reportedly been admitted to a psychiatric care unit in Arizona. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse University has chosen a longtime ESPN producer and executive to be its new athletic director.The school announced Wednesday that it hired John Wildhack. He is a Buffalo native and 1980 graduate of the universitys S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.Wildhack joined the cable sports network soon after graduating. He has been executive vice president for programming and production since 2014.The university says Wildhack was respoonsible for several firsts at ESPN, including produ