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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." Old Skool Clearance . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net. Cheap Old Skool China . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. http://www.cheapoldskoolchina.com/ . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. Cheap Old Skool Free Shipping . -- Five former Kansas City Chiefs players who were on the team between 1987 and 1993 filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming the team hid and even lied about the risks of head injuries during that time period when there was no collective bargaining agreement in place in the NFL. Cheap Old Skool Wholesale . Radwanska, making her debut in the Seoul tournament, hit eight aces in a match that lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes at Olympic Park tennis stadium. "It was definitely a very good match -- I was playing really good tennis," Radwanska said.Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori wrapped up routine victories at the Barcelona Open on Wednesday. The top seed and the defending champion, respectively, moved into the third-round of the clay court competition with straight sets wins in their opening matches.Nadal defeated Barcelonas own Marcel Granollers 6-3 6-2 to extend his winning record in their head-to-head to 3-0, and will play Albert Montanes in the next round. Kei Nishikori is Nadals biggest challenger in Barcelona Japans Nishikori, who won last years title, eliminatted the world No 102 Thiemo de Bakker 6-4 6-2.dddddddddddd He will play Jeremy Chardy next, who defeated Victor Estrella Burgos in the second-round.Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev caused an upset by dumping 15th seed Thomaz Bellucci out of the competition.Teenage prospect, Zverev, won 6-3 6-7 7-5 to seal his own third-round berth against Malek Jaziri.Fabio Fognini and Philipp Kohlschreiber also safely progressed into Thursdays set of fixtures.Watch the Barcelona Open on Thursday from 12.30pm on Sky Sports 1 HD. Also See: ATP schedule Tennis on Sky Latest scores Get a NOW TV pass Video ' ' '