DETROIT — The unmistakable whiff of a sewer line hits you near the corner of Steve Yzerman Drive and Jefferson Avenue before you set foot on the steps that climb into Joe Louis Arena, a nearly windowless, drab grey building on the banks of the Detroit River.

Despite the stench and lack of sunlight, the Motor City has enjoyed many fond memories in the home of the Detroit Red Wings, where the franchise has raised four Stanley Cup banners to its collection of 11 in rafters also crowded by tributes to some of hockey’s greats such as Gordie Howe and Yzerman.

Red-and-white clad fans have been filling seats in the 20,058-seat arena, saying so long in the same season the Red Wings ended their playoff streak at 25. The arena is not scheduled to host another hockey game after Detroit plays Montreal on Saturday night and New Jersey on Sunday night. The Red Wings will begin a new era with the Pistons at nearby Little Caesars Arena next season. The city of Detroit, with financial help from the state, plans to demolish Joe Louis Arena and to hand over the land to a creditor for development as part of a major settlement in the its bankruptcy case. A date for the demolition has not been scheduled as of Friday, according to the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation.

Detroit had one of the best runs in NHL history from the early 1990s until last season, when they tied the third-longest playoff streak in league history. Years ago, though, its hockey team was known as the “Dead Wings,” and cars were given away to get fans to attend games shortly after moving from Olympia Stadium.