Dan Gilbert is investing over $2 billion in four projects in downtown Detroit. The state is matching that ambition with $618 million of its own.
John Gallagher reports that the Michigan Strategic Fund has approved $618 million in tax incentives for development projects to back up $2.15 billion of investments committed by Dan Gilbert.
The "transformational brownfield incentives" are the largest ever awarded by the Michigan Strategic Fund. They'll help construct four major projects in downtown Detroit.
"The four projects include the site of the former Hudson's store, where Gilbert's Bedrock real estate arm broke ground last December on what promises to become Detroit's tallest building; the nearby Monroe Block, where Gilbert hopes to break ground soon on a series of mixed-use buildings; an addition to One Campus Martius, the former Compuware building; and the renovation of the Book Building and Book Tower on Washington Boulevard," reports Gallagher.
"The projects are expected to create 7,261 permanent jobs and add up to 3.1 million square feet of new office, retail, residential, hotel and civic space to the downtown core," according to Gallagher. The article includes more details about the political support for the move, and the broader hopes for the benefits of the four projects.
FULL STORY: Dan Gilbert gets state OK for $618M in tax breaks for Detroit projects

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

Albuquerque’s Microtransit: A Planner’s Answer to Food Access Gaps
New microtransit vans in Albuquerque aim to close food access gaps by linking low-income areas to grocery stores, cutting travel times by 30 percent and offering planners a scalable model for equity-focused transit.

This City Will Pay You to Meet Your Neighbors
A North Kansas City grant program offers up to $400 for residents to throw neighborhood block parties.

Commentary: Our Silence Will Not Protect Us
Keeping our heads down and our language inoffensive is not the right response to the times we’re in. Solidarity and courage is.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)