The “Transformational Brownfield” incentives approved by the Detroit City Council for the $1.5 billion District Detroit still require approval by the state.

The Detroit City Council approved a $616 million “Transformational Brownfield” development incentive for the $1.5-billion District Detroit project, proposed by the Ilitch organization's Olympia Development of Michigan and New York-based Related Cos.
According to an article by Dana Afna and JC Reindl, most of the development incentive included in the project’s community benefits agreement would generate revenue by capturing future state-level taxes, “including state income taxes paid by workers and residents in the planned buildings.”
“The balance would come from future property taxes that would otherwise go to the Downtown Development Authority, or DDA,” according to the article.
“Separately, the developers also will get from the DDA a $23.7 million forgivable loan and $25 million in cash reimbursement for infrastructure improvements.”
The Transformational Brownfield incentive will still require approval by the Michigan Strategic Fund.
The District Detroit development proposal, which has been on the books for a decade, “calls for 10 new and rehabilitated buildings for 1.2 million square feet of office space, 695 apartments, retail spaces and two new hotels: a 14-story, 290-room hotel adjacent to Little Caesars Arena and an adaptive reuse of the 10-story Fox Theatre office building, 2211 Woodward, as the 177-room Fox Hotel,” according to the article.
The article, linked below, provides more details on the politics of the community benefits agreement approved by the city this week.
FULL STORY: City Council OKs incentives for $1.5B District Detroit

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie