An affiliate of Detroit City Football Club asked the Planning & Economic Development Committee on May 8 to approve a Brownfield redevelopment plan to cover asbestos abatement, environmental remediation, and demolition of the former hospital property in Corktown.

DBRA and project presenters described the immediate scope as remediation and demolition to prepare the site for future redevelopment. The developer estimated demolition and related eligible Brownfield activities at roughly $5,900,000 and a total projected plan value of about $9.7 million; the overall project capital investment was reported as approximately $6.5 million. Presenters said demolition and abatement work is expected to begin in late summer 2025 and would be complete within 12 months once environmental clearances are obtained.

The developer, represented by Detroit City Football Club executives and an owner’s representative, framed the action as an initial step to remove a long-time blighted structure (the former hospital) that has been vacant for nearly two decades. The developer said the parcel assemblage includes the hospital site and adjacent parcels bounded by Michigan Avenue, Twentieth Street, Standish Street and the Fisher Freeway.

DBRA staff explained eligible activities under the Brownfield plan (testing, asbestos and lead abatement, demolition, site preparation) and said the plan would reimburse the developer only from captured taxes generated by the improved property over the plan term; no city advances will be made. The DBRA materials estimated about 30 temporary jobs tied to the demolition; presenters did not identify new permanent jobs tied to demolition itself, but said future redevelopment would generate permanent jobs.

Public comment included both support and concern. Supporters said removing the blighted hospital structure will improve neighborhood safety and open the site for new investment. Other callers and speakers urged the developer and council to acknowledge and preserve the hospital’s history — including its role in local Black health-care history — and to consider the long-term risks of stadium projects, noting concerns about public costs, displacement and equitable returns on public support.

Developer representatives said they are engaging neighborhood groups and block clubs and that they are exploring how to incorporate historical elements into future design. The developer also emphasized a stated goal of a privately funded stadium that would pay property taxes and prioritized contracting and hiring of Detroit residents in construction and operations.

The committee voted to send the Brownfield plan to formal consideration with a recommendation to approve.

What’s next: The item advances to formal consideration. DBRA and developer will continue community engagement as they work through environmental approvals, demolition contracting, and any additional incentives that may be proposed for future redevelopment.