Developers and the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority presented a Brownfield redevelopment plan for 20201 Livernois (the former Fred’s Furniture site) during the committee’s May 8 meeting. The plan would demolish the existing commercial structure and construct a new three-story mixed-use building with about 50 residential units and ground-floor commercial space.

The development team and DBRA representatives told the committee the new building would be roughly 46,000–47,000 square feet, include 12,563 square feet of partially covered secure parking for about 63 vehicles, and contain a mix of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. The project team estimated total capital investment at about $14 million and requested tax-increment financing (TIF) reimbursement of roughly $2,547,786 to cover eligible brownfield costs including demolition, environmental work, and site preparation.

DBRA staff explained the project is proposed as a 30‑year TIF plan. The developer also intends to pursue additional incentives already before this body — a Commercial Rehabilitation Act (PA 210) and a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (PA 147) certificate — to layer with Brownfield incentives. The DBRA presentation listed eligible activities and said the plan includes project rent loss to support attainable housing. The DBRA reported 46 temporary construction jobs are expected; the developer said permanent jobs will be created by future commercial tenants.

Project proponents described an affordability component: for the duration of the 30‑year plan, six studio units would be offered at 80% of area median income (AMI), three one-bedroom units at 60% AMI and two two-bedroom units at 70% AMI. The DBRA presentation noted the plan qualifies as housing property under Public Act 381 because the redevelopment includes residential units in a mixed-use project.

Council Member Leticia Johnson asked about recycling and building systems; presenters said the project will provide two-chute waste/recycling rooms on each residential floor (trash compacted) and that the developer is participating in DTE’s commercial new-construction (CNC) program to identify energy-efficiency opportunities and potential rebates. The developer confirmed in-unit stacked washers/dryers will be provided, and that accessible units will have side-by-side washer/dryer configurations.

After public comment (support and neighborhood questions), the committee moved the item to form with a recommendation to approve.

What’s next: The committee voted to send the 20201 Livernois Brownfield plan to formal consideration with a recommendation to approve; subsequent hearings and final city-council action will follow the standard legislative schedule.