Committee forwards land-swap to formal session to expand Joe Louis Greenway connection

The Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole voted to send a resolution authorizing a land-swap agreement to formal session. The swap would transfer 1981 Theodore to a private owner (St. Aubin Properties / related affiliates) and acquire three parcels (2137, 2143 and 2151 East Palmer) to help create a contiguous connection for the Joe Louis Greenway.

Planning and development staff said the city received an application from a property-owner affiliate seeking consolidation and that staff negotiated a land exchange the department considers more beneficial for the city’s greenway goals. Daniel Stevanski and other staff described the East Palmer parcels as residential parcels that had undergone environmental due diligence, including a Phase I, Phase II and baseline environmental assessment.

Attorney Brian Ammon, representing the private ownership group, said the parcel at 1981 Theodore is a small sliver (roughly 30-by-60 feet) inside a larger 7-acre ownership and has been used as paved parking; the owner seeks consolidation for continued operational uses related to the nearby Wayne County facilities and to tidy a land assembly. Planning staff said the city’s environmental review did not identify contaminants that would preclude recreational-pathway use; they noted that further due care and standard remediation steps would be addressed at development time if required.

After members asked for clarification on the origin of the application and on environmental reviews, a council member moved to send the proposed land swap (line item 8.5) to formal session with the recommendation to approve. Seeing no objections, the committee carried the motion. Planning staff said they would continue coordination on environmental follow-up and public-notice steps in advance of final action.