Committee advances Market Hall proposal at 1 Cadillac Square; tax-abatement request moves to formal session

The Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole advanced a PA 210 commercial rehabilitation exemption certificate for a proposed Market Hall at 1 Cadillac Square and voted to send the item to formal session with a recommendation to approve.

Casey Jackson, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, told the committee the assessor projects post-development property taxes for the Market Hall parcel would rise from roughly $69,000 on vacant land to about $315,000 annually after an estimated $50 million investment; with the requested 10-year PA 210 abatement the developer estimates the annual tax payment would be reduced to about $140,000 and the abatement would be roughly $177,000 per year.

ROC and developer representatives described the project as a 34,000-square-foot large-format food-and-retail market with local restaurant concepts, retail stalls and a live-music component. Presenters said the market hall is intended to host roughly 60 full-time food-and-beverage jobs and about 250 temporary construction jobs. Jared Fleischer and other presenters said the hall is designed as a complement to the neighboring Cosm project; most construction is planned to be contemporaneous to reduce disruption.

Developers and city staff told the committee the market hall and the adjacent Cosm theater will be fully ADA accessible, include barrier-free restrooms and provide nearby validated parking options. Presenters said the market hall’s food concepts are intended to emphasize Detroit-based small businesses and to contribute to downtown walkability and visitor spending.

Following committee questions and a one-minute public comment period restricted to this item, a motion was made to send line item 6 to formal session with the recommendation to approve; the committee carried the motion by consensus. Presenters and staff said they will provide any additional technical information requested before final council action.