Committee approves subrecipient deal for Fisher Body Plant rehab; county commits $2.5 million

The Wayne County Committee on Economic Development approved a subrecipient agreement with Fisher 21 Lofts LLC for rehabilitation of the former Fisher Body Plant No. 21 in the City of Detroit.

County staff described the project as a large-scale redevelopment of a long‑standing vacant industrial site that will stabilize the fire‑damaged structure, create green space and stormwater management features, and add housing and commercial space. Staff said the project will include roughly 433 residential units and about 4,000 square feet of commercial space, parking and green space. The total project cost was stated as $155,482,731, with the county contributing $2,500,000 and a community contribution listed as $27,650,000. A staff presenter said other partners’ contributions totalled about $125,332,731.

Dolores Holmes, Economic Vitality Division Director, told the committee there will be 65 rent‑restricted units “based on income” in the building; the meeting transcript records the affordability term as “600 months,” a figure not clarified during the discussion. Holmes also said the remaining units would be market‑rate — “about 360,” according to the record. The staff presentation said the rehabilitation will remove damaged additions from a 2014 fire, stabilize the structure and support further neighborhood investment.

Committee members asked no substantive questions beyond clarifying unit counts and affordability. A motion to approve the subrecipient agreement carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition.