Developers seek neighborhood enterprise zone, commercial abatement for 20201 Livernois mixed‑use project; council schedules return hearing

Developers seeking tax incentives for a mixed‑use project at 20201 Livernois described the proposal and answered public and council questions during a Planning, Economic Development & Mobility Committee hearing, and the committee agreed to bring the item back for formal consideration on March 13.

The project team, led by Kevin Schroeder of Brown Schroeder & Company and Kevin Brandon of BMK Design & Planning, requested two district designations: a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone under Public Act 147 of 1992 and a Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption District (commonly called a PA 210) that could support an abatement certificate later. Nicole Scott of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) and Yvette Jemison of the Housing & Revitalization Department (HRD) also presented details.

“The proposed mixed‑use development is located at 20201 Livernois,” Scott told the committee, saying the total development cost is $14,200,000 and construction completion is expected in spring 2027. The plan calls for 50 for‑rent residential units — 12 studios, 34 one‑bedrooms and 4 two‑bedrooms — plus about 7,120 square feet of ground‑floor retail space, and residential space of about 39,621 square feet. The presentation estimated 46 temporary construction jobs and 26 permanent full‑time jobs tied to the project.

Why it matters: the two district requests are the first step in a process that, if approved by council and the Michigan State Tax Commission, would make future exemption certificates available for property owners who commit to specified investments. The DEGC presentation said an assessor’s office letter dated…