City Council approves Phase 2 solar projects after debate over land acquisition and household upgrades

Detroit City Council on Wednesday approved a group of resolutions and contracts to move forward with phase 2 of the city’s neighborhood solar initiative, which includes planned arrays at Greenfield Park and along Houston–Whittier.

City officials and developers described the approvals as necessary to secure property, complete required environmental and relocation work, and begin energy-efficiency upgrades in neighboring homes. Council member Angela Whitfield Callaway objected to the waiver requests and raised procedural and cost concerns; the chair noted the objection and the clerk recorded it before declaring the resolutions approved.

The package taken as a group included: a contract amendment to extend time for real-estate and relocation services; two project contracts associated with the phase‑2 sites; and a resolution of necessity that enables the city to clear title or use condemnation when voluntary acquisition fails. City attorneys and redevelopment staff said the moves are aimed at securing clear title for developers and ensuring voluntary offers and relocation assistance are handled first.

Why it matters: The phase‑2 sites are part of a broader city plan to add neighborhood‑scale solar and offer energy upgrades to adjacent homeowners. Supporters at public comment said the projects will remediate blight and bring local environmental benefits. Opponents and several residents urged more emphasis on rooftop solar, questioned the use of long-term land leases and condemned reliance on condemnation to assemble parcels.

What the council approved - Contract amendment (agenda 18.2): additional time for relocation and real-estate services related to phase‑2 site acquisition. (Contract amendment text: extension of time for real estate services and relocation assistance; contractor/contract number as posted by the clerk.) - Project contracts (agenda 20.47 and 20.48): procurement actions enabling developers to proceed at the Greenfield Park and Houston–Whittier sites (contract numbers recorded on the agenda). - Resolution of necessity (agenda 20.59): formal finding that the public purpose warrants acquisition actions where voluntary purchase is not completed.

Council action and objections: Council proceeded to consider the four items together after discussion. Council member Callaway stated an objection to the set of waivers and to moving the items en bloc; the clerk recorded the objection. After a short period for discussion, the chair noted “hearing no further objections” and directed that the four resolutions be approved.

What city staff told council: Tricia Stein, the mayor’s chief strategy officer, and Corporation Counsel described the acquisition and implementation plan. Staff said phase 1 work is underway and provided these details: - Parcels targeted across phases to date: 965 parcels; among them 245 were owner-occupied properties with a Principal Residence Exemption (PRE). (Corporation Counsel) - Good‑faith offers made to date: more than 100. (Corporation Counsel) - Phase 1 demolition and site prep: about 90 structures required demolition; staff expects demolition complete by end of March and developer site control in spring. (Tricia Stein) - Energy-efficiency upgrades: phase 1 includes 156 homes to receive home energy upgrades; 27 energy assessments have been completed and the upgrades (estimated $15,000–$25,000 per home) are planned to begin in February. (Tricia Stein) - Timeline: land clearance and fencing in spring/summer; panel installation in fall and commissioning by year end for Lightstar sites, with other operators to follow in early 2026. (Tricia Stein)

Public comment and local reaction: Speakers for and against spoke during general public comment. Supporters — including Zenaida Flores of Rescue My Nature Now and callers from environmental and neighborhood groups — told council the sites will reclaim blighted lots and that neighbors had participated in planning. Opponents and several residents urged the city to prioritize rooftop solar and questioned whether long-term ground leases would prevent future housing or community use. One caller labeled the approach “solar ugly.”

Legal and acquisition process: Corporation Counsel said the city has pursued voluntary purchases and relocation assistance first, but the resolution of necessity and condemnation process remain available for parcels where voluntary acquisition fails. Counsel emphasized that the city has offered market-based compensation and relocation options and that condemnation proceedings are limited to parcels where legal title issues prevent project development.

Next steps and implementation: Staff said they will continue acquisition and relocation work, finalize energy-efficiency scopes, and begin physically preparing cleared sites for panel installation in spring and summer. The law department and acquisition teams will continue to negotiate offers; where owners decline and title problems persist, condemnation procedures may be used.

Reactions from council: Supporters said the package balanced neighborhood benefits with developer timelines; the objecting council member pressed for more public information and questioned the scale of funds set aside for abatement and acquisitions. Staff pledged to return with additional briefings and to coordinate with council members on neighborhood-level outreach.

Votes at a glance - Agenda 18.2 (contract time extension for relocation/real-estate services): approved (objection recorded by Council member Angela Whitfield Callaway). - Agenda 20.47 (project contract — Greenfield Park): approved (objection recorded by Council member Angela Whitfield Callaway). - Agenda 20.48 (project contract — Houston–Whittier): approved (objection recorded by Council member Angela Whitfield Callaway). - Agenda 20.59 (resolution of necessity for phase 2): approved (objection recorded by Council member Angela Whitfield Callaway).

Ending: City staff said they will proceed with voluntary acquisitions and relocation services, continue demolition and site-prep work for phase 1 where relevant, and provide councils with updates on homeowner upgrades and any homeowner offers that proceed to court or condemnation.