Brighton Council Discusses State Land Bank Agreement to Preserve Brownfield Options for Potential Parking Deck

Brighton city staff told the City Council on Oct. 14 they are close to finalizing agreements with the Michigan Land Bank that would let the city place select city-owned parcels into the land bank as a preparatory step for a potential downtown parking deck project and to maximize eligibility for Brownfield incentives.

Why it matters: Manager Gamolka said placing parcels in the state land bank would make them fully eligible for all Brownfield incentives under state statute, a step that can materially increase the tax-capture available to offset redevelopment costs. Staff said there is no tax loss while parcels are held by the land bank because they are city-owned, and parcels would revert to the city if no development closes.

Key details and deadlines: Manager Gamolka and City Attorney Gavis told council the property deposit must close by Dec. 12, 2025, to make the parcels eligible for capture in the 2026 tax year; earlier agreement-signing steps may be required in late November. Manager Gamolka said council should expect draft agreements for review at the next council meeting in two weeks.

What officials said: Manager Gamolka summarized the history: council approved a development partnership with DA Builders in December 2023 that identified parcels for potential development, and an earlier resolution accepted a preliminary proposal in January 2024. “We’re really close” to finalized administrative and land-bank agreements, Gamolka said, and staff will present drafts to council at the next meeting.

Attorney explanation of Brownfield benefits: City Attorney Gavis told council that once a property is deposited into the state land bank it becomes “fully eligible for every single brownfield incentive that is available under statute,” expanding what activities and costs can be reimbursed compared with a standard brownfield application. Gavis said some city parcels (for example, North Street) already have Phase I environmental reviews and a degree of eligibility, but land-bank status increases capture and shortens payback timelines for a brownfield plan.

Council reaction: Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about timing and risk; councilmembers were reassured that if no development agreement is reached, the parcels will revert to city ownership and that the city will retain control over a final decision. No vote was taken on Oct. 14; staff expects to present draft agreements for council consideration at the next meeting.

Next steps: Staff said they will return with draft administrative service and land-bank agreements for council review and possible approval; if council approves, the closing will need to occur before Dec. 12 to achieve the stated tax-year capture. Councilmember Bob Gardner indicated the item would be back on the agenda in two weeks for review.