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Epic Health wins council approval to rehab 26250 Northwestern as headquarters
Summary
The Southfield City Council on Sept. 15 established a commercial rehabilitation district under PA 210 and approved a five‑year commercial abatement for Epic Health’s planned renovation of a vacant building at 26250 Northwestern, a project the company says will house up to 250–300 employees and cost about $3.2 million.
The Southfield City Council on Monday approved creation of a commercial rehabilitation district and a commercial rehabilitation exemption certificate under Public Act 210 of 2005 for a planned rehabilitation of the former office building at 26250 Northwestern Service Drive.
The action clears the way for Epic Health, which told the council it bought the 30,000‑square‑foot property at auction and plans to invest just north of $3 million to renovate the vacant, vandalized building into its headquarters and management offices. Brooke Booth, representing Epic Health, said the renovated building will support “250 to 300 full‑time employees” in roles such as billing, legal, IT, finance, operations and human resources.
The project, approved in two required steps, establishes the Commercial Rehabilitation District under PA 210 and grants a five‑year commercial abatement that freezes the property’s taxable value for that period while the assessor reviews value annually. Booth described planned work as a full interior and exterior rehabilitation — roof and window replacement, mechanical upgrades, ADA improvements including an elevator, security systems and updated interiors — and said the company intends a long‑term presence in Southfield.
Council members asked about the project schedule and soft costs. Booth said the contractor estimated about a year of construction before occupancy. Councilman Brightwell asked what “soft costs” cover; Booth listed permits, furnishings and other non‑construction expenses. The administration said Oakland County officials supplied a support letter for the project.
Councilman Haines moved to approve the commercial rehabilitation exemption certificate for 26250 Northwestern Building LLC; Councilman Brightwell supported the motion. The council voted in favor by voice; the clerk recorded the motion as carried.
The project team told council it will sign an agreement requiring repayment of tax benefits if the company vacates earlier than the period covered by the abatement. Booth said Epic would keep its headquarters in Southfield and expects some staff to occupy the space within about a year.
The council’s two votes followed the city’s public‑hearing process for economic development requests under PA 210.
