Hype Athletics seeks $10 million to build Brownstown community wellness and ABA center

Rep. Thompson presented Hype Athletics’ request for $10 million to acquire and renovate a Brownstown facility (the former Icebox sports arena) to establish a community wellness hub offering ABA therapy, mental‑health counseling, recreation, workforce training and after‑school programs. Dr. Ryan Lazar, a longtime Hype board member, said the center would serve youth, seniors, low‑income families, veterans and people with disabilities and estimated the center could serve a broad Downriver population and create 35 permanent jobs plus seasonal positions and construction employment.

Hype representatives described partnerships with Michigan Rehabilitation Services and local school districts, and said existing Hype locations already deliver tutoring, on‑the‑job training and adult special‑needs programming. "One in 31 is now diagnosed with autism," Dr. Lazar said while explaining the demand for ABA therapy and integrated services. Presenters said the $10 million request would cover purchase (presenter said ~$2.5M), architectural planning (~$560k) and construction; the remainder is construction and site work.

Committee members asked about program sustainability, veteran services and the basis for the usage projections; presenters pointed to attendance and employment figures from existing Hype locations and partnerships with statewide services that support ongoing operations.

Speakers: Rep. Thompson; Dr. Ryan Lazar (board member); Maha Seguar (CFO); Kyle Oakley (program administrator).

Provenance: - topicintro: Rep. Thompson opening and mission overview (01:05:30). - topfinish: Q&A on veterans, programming and budget breakout (01:12:39).