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Council backs ad hoc Water Street RFQ process but requires Community Benefits Ordinance be followed
Summary
Council approved forming an ad hoc citizens committee to develop an RFQ for Water Street redevelopment with an amendment that the committee follow the city’s Community Benefits Ordinance process after the RFQ stage to ensure robust community benefits and oversight.
After extended public comment and council discussion, the Ypsilanti City Council on Dec. 18 approved a resolution to establish an ad hoc citizens committee to draft a request for qualifications (RFQ) for Water Street redevelopment and to manage public engagement during selection of a developer.
City staff described a target timeline that included an RFQ release in August 2026, committee interviews and a fall 2026 recommendation to council, and potential on-site construction in 2027. Several residents and speakers urged greater transparency and public voting mechanisms; Peter Church asked for a public ranked-choice approach to selecting final choices.
Councilmember McLean and others expressed concern that the ad hoc committee process might supplant the city’s Community Benefits Ordinance (CBO), which they described as a more robust, multi-stakeholder process. A friendly amendment was offered and accepted clarifying that, after fall 2026 and selection steps, the ad hoc committee will proceed under and follow the CBO process for determining and negotiating community benefits with any selected developer.
The amended motion passed unanimously. Council directed staff to prepare committee selection, notice and meeting parameters consistent with prior CBO practice and to return with facilitation considerations in January.
