Malachi’s City Council Notebook: I-375 makes Eastern Market 'nervous'

Ace reporter Malachi Constant Barrett and his notebook at BridgeDetroit once again cover the pressing issues of our fair city, this time from the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce annual policy conference on olde-world Mackinac Island. Among the topics discussed…

Eastern Market leaders ‘nervous’ about I-375

Eastern Market CEO Dan Carmody and soon-to-be successor Katy Trudeau said they’re eagerly awaiting a state plan to address disruption during the multi-year project. Construction is expected to start next fall and end in 2028. […] We’re very nervous about it, as there’s not an established mitigation plan yet,” Trudeau said. “It’s a huge unanswered question.

Downpayment assistance Phase II

Detroit renters can receive up to $25,000 to buy their first home through a down payment assistance program set to relaunch this summer. […] Residents can sign up to receive an alert when applications open. Applications already received will continue to be processed until all funds are exhausted.

Land value tax uncertain

Pay attention to this one, kids! It appears the state's interest in last year's much-vaunted Land Value Tax proposal is dwindling, go figure…

One year after Duggan used his Mackinac Policy Conference address to promote a plan to overhaul the city’s property tax system, it’s unclear whether Michigan lawmakers will advance bills needed to make it happen. […] Bills introduced in the Michigan House were tabled last year after failing to gain enough support from lawmakers.

[House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit] said he’s “trying to identify solutions to lower the property tax burden” for residents that could include other proposals. […] “I feel this is a place we can still have discussions around and can be one of many solutions,” Tate said. “There still needs to be more education, more conversations with my colleagues in the chamber.”

This is the same language parents use when kids ask if we can go to the zoo. 🙄

RenCen future in ‘brainstorming mode’

I get the connection between billionaire Dan Gilbert and his Hudson Building and its new tenants, General Motors, but why is Gilbert's opinion on the future of the "The City Within The City" anything more than an interesting side-note? In any case, take a picture 'cause it's coming down.

Gilbert said GM’s decision to move into the Hudson’s building and reinvent the Renaissance Center is a “big bet,” comparable to Ford’s redevelopment of the Michigan Central station. […] Detroit also needs large investments in affordable housing, nightlife and activities for young people and public transportation.

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