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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Public Hearings and Public Comment – October 9, 2025

City Council — Thursday, October 9, 2025

BodyDetroit, Michigan

SessionCity Council

DateThursday, October 9, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:18:58

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:07

Will you please call the roll?

0:09

Good morning.

0:10

Council President Pro Tim James Tate.

0:12

Here.

0:13

Councilmember Fred Durhall.

0:14

Member Durhall did indicate that he is uh under the weather today, but uh so he is uh his absent his absence is excused, excuse me.

0:22

Work will note, Councilmember Letitia Johnson President.

0:27

Uh Council Pro Tim, we have quorum.

0:29

Thank you, man.

0:29

We have a quorum which means we're now in session.

0:31

Good morning, Member Johnson.

0:33

Is there a motion to approve the minutes?

0:35

Seeing no objections, that action shall be taken.

0:38

Wanna let everyone know that we have a very full agenda today.

0:40

We have four public hearings.

0:42

In addition to that, we have the MOU discussion and uh approvals that we're gonna send out today for the amendments.

0:50

So uh we'll let you know in advance that we're gonna abbreviate uh many of our public comment opportunities to make sure that we well, at least the the general public comment to allow for more time for the public hearings.

1:01

And with that being said, we'll now like to open up for public comment.

1:05

If there's anyone from the public who would like to speak, please raise your hand now.

1:09

If there's anyone from the public who would like to speak, please raise your hand now, going once, going twice, going three times.

1:18

Collection of public comments have now concluded.

1:20

Now, if you are calling in about one of the public hearings, you can lower your hand.

1:24

You'll have an opportunity to do that.

1:26

Uh so please take the time to lower your hand if you're calling in about a public hearing because there will be an opportunity for public comment during the public hearing.

1:34

Want to give you an opportunity to lower your hand if you are in that category.

1:38

All right, going once, twice, three times.

1:44

Now the collection of public comments have now concluded.

1:47

All right, Tim, how many callers do we have?

1:49

It doesn't appear to be anyone in the committee of the whole.

1:51

How many do we have online?

1:54

Mr.

1:54

Chair, we have 11 hands online.

1:56

All right, we have 11 hands online.

1:58

I do apologize, everyone, but again, because of this aggressive agenda today, we're gonna give everyone 45 seconds.

2:05

45 seconds for general public comment, but we'll have more time for the public hearings.

2:10

General public comment, 45 seconds.

2:12

Let's that clock up, y'all.

2:28

All right.

2:30

Who's our first caller?

2:31

Our first caller is not that Karen.

2:33

Not that, Karen.

2:34

The floor is yours.

2:35

General public comment.

2:37

Thank you for joining us.

2:40

Uh yes, ma'am.

2:42

Yes.

2:44

Um, thank you for your punctuality this morning.

2:46

Uh, and thank you for your 45 seconds and and public comment time.

2:50

Um Detroit retirees, we don't need a fast track resolution.

2:55

What we need is uh to be made whole.

2:57

We need our money back.

2:58

We don't want to get on the list to get in line to wait until we die to get nothing.

3:02

We invite you guys to take action now.

3:04

Um, it's getting cold outside.

3:08

Let's repurpose some of these public buildings as opposed to demolition.

3:12

And if we secure them adequately, they won't be in such disrepair when we get around to you know, to rehab it.

3:19

So I think that should be our focus, not the demolition, not the allowance of stripping of everything, so it has to be demolished.

3:26

Thank you.

3:28

Thank you.

3:29

Next caller, please.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Comment██████████████████████████████████████38%

Affordable Housing██████████████████████████26%

Public Act 225 District██████6%

Procedural█████5%

Economic Development████4%

Public Housing████4%

Community Development Block Grants███3%

Taxation███3%

Housing███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Meeting – October 9, 2025

The Detroit City Council convened at approximately 9:45 AM with a quorum (Council President Pro Tem James Tate presiding, Councilmember Fred Durhall excused). The agenda included four public hearings and an MOU discussion. Due to a heavy agenda, general public comment was limited to 45 seconds per speaker.

Public Comments & Testimony

General Public Comment: Several callers criticized the shortened comment time and urged the council to prioritize making retired city workers whole, oppose demolition of public buildings, and reject a proposed MOU. Specific speakers: Carolyn Hughes (45 seconds is a disgrace), Miko Williams (opposed MOU, alleged improper process), others called for better use of surplus funds and opposed the fast-track zoning changes.
On the 10:15 Hearing (Kelly Road Laundromat/Cafe): Most callers supported the project, citing community need and the developer's local roots. Questions were raised about water/sewage impact, debris management, number of nearby laundromats, and reuse of materials. One caller asked if attorney Marcia Spivey was related to former Councilmember Andre Spivey (she denied any relation).
On the 10:30 Hearing (Winder Food Incubator): Callers expressed support for the job creation and small business incubation. Concerns included affordability of rents, black business representation, prior project performance, and the cost of attorneys. One caller appreciated attorney Richard Barr's past helpfulness.
On the 10:55 Hearing (Broderick Tower): Mixed testimony. Several current tenants opposed the tax abatement, citing frequent elevator and hot water failures, rent increases, and a lack of genuine affordability. Others, including a corporate housing operator and a developer, supported the project for its potential to improve downtown housing and commercial activation. Questions focused on current occupancy, parking costs, and treatment of existing low-income tenants.

Discussion Items

10:15 Public Hearing – Commercial Redevelopment District for 12400 Kelly Road (Hub Laundromat & Cafe): The project is a $1.5 million renovation of a former bank into a 4,500 sq ft laundromat, cafe, and community space. The developer, attorney Marcia Spivey, a Detroit native and community advocate, presented the project. The proposed 13-year tax abatement would lower annual taxes from an estimated $11,000 to $3,000 in the first year. DEGC recommended the district. The project has support letters from Invest Detroit, Whittier Business Association, and others. Councilmember Letitia Johnson expressed strong support.
10:30 Public Hearing – Plant Rehabilitation District for 1530 Winder (Food Production Incubator): A $4.7 million conversion of a vacant warehouse into 18,800 sq ft of food production space, including four to six production bays, a commissary kitchen, cold storage, and co-working space. Developer Jonathan Updike (partner in Marrow Hospitality) presented. The 13-year abatement would reduce taxes from roughly $40,000 to $6,800 initially. DEGC recommended approval. Councilmember Johnson asked about retail space affordability and community benefits; the developer committed to below-market rents (estimating $10-15/sq ft vs. $20 market).
10:55 Public Hearing – Commercial Rehabilitation District for Broderick Tower (10 Witherell/1556 Woodward): A $45.6 million acquisition and renovation of the iconic 34-story building. Plans include 125 residential units (25 at 60% AMI) and 8,900 sq ft of commercial space. The 11-year abatement would reduce post-rehab taxes from an estimated $680,000 to $493,000 initially. Developer Ari Durak (TIR Equities) spoke. Current issues (elevator breakdowns, hot water problems) were raised; developer promised to increase hot water storage and assess elevators. Parking costs for affordable tenants would be subsidized ($200/month vs. $275). Councilmember Johnson requested current rent data and moved to bring the item back in one week for further discussion.

Key Outcomes

Motion 1 (10:15 Hearing – Kelly Road): Passed unanimously to send to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
Motion 2 (10:30 Hearing – Winder): Passed unanimously to send to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
Motion 3 (10:55 Hearing – Broderick Tower): A motion by Councilmember Johnson to bring the item back as a line item in one week passed without objection.
Other: The council approved minutes without objection. General public comment closed after 11 callers. All public hearings were recessed and reconvened as per procedure.

Meeting Transcript

Will you please call the roll? Good morning. Council President Pro Tim James Tate. Here. Councilmember Fred Durhall. Member Durhall did indicate that he is uh under the weather today, but uh so he is uh his absent his absence is excused, excuse me. Work will note, Councilmember Letitia Johnson President. Uh Council Pro Tim, we have quorum. Thank you, man. We have a quorum which means we're now in session. Good morning, Member Johnson. Is there a motion to approve the minutes? Seeing no objections, that action shall be taken. Wanna let everyone know that we have a very full agenda today. We have four public hearings. In addition to that, we have the MOU discussion and uh approvals that we're gonna send out today for the amendments. So uh we'll let you know in advance that we're gonna abbreviate uh many of our public comment opportunities to make sure that we well, at least the the general public comment to allow for more time for the public hearings. And with that being said, we'll now like to open up for public comment. If there's anyone from the public who would like to speak, please raise your hand now. If there's anyone from the public who would like to speak, please raise your hand now, going once, going twice, going three times. Collection of public comments have now concluded. Now, if you are calling in about one of the public hearings, you can lower your hand. You'll have an opportunity to do that. Uh so please take the time to lower your hand if you're calling in about a public hearing because there will be an opportunity for public comment during the public hearing. Want to give you an opportunity to lower your hand if you are in that category. All right, going once, twice, three times. Now the collection of public comments have now concluded. All right, Tim, how many callers do we have? It doesn't appear to be anyone in the committee of the whole. How many do we have online? Mr. Chair, we have 11 hands online. All right, we have 11 hands online. I do apologize, everyone, but again, because of this aggressive agenda today, we're gonna give everyone 45 seconds. 45 seconds for general public comment, but we'll have more time for the public hearings. General public comment, 45 seconds. Let's that clock up, y'all. All right. Who's our first caller? Our first caller is not that Karen. Not that, Karen. The floor is yours. General public comment. Thank you for joining us. Uh yes, ma'am. Yes. Um, thank you for your punctuality this morning. Uh, and thank you for your 45 seconds and and public comment time. Um Detroit retirees, we don't need a fast track resolution. What we need is uh to be made whole.

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