Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting – February 19, 2026

The Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole convened on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m. with Chair Letitia Johnson presiding, Vice Chair Gabriel Santiago Romero, and Pro Tem Tim Young (who arrived shortly after the start). The meeting included roll call with quorum, approval of previous minutes, general public comment, unfinished business, a public hearing on a proposed tax abatement, new business items, and member reports.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the meeting (motion without objection).
• Received and filed Line Item 6.2 (memorandum on property management agreements).
• Received and filed Line Item 6.3 (memorandum on tax abatements in District Six, noting response in 7.3).
• Received and filed Line Item 7.1 (Historic Designation Advisory Board resolution for Black History Month social media posts).
• Received and filed Line Item 7.3 (report on District Six tax abatements 2022–2025).

Public Comments & Testimony

General public comment was held from approximately 10:00 to 10:05 a.m. Eleven virtual and one in-person speaker participated.

• Mr. Foster (in person): Provided historical context on the Fair Housing Act (1968) and argued that systemic discrimination persists in Detroit's housing funding; urged the city to ensure equitable distribution of housing funds.
• William M. Davis: Expressed support for lowering the community benefits threshold, shifting development emphasis from downtown to neighborhoods, and requiring Little Caesars Arena to make direct payments to the city. He noted vacant apartment buildings as potential housing for seniors.
• Owner Papa: Supported Mr. Davis's remarks; called for tax abatement memoranda to be broken out for all districts, criticized what he saw as an over-focus on District 6, and asserted that council should prioritize existing residents over attracting new ones.
• Betty A. Varner (President, Soda Els World Black Association): Requested clarification on the Lifeline H2O water assistance program, stating she was approved for $34/month but received a past-due bill; asked the water department to explain how the program works.
• A caller (who stated 'please stop land bank nuisance abatement program'): Opposed the Detroit Land Bank Authority's nuisance abatement program, warning of a federal lawsuit; urged a halt to property seizures, especially during Black History Month; also criticized the solar takings program and asked for fairer compensation.
• Caller named iPhone: Expressed concerns about inadequate equipment at recreation centers, specifically the swimming pool and exercise equipment at Patton and Coleman rec centers; urged better involvement of staff and attention to quality.
• Steven Rimmer: Thanked council for discussing Lena House; reported on a court hearing (Feb 3) where the property owner's attorney stated that $75,000 is needed to repair the electrical system; argued that since the owner has $77,000 and the building is not in critical disrepair, residents should be allowed to return once power is restored. He noted that only one transformer was working before the outage.
• Caller ending in 992 (and 482): Accused Councilmember Santiago Romero of lying about voter fraud allegations and claimed the city government is corrupt. (Allegations not substantiated.)
• Caller user one: Requested the introduction of vocational training programs in Detroit (from electrical to eyelash technician) and asked for responses from council members' offices; also raised concerns about building safety and retaliation.
• Caller Cunningham: Made a brief religious comment.

(Note: The collection of general public comment was cut off at 10:05 a.m.)

Unfinished Business

• Line Item 6.1 – Hands Farms LLC purchase agreement memorandum: The Detroit Land Bank Authority requested a one-week bring back; motion approved without objection.

Public Hearing: Plant Rehabilitation Tax Certificate (PA198) for 1530 Winder (Line Item 5)

A public hearing under Act 198 of 1974 was held to consider an industrial facilities exemption certificate for BD Venture Studio LLC.

• Presentation: DEGC's Alton Williams presented the proposal. The project entails the rehabilitation of a vacant 14,826 sq ft spice warehouse built in 1960, adding a mezzanine to create 18,800 sq ft of space. The facility will serve as an incubator for food production and retail startups, with small production bays, a commissary kitchen, shared storage, and co-working space. Total capital investment: $4.7 million. Estimated economic benefits: 20 temporary construction jobs and 5 permanent full-time jobs (with an expected 25+ tenant jobs). Tax impact: current annual taxes $6,685; after rehab without abatement, estimated $40,784; with 12-year abatement, taxes would be approximately $6,905/year. The net benefit to the city over 12 years is $127,970.

• Developer Jonathan Updike (Brand Detroit, Greatwater Opportunity Capital) noted the project aligns with Eastern Market's vision, citing support letters from neighboring businesses (EW Grobbel, Eastern Market Development Corp., Detroit City Distillery, Strauss Brothers). He emphasized his track record of delivering past projects (Marrow restaurant/meat Processing, East Village single-family homes) and stated that the facility would help Detroit-based food companies scale. He committed to ADA accessibility (two ADA-compliant restrooms, ramps, improved sidewalks, automated entrance door to be considered).

• Council Questions and Discussion:

  • Chair Johnson sought clarification on rental rates (target $15–20/sq ft), parking (MKT zoning waives parking requirements; street parking and rear loading zone available), and ADA details (confirmed two restrooms, automated door requested). She requested a written breakdown of square footage and rental rates per unit.
  • Pro Tem Young identified a discrepancy in the property tax impact slide (older vs. updated numbers) and asked for an analysis of the project's effect on food insecurity and income inequality. DEGC said they do not have that analysis but would follow up. Young expressed general support for the project.
  • Vice Chair Santiago Romero asked about the current condition of the building (structurally sound with a steel superstructure; needs roof, alley, and brickwork repairs) and tenant mix (early tenants include Bonbon Bon chocolate moving from Hamtramck). She raised the possibility of including affordable spaces for earlier-stage makers; the developer explained the facility is designed as a springboard for companies ready to grow beyond kitchen incubators. She committed to ensuring accessible, affordable spaces across the maker spectrum.

• Public Comments on the Hearing (5 callers):

  • Owner Papa: Questioned the 12-year abatement length and asked if the project could proceed with fewer years; argued that tax breaks shift burden to residents.
  • Caller named iPhone: Suggested incorporating a community kitchen model like Jamaica Plain, Boston, to support very small local businesses.
  • William M. Davis: Supported the incubator concept and urged that Detroit small businesses receive preferential treatment.
  • Caller ending in 534: Agreed with previous speakers and requested written commitments to ensure local startups benefit.
  • Marguerite Maddox Scarlet: Asked for details on ADA requirements, including automated doors and door widths.

• Developer Responses: Updike stated the project is cash-flow positive from year one but not highly profitable; the longer abatement allows lower rents for tenants. All targeted tenants are Detroit-based. He cited prior project deliveries as evidence of commitments. Regarding ADA, he confirmed compliance and said automated doors will be included based on feasibility.

• Outcome: A motion to send Line Item 5 to the formal city council session with a recommendation to approve was passed without objection.

Discussion Items

• Line Item 7.2 – Secondary Street Sign Process: Janice Tillman (Historic Designation Advisory Board) presented the growing challenge of applications (18 rollovers this year) against a charter limit of five honorees per year. Proposed reforms included reducing rollover years, requiring petition signatures, limiting applications to council sponsors, or using a theme-based selection. Chair Johnson emphasized ensuring representation from neighborhoods citywide and suggested rollovers should require active renewal. Pro Tem Young noted that council sponsorship could reduce numbers. The committee agreed to schedule a future ordinance amendment discussion. The report was received and filed.

• Line Item 7.4 – Downzoning of 10631 Whittier (Cover Girls Strip Club): Councilmember Johnson submitted a memorandum requesting the City Planning Commission (CPC) explore downzoning options for the property. Referred to CPC; to be brought back in three weeks. Approved.

• Line Item 7.5 – Community Outreach Ordinance Report: Councilmember Johnson requested a report on the community outreach ordinance. Referred to the Legislative Policy Division (LPD); to be brought back in two weeks. Approved.

Member Reports

• Vice Chair Santiago Romero invited District 6 residents to: a deed fraud conversation with Councilmember Waters (Feb 19, 4–6 p.m. at Community Rec Center), a monthly meeting (Feb 22, 11–1 p.m.) with lunch and topics on foreclosure prevention and know-your-rights, and an annual skate night (Feb 25).
• Pro Tem Young announced: a discussion with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) on the Lifeline program is being scheduled (responding to Betty Varner's query); the deadline for property assessment appeals through the Assessor Review is Feb 22 (4:30 p.m.), and to file with the Board of Review by March 9; and a deed fraud event in District 4 on Feb 24 (4–6 p.m.) at Samaritan Center. Contact numbers were provided.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Minutes; referrals/back: 6.1 (1-week bring-back), 6.2 (file), 6.3 (file), 7.1 (file), 7.3 (file), 7.4 (refer to CPC, 3-week return), 7.5 (refer to LPD, 2-week return); and Line Item 5 (recommended approval to full council for tax abatement).
• Action requested: Line Item 7.2 to be discussed at a future committee meeting for ordinance amendment; DEGC to explore analysis on food insecurity and income inequality for future projects; developer to provide written breakdown of rental rates and unit sizes; HDAB to circulate to council members for input on secondary street sign policies.
• Information shared: Lifeline water assistance discussion to be scheduled; property assessment appeal deadlines; community deed fraud events.