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.
General public comment was held from approximately 10:00 to 10:05 a.m. Eleven virtual and one in-person speaker participated.
(Note: The collection of general public comment was cut off at 10:05 a.m.)
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:
Public Comments on the Hearing (5 callers):
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.
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.
Thursday, February 19th, 2026. Mr. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Good morning, Councilmember Letitia Johnson. Present. Councilmember Gabriel Santiago Romero. Present. Council Pro Tim Coleman Young, second. Uh pro Tim is on his way up. He will be here shortly. The clerk will so no. Madam Chair, there's a corner. Thank you. Having a quorum present, we are now in session. Good morning, Member Santiago Romero. Is there a motion on the minutes? Motion to approve. There's a motion to approve the minutes. Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken. And we will move into general public comment. If there is anyone joining us in person or virtually who'd like to make a public comment during this general public comment, please raise your hand. General public comment will be cut off in two minutes at 10 05. We do have one hand raised in the committee of the whole. Good morning, Miss Great. How many hands do we have raised virtually? Good morning, madam chair. We currently have 11 hands raised for virtual public comment. All right, we're going to give everyone one minute and 30 seconds. So if we can please set the clock for one minute, 30 seconds, we will ask Mr. Foster to join us for in person. General public comment. Good morning. Through the chair, just a few things. Affordable housing. I just want to highlight a few things. In 1968, the Fair Housing Act was established. It wasn't established because of the Jim Crow South. It was established because of northern governance. And particularly in Chicago, and the way that administrations and councils did business in the north and discriminated. And so I think that's important to know that a lot of those systemic discrimination still exists. No, it prohibits discrimination in um in um housing, financing, rental base on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, and familiar status. It applies to most housing. And so I think that's just important. I don't want to go too far into it, but our city has been undermined when it comes down to our housing. A lot of discrimination. We have to do better with where our hood funds is going to. And um, I think that's just very important as a citizen, as one that fought in the federal government. I think it's important that we protect that and ensure that those funds go where they're supposed to go. Thank you. Thank you.