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Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council PED Standing Committee Meeting Summary - April 16, 2026

City Council — Thursday, April 16, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, April 16, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:16:32

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:00

And thank you for joining us for the Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee on today, Thursday, April 16th, 2026.

0:09

Mr.

0:10

Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:12

Good morning, Councilmember Letitia Johnson.

0:14

Present.

0:15

Councilmember Gabrielle Santiago Romero.

0:17

Present.

0:18

Council President Pro Tim Coleman, the second.

0:23

Madam Chair, there's a quorum.

0:25

Thank you.

0:25

Having a quorum present, we are now in session.

0:30

Good morning, Member Santiago Romero.

0:32

Is there a motion on the minutes?

0:35

Good morning, Madam Chair motion to approve.

0:38

There's a motion to approve the minutes.

0:39

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

0:43

And we are going to move into public comment.

0:48

If there is anyone joining us in person or virtually who'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand.

0:55

Please raise your hand.

0:57

Public comment will be cut off at 10 05.

1:00

My clock is registering 1003.

1:08

How many hands do we currently have raised?

1:11

Good morning, madam chair.

1:12

There are currently 10 hands raised for general uh for virtual public comment.

1:17

Okay, we're gonna give everyone one minute 30 seconds for general public comment.

1:24

You will please set the clock and we'll get started with Mr.

1:27

Cunningham.

1:41

313 4449114.

1:44

That's my number.

1:46

Um I just want to uh thank uh councilwoman Johnson.

1:52

Um district for two days and um for all the work you all do, uh Councilman Gabriella Santa Row and both of you in regards to DD.

2:03

Uh tonight there's an input meeting.

2:06

We have a hybrid out of the Detroit People's Platform Um building on the fifth floor.

2:13

Um we're gonna have pizza wings and two thirty one day pass raffles 31 day passes, and that comes from donations.

2:20

Um the work that I do, I do not get paid for.

2:23

I do get assistance with certain items I give out, um, but still it costs some money to take time off, takes money for gasoline, takes money to buy the pizza and and and things of that nature.

2:35

So your donations are greatly appreciated.

2:38

Um 313 444 914.

2:40

I will send you the flyer again.

2:43

If you would like to attend tonight, 430 is our uh hybrid.

2:48

The actual meeting begins at 5 p.m.

2:51

Detroit Department of Transportation.

2:52

The ID number is 962 6808255.

2:59

And again, I will text you the flyer.

3:02

That's the persons at home listening or anyone listening.

3:06

Thank you so much.

3:08

Stay prayed up.

3:09

There is a lot going on, and you don't have to be perfect to pray.

3:15

Thank you.

3:19

Public comment has now been cut off.

3:22

And who is our first virtual caller?

3:27

Our first caller is William M.

3:28

Davis.

3:31

Mr.

3:31

Clerk, if you will please note that pro Tim has joined us.

3:36

Thank you.

3:37

And William M.

3:38

Davis, you have one minute, 30 seconds for general public comment.

3:42

Good morning.

3:43

Can I be heard?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████████████23%
Public Comment███████████████████19%
Zoning and Land Use███████████11%
Affordable Housing██████████10%
Brownfield Redevelopment████████8%
Procedural██████6%
Arts And Culture████4%
Home Repair Services███3%
Contract Management██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee Meeting

The Detroit City Council Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee convened on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at approximately 10:00 AM. Chair Letitia Johnson presided over the meeting, joined by Councilmembers Gabriela Santiago Romero and Council President Pro Tem Coleman Young II. The agenda included public hearings on a major mixed-use development in Corktown, bond authorization for the Music Hall expansion, and multiple legislative items.

Consent Calendar

  • The committee unanimously approved the minutes from the prior meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • General Public Comment (10:03 AM - 10:05 AM cutoff): Multiple residents addressed the council. Mr. Cunningham expressed support for the council's work on the DDOT input meeting. William M. Davis argued the city receives insufficient compensation from the Great Lakes Water Authority lease. Cecilia McClellan and Gwendolyn Howard promoted the street naming ceremony for Rev. Dr. Joanne Watson. Owner Papa criticized the Stellantis Home Repair Program (Item 10.1), alleging inequitable funding distribution between districts and questioning the grant's origin. Jadante Smith criticized the council's oversight of Cronos Concrete and accused Councilmember Coleman Young's office of unresponsiveness.
  • Corktown NEZ Hearing (10:15): Bill Downing (Community Builders) and resident Jordan Chapman expressed support. Kathy Schneider (Western Corktown Association) supported the project but voiced concerns over the long-term availability of the off-site parking. William M. Davis and Betty A. Varner stressed the need for union labor and deeper affordability. Owner Papa opposed the project, arguing the area is not distressed and questioning the economic benefit of the tax freeze.
  • Corktown Brownfield Hearing (10:25): Owner Papa questioned the site contamination discovery and remediation plan. William M. Davis asked about deeper subsidies to make units truly affordable for the average Detroiter.
  • Music Hall Bonds Hearing (10:30): Owner Papa requested clarification on the conduit issuer role and the increased bond amount. William M. Davis asked about the project's impact on the Downtown Development Authority.

Discussion Items

  • Corktown Development (1728 Michigan Ave - Items 5 & 7): The developer, Corktown Development Properties (Chance Daniel), presented a $31.4 million, 9-story, 60-unit mixed-use building with 20% of units designated affordable at 80% Area Median Income (AMI). The project includes environmental remediation funded through a Brownfield TIF. Councilmember Santiago Romero expressed significant concerns that 80% AMI is not affordable for the average Detroiter (who makes around $40k) and stated that a commitment to union labor is critical for her support, referencing the Godfrey project. Pro Tem Coleman Young II emphasized the tax base diversification benefits of the project as a whole but explicitly stated the lack of a union labor commitment was a major sticking point and urged the developer to secure it. Chair Johnson requested details on parking costs for affordable tenants and community support letters.
  • Music Hall Expansion (Item 8): The committee reviewed an amended $174 million project plan for the Music Hall expansion. Vince Paul (President) presented plans for a new music academy, concert hall, and restaurant. The plan is financed by up to $166 million in 501(c)(3) bonds issued through the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) as a conduit. The administration clarified the City of Detroit and the EDC are not financial obligors on the bonds. Councilmembers expressed unanimous support for the project.
  • Stellantis Home Repair Program (Item 10.1): Chief Razo presented contract amendments totaling $3.3 million from the Stellantis Community Benefits Agreement. Funds were reallocated from a contractor with higher pricing (CTI) to Blue Horizon and DMC to maximize the number of occupied home repairs (130 homes total).
  • Unfinished Business (Items 9.1 - 9.6): Several memoranda were addressed. 9.1 (Tax Foreclosures) was removed for a different process. 9.2 (BZA Notices) was brought back in one week. 9.3 (Property Sales Price Consistency) was brought back in two weeks. 9.4 (Recovery Costs) and 9.6 (M4 Buffer Text) were received and filed. 9.5 (Leland House NAP Suit) was brought back TBD due to ongoing litigation.

Key Outcomes

  • Corktown NEZ (Item 5): Motion passed to bring back as a line item in one week (effectively two weeks due to council recess) to allow further research and discussions on union labor and affordability.
  • Corktown Brownfield TIF (Item 7): Postponed for two weeks to align with the NEZ discussion.
  • Music Hall Expansion Bonds (Item 8): Approved and sent to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
  • Stellantis Home Repair Contracts (Item 10.1 & Walk-On): Approved and sent to formal session.
  • Public Safety Ordinance (Item 10.3): Properly referred to the Public Health and Safety Standing Committee.

Meeting Transcript

And thank you for joining us for the Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee on today, Thursday, April 16th, 2026. Mr. Clerk, will you please call the roll? Good morning, Councilmember Letitia Johnson. Present. Councilmember Gabrielle Santiago Romero. Present. Council President Pro Tim Coleman, the second. Madam Chair, there's a quorum. Thank you. Having a quorum present, we are now in session. Good morning, Member Santiago Romero. Is there a motion on the minutes? Good morning, Madam Chair motion to approve. There's a motion to approve the minutes. Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken. And we are going to move into public comment. If there is anyone joining us in person or virtually who'd like to make a public comment, please raise your hand. Please raise your hand. Public comment will be cut off at 10 05. My clock is registering 1003. How many hands do we currently have raised? Good morning, madam chair. There are currently 10 hands raised for general uh for virtual public comment. Okay, we're gonna give everyone one minute 30 seconds for general public comment. You will please set the clock and we'll get started with Mr. Cunningham. 313 4449114. That's my number. Um I just want to uh thank uh councilwoman Johnson. Um district for two days and um for all the work you all do, uh Councilman Gabriella Santa Row and both of you in regards to DD. Uh tonight there's an input meeting. We have a hybrid out of the Detroit People's Platform Um building on the fifth floor. Um we're gonna have pizza wings and two thirty one day pass raffles 31 day passes, and that comes from donations. Um the work that I do, I do not get paid for. I do get assistance with certain items I give out, um, but still it costs some money to take time off, takes money for gasoline, takes money to buy the pizza and and and things of that nature. So your donations are greatly appreciated. Um 313 444 914. I will send you the flyer again. If you would like to attend tonight, 430 is our uh hybrid. The actual meeting begins at 5 p.m. Detroit Department of Transportation. The ID number is 962 6808255. And again, I will text you the flyer. That's the persons at home listening or anyone listening. Thank you so much. Stay prayed up. There is a lot going on, and you don't have to be perfect to pray. Thank you. Public comment has now been cut off.

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