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Record of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - July 2, 2026

City Council — Thursday, July 2, 2026
BodyDetroit, Michigan
SessionCity Council
DateThursday, July 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:53:27

Original source
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0:00

2026.

0:02

Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll?

0:05

Councilmember Letitia Johnson present.

0:07

Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero.

0:10

Present.

0:10

Council President Pro Tempera Colman A.

0:12

Young the second.

0:14

Pro Tim is on his way.

0:15

He will be arriving shortly.

0:17

Clerk was so note.

0:18

Madam Chair, you have a quorum present.

0:20

Thank you.

0:20

Having a quorum present, we are now in session.

0:24

And good morning, Member Santiago Romero.

0:26

Is there a motion on the minutes?

0:28

Good morning.

0:29

Motion to approve.

0:30

Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken.

0:34

And we are going to move into public comment.

0:38

If you are joining us and would like to make a general public comment, please raise your hand.

0:44

Whether in person or virtually, we do have Mr.

0:48

Cunningham here in person with us.

0:50

Please raise your hand virtually if you would like to make a general public comment.

0:56

Public comment will be cut off in two minutes at 10.07.

1:01

Good morning, Miss Gray.

1:02

How many hands do we currently have raised?

1:06

Good morning, madam chair.

1:07

We currently have seven hands raised for virtual public comment.

1:10

Thank you.

1:11

Let's set the clock for two minutes and we'll get started with Mr.

1:15

Cunningham, who's here in the committee of the whole good morning, honorable uh council persons, and good morning, everyone under the sound of my voice.

1:45

313, 444, 9114, 313, 444, 914.

1:51

313, 444, 9114.

1:54

That number was made so you can remember it.

1:56

Um there's a transit millage.

1:59

I got uh kicker cards I can deliver to you.

2:03

Uh anyone under the sound of my voice, they're like small cardboard or I'll always say small uh cards with the information for the millage on them.

2:14

You can get as many as you like.

2:16

Hit me up.

2:17

It is just a just a shame.

2:19

I've been doing this for a long time.

2:21

D dot is on time 65 percent.

2:23

65 to 70 percent.

2:25

Where's the sense of urgency?

2:27

A phone call, an email to the director to put some fire up under him.

2:32

Fire sense of urgency.

2:35

65 to 70 percent is terrible.

2:39

Terrible.

2:39

And remember, I don't get paid for this.

2:41

Remember that I make money off bus service being bad.

2:44

If it's bad, I make money.

2:46

So I'm doing this from the heart.

2:48

I'm I I'm everybody's sitting in the uh office somewhere.

2:53

I'm out here, okay?

2:54

And I know what I'm seeing, and I know what they're telling me.

2:58

Um, I'm asking those to love, love genuinely, love without schism, without schism, without schism, either hate directly and boldly or love directly and boldly.

3:09

Don't be scared.

3:12

Um, I'm looking for bus ride-alongs.

3:14

If you want to do a bus to ride along, any candidate or incumbent, you know the number.

3:19

Pray for me.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development██████████████████████████████30%
Procedural██████████████14%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Zoning and Land Use█████████9%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Accessibility█████5%
Public Health█████5%
Housing████4%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting - July 2, 2026

The Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole met on July 2, 2026, to address a range of items including public comments, two public hearings for obsolete property rehabilitation certificates, and multiple property transfers and contract approvals. Key discussions focused on the redevelopment of the 600 Tower of the Renaissance Center and a bistro in the Morningside neighborhood, along with community concerns about transit, schools, and environmental justice.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mr. Cunningham (in-person) expressed urgency about D-DOT on-time performance (65-70%), promoted transit millage information, and offered bus ride-alongs. He also mentioned awaiting contact from Councilwoman Johnson.
  • Dr. Denise Darnell voiced support for Proposal S, which funds arts, music, PE, athletics, career programs, and building repairs for Detroit Public Schools without costing homeowners. She also supported the Wayne County transit millage for accessibility and affordable transportation.
  • William M. Davis advocated for an entertainment tax or central business district tax, citing lost revenue from Joe Louis Arena and the need to improve conditions at the Detroit Detention Center.
  • Black Bag alleged election cheating by city officials, criticized specific council members, and called for a special election. He also raised concerns about ticketing and blight.
  • Marguerite Maddox and Scarlet reported an elevator issue at a city building and requested assistance.
  • Owner Papa opposed the 10.1 grant funding for North Corktown from a Boston-based developer, arguing that the city favors non-black residents and that tax dollars are misappropriated. He also opposed any millage votes.
  • Cindy Dara suggested using funds to pay off millages instead of hiring out-of-state companies, and emphasized environmental health concerns.
  • Shadante Smith described his volunteer work boarding up homes and demolishing dangerous structures, noted disparities in land bank maintenance across districts, and responded to comments from Councilwoman Miller.

Discussion Items

  • 1020 Public Hearing: Cash Only Bistro Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Certificate – The DEGC and developer Charlotta Hall presented a $853,540 project to rehabilitate a vacant former dry cleaner at 16215 East Warren into a full-service pasta restaurant and community hub. The project will create 10 permanent FTE jobs and 15–20 construction jobs, with a 12-year property tax exemption (except DPS and state education tax). The but-for test was met due to inability to cover debt service without the incentive. Public comment included support from Owner Papa (Carolyn Hughes) and concerns from Black Bag about broader equity. The council voted to send the item to formal with a recommendation to approve.
  • 1025 Public Hearing: Stockbridge Renaissance LLC Oprah Certificate – The DEGC and developer Stockbridge Enterprises (led by Dr. Al Hadidi) presented a $65 million adaptive reuse of the 600 Tower of the Renaissance Center (590 East Jefferson). The project includes 86 rental units (18 affordable at 60-80% AMI), a 200-room hotel, 40,000 sq ft retail, and 6 condos. The Oprah certificate covers floors 1–13 (hotel and retail). The but-for analysis showed the project could not proceed without incentives. Expected net fiscal benefit to the city: $4.2 million over 15 years; 100 FTE jobs and 150 construction jobs. Public comment included support from Marguerite Maddox and questions from Owner Papa about obsolescence, condominium incentives, and the need for Alvin Horn's testimony. William M. Davis asked about stormwater management, green energy, and parking fees. The council moved to bring the item back in two weeks.
  • 1035 Public Hearing: Brownfield Plan for Stockbridge Renaissance – Brian Gosberg of DEGC presented the Brownfield TIFF plan, which captures $16.7 million in tax increment over 30 years, with $11.5 million allocated to support 18 affordable units at 60-80% AMI. The plan qualifies through housing property provisions, not obsolescence. Public comment echoed previous concerns. The council voted to bring the item back in two weeks.
  • 10.1 Contract Amendment: North Corktown Residential Redevelopment – Discussion focused on the competitive selection process for The Community Builders (Boston-based) for a $1 million grant extension. Alexis Alexander of HRD explained that the developer was selected through a 2020 RFQ process with five bids, and the grant (Eagle) is tied to the developer. Councilman Young questioned the lack of local bidders and requested minority-owned media spending data. The item was approved after being brought back to the end of the agenda.
  • 10.2 Window AC Unit Installation Contract – Rico Razo and Amy Amador presented a $378,050 grant from MDOT to provide window AC units with MERV 13 filters to 166 households south of I-75, near the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. The program includes electrical upgrades and resident education. Councilwoman Santiago Romero noted the need for broader city-funded programs but acknowledged the lending of credit rule. The item was approved.

Key Outcomes

  • 1020 Public Hearing: Motion to send line item 5 to formal with recommendation to approve – passed without objection.
  • 1025 Public Hearing: Motion to bring line item 6 back in two weeks – passed without objection.
  • 1035 Public Hearing: Motion to bring line item 8 back in two weeks – passed without objection.
  • 10.1 (North Corktown): Motion to approve and send to formal – passed without objection.
  • 10.2 (AC Unit Installation): Motion to approve and send to formal – passed without objection.
  • Unfinished Business (9.1–9.6): Various property sales and transfers approved or brought back for future dates. Notably, line item 9.2 (1728 Moran) was brought back for a date to be determined in September. Line item 9.4 (district six properties) was approved with discussion on land bank plans.
  • 10.3–10.6: Reports and resolutions referred to committees or brought back for further review.
  • Member Reports: No substantive reports; meeting adjourned with a reminder to stay safe and hydrated during the holiday weekend.

Meeting Transcript

2026. Madam Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Letitia Johnson present. Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero. Present. Council President Pro Tempera Colman A. Young the second. Pro Tim is on his way. He will be arriving shortly. Clerk was so note. Madam Chair, you have a quorum present. Thank you. Having a quorum present, we are now in session. And good morning, Member Santiago Romero. Is there a motion on the minutes? Good morning. Motion to approve. Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken. And we are going to move into public comment. If you are joining us and would like to make a general public comment, please raise your hand. Whether in person or virtually, we do have Mr. Cunningham here in person with us. Please raise your hand virtually if you would like to make a general public comment. Public comment will be cut off in two minutes at 10.07. Good morning, Miss Gray. How many hands do we currently have raised? Good morning, madam chair. We currently have seven hands raised for virtual public comment. Thank you. Let's set the clock for two minutes and we'll get started with Mr. Cunningham, who's here in the committee of the whole good morning, honorable uh council persons, and good morning, everyone under the sound of my voice. 313, 444, 9114, 313, 444, 914. 313, 444, 9114. That number was made so you can remember it. Um there's a transit millage. I got uh kicker cards I can deliver to you. Uh anyone under the sound of my voice, they're like small cardboard or I'll always say small uh cards with the information for the millage on them. You can get as many as you like. Hit me up. It is just a just a shame. I've been doing this for a long time. D dot is on time 65 percent. 65 to 70 percent. Where's the sense of urgency? A phone call, an email to the director to put some fire up under him. Fire sense of urgency. 65 to 70 percent is terrible. Terrible. And remember, I don't get paid for this. Remember that I make money off bus service being bad.

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