Detroit City Council Meeting: July 9, 2026 - Public Comments and Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District Hearing

On July 9, 2026, the Detroit City Council held a regular meeting. Councilmember Johnson presided, with Councilmember Gabriela Santiago Romero absent. The council approved the minutes and heard general public comment from 13 callers on topics including blight, bus tickets, insurance, and property tax concerns. The council then opened four public hearings (scheduled for 10:20, 10:25, 10:30, and 10:35), but only the 10:20 hearing regarding an obsolete property rehabilitation district at 8547 West Werner was substantially discussed. The hearing was recessed before a vote, and the status of the other hearings was not detailed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Denise Starnell Brown promoted a public safety fund day on July 18th and a citizen blight patrol meeting, urging residents to use the Detroit app to report concerns.
• Cunningham requested more bus tickets, vehicle repair assistance, and a sense of urgency for D-Dot bus service, leaving his contact number for follow-up.
• William M. Davis advocated for the city to offer will, trust, and financial planning classes for retirees and current workers, and suggested exploring ways to lower auto and homeowners insurance costs.
• Jay urged everyone to read the Willie Lynch letter, describing it as a 1712 speech on psychological control.
• Black Bag expressed frustration over being cut off from public comment and disputed a suicide tag on a friend's mother, calling himself a Detroit legend.
• Betty A. Barner (President, Soda Elsewhere Black Association) requested council support for a mini market proposed by Mr. Dabbitt and his sons, funding for redevelopment, and promoted an August 1st back-to-school event.
• Jadante Smith criticized a candidate forum with limited slots and the Detroit Land Bank Authority, and reported an unfixed sinkhole in District 5.
• Cindy Dara questioned the city's solar farm property purchases: spending over $1 million for eight houses and then selling those plus eight more for $180,000 to a developer. She also asked about tax capture on an education millage.
• You Matter (Miss Warwick) asked why she was cut off in a prior public comment, requested a written rule, and questioned the solar plan, lack of community benefits, and property sales.
• Tahira Ahmad commented on a lynching of Nolan Wells in Mississippi, requested public awareness campaigns, and noted that Pro Tempore Coleman Young II initially voted against property tax reform.
• Beverly Kendall Walker supported the rezoning of 1140 Connor for the Aviation Institute of Maintenance workforce development project.
• Samsung S M G991U asked how to use the C Click Fix app and requested help with tree trimming, prompting the chair to arrange for District 3 Department of Neighborhoods to follow up.
• Marguerite Maddox and Scarlet complained about inoperable elevators in her building and a pothole, with the chair promising to contact BC and DPW.

Discussion Items

• Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District (10:20 Hearing): The council considered a request from 8547 West Werner LLC (developer Bobby Lewis, Lewis Holdings Development) to establish a PA 146 obsolete property rehabilitation district for a mixed-use project at 8605 West Werner (formerly 8547 West Werner) in Council District 6. The project involves a $1.6 million rehabilitation of a blighted building into 7,200 square feet: 3,100 square feet of residential space (four two-bedroom units, all at 60-70% Area Median Income) and 3,600 square feet of commercial space. The developer commits to maintaining affordability for the life of the 12-year tax abatement. City staff (Alton from the DGC) confirmed eligibility, strategic benefits (affordable units, blight elimination, community amenity), economic benefits (10 temporary construction jobs, 1 permanent job, space for two local businesses), and fiscal benefits (12-year tax benefit of $62,868, or about $5,239 per year). The DGC determined the project meets the "but for" requirement, as the developer would not cover debt service without the incentive. Existing annual taxes are approximately $9,870; after construction, unabated taxes would be $27,985, and with the abatement, $15,185. The architect described universal design features, energy efficiency, and connection to the Joe Louis Greenway. The hearing was called to order, recessed, recalled, and then recessed again before a vote.

Key Outcomes

• The council approved the minutes from the previous meeting.
• The 10:20 public hearing for the obsolete property rehabilitation district was recessed to the call of the chair, with no vote taken. The status of the three other scheduled public hearings was not resolved in the transcript.
• No formal votes or decisions were made on the agenda items discussed.