Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting – September 10, 2026

The Committee of the Whole meeting of the Detroit City Council convened on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The meeting included general public comment, two public hearings on tax abatement and rezoning, discussion of a zoning text amendment, and several agenda items referred for future consideration. Key actions included sending a hotel redevelopment tax abatement to formal session without recommendation, approving a rezoning for a daycare center, and scheduling a public hearing for secondary street signs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment (9:00 AM–10:05 AM): Several speakers addressed the council. One speaker criticized capitalism and questioned the council's economic development approach, expressing a desire for community control of resources. Another speaker urged the city to retain more capital in Detroit and increase support for retirees, seniors, and the disabled. A third speaker requested that the city remove limits on how often residents can apply for home repair funding, citing past returns of unspent funds. Another commenter accused council members of election fraud and demanded audits. A speaker representing the Virginia Park Community Coalition called for continued investment in the I-94 corridor, including maintenance of vacant lots and park improvements. One speaker opposed a massive zoning text amendment (item 7.1), arguing it was too large and not understandable to residents, and requested separate consideration. Another speaker raised concerns about the amendment's size and urged compliance with the city charter. A resident described being followed by Detroit police and alleged a personal vendetta; he stated he was taking legal action.
• Public Hearing: 1020 – Hotel Tax Abatement (Fort Shelby Hotel): Two speakers in person and three virtually addressed the 1020 public hearing on the PA 255 commercial facilities exemption for the Fort Shelby Hotel. One speaker raised concerns about soil contamination testing, ADA compliance, and affordability for residents. Another questioned why the city would give millions in tax abatement while receiving only hundreds of thousands in net benefit over 12 years, and argued that income tax revenue should not be relied upon to benefit residents. A virtual commenter called for a pause on the project until details on the general contractor and local involvement were provided. Another commenter asked about the developer's experience in other cities and the role of incentives. A final speaker urged the council to hold off on the project until a local contractor was identified and local vendors were engaged.
• Public Hearing: 1045 – Rezoning for Daycare (Mack and Alter): Three virtual speakers and two in person commented. One speaker applauded the developer for reaching out to the Community Advisory Council but expressed hesitancy about rezoning from PD to B4, which could open the site to other uses beyond the proposed daycare. Another speaker criticized the developer as wealthy and out of touch, questioning their investment in the community and urging deeper outreach. A virtual commenter argued that rezoning was not needed and accused council members of being illegitimate. Another supported the rezoning, noting the need for daycare slots, and asked about cost to families. A final speaker said the B4 zoning seemed appropriate given surrounding uses.

Discussion Items

• 1020 Public Hearing – Commercial Facilities Exemption (Fort Shelby Hotel, 525 West Lafayette): The committee considered a 12-year PA 255 commercial redevelopment certificate for the Fort Shelby Hotel, a $41.9 million renovation to rebrand from DoubleTree to Embassy Suites. The project includes 203 guest rooms (increasing to 204), a new Starbucks retail outlet, and improved ADA access. Presenters from Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (Alton Williams) and 6 PM Hospitality (Peter Bucuma) stated that the abatement would freeze taxable value at pre-rehab levels, with a projected net fiscal benefit of $432,000 over 12 years, including $158,000 in city income taxes, $260,000 in utility user taxes, and $102,000 in miscellaneous fees, less $88,000 in service costs. The existing annual property tax is $173,268; unabated new taxes would be $1.26 million; with abatement, $205,111. The project would create 30 temporary construction jobs, 10 permanent FTE jobs, and retain 80 existing jobs. Attorney Richard Barr added that additional property taxes on land would total over $30,000 in year one, not captured in the standard model. The developer noted that the abatement is contingent on bank financing for the renovation. Councilmember Santiago Romero questioned the choice of Starbucks over a local vendor and whether the hotel is unionized (it is not; no plans to unionize). Councilmember Johnson expressed concerns about the property's history and asked that the item be sent without recommendation. The committee voted to send it to formal session without recommendation.
• 1045 Public Hearing – Rezoning for Daycare (Mack and Alter): The committee considered a rezoning from Planned Development (PD) to B4 General Business District for the Mac-Altar Square shopping center at 1463 Mack Avenue. The applicant, Michael Curris (Mac Alter Square), proposed to accommodate a commercial daycare (Kingdom Care) in a vacant space formerly occupied by Foot Locker. The daycare would have six classrooms for infants, toddlers, and after-school care, plus a 2,000-square-foot outdoor play area. CPC staff noted that the PD was originally used for aesthetic control, and the rezoning would allow the daycare and align with city efforts to reduce PD zones. The developer stated that the shopping center has a long history of community partnership, including with Warren/Conner Development Coalition and ECN. The daycare owners, Kingdom Care (13 years operating in Detroit), stated that about 60% of their families receive state child care assistance. Councilmember Johnson asked about traffic safety; the developer described a traffic safety plan with signage and curb cuts. Council President Pro Tempore Young highlighted the daycare shortage in the city and supported the rezoning. The committee approved sending the item to formal session with a recommendation for approval.
• Discussion of Zoning Text Amendment (Item 7.1): Director Tide of the City Planning Commission presented the sixth general text amendment to Chapter 50 of the Detroit City Code (zoning). He explained that the amendment contains many housekeeping items and updates to reconcile previous council actions, and that the zoning code itself is the subject, not a single issue. He offered to hold additional community sessions and provide a summary. Councilmember Johnson asked how the public could provide input before the public hearing; Director Tide provided the CPC phone number (313-224-625) and email (CPC@Detroitmi.gov). Pro Tempore Young requested a two-week postponement for a committee presentation and to allow time for review, noting he would be absent the following week. The committee voted to send the item to formal session for introduction and setting of a public hearing, with the understanding that a detailed presentation would be given in two weeks.
• Other Agenda Items: Several items were deferred or referred: a request for a report on property owners with 10+ residential/commercial properties (7.3) was moved back two weeks; a request on Detroit Housing issues (7.5) was moved back two weeks; a property sale of 16 homes by reverter (7.7) was moved back two weeks; a property transfer at 1728 Moran (7.8) was removed; and a report on secondary street sign locations (8.1) was received and filed, with a public hearing scheduled for October 23, 2026. A walk-on resolution setting that public hearing was approved.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved without objection.
• Item 5 (1020 Public Hearing – Hotel Tax Abatement): Sent to formal session without recommendation.
• Item 6 (1045 Public Hearing – Daycare Rezoning): Sent to formal session with recommendation for approval.
• Item 7.1 (Zoning Text Amendment): Sent to formal session for introduction and setting of a public hearing; committee to receive a presentation in two weeks.
• Item 7.2 (Good Faith in Housing): Referred back one week.
• Item 7.3 (Report on Large Property Owners): Referred back two weeks.
• Item 7.4 (Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District): Referred back at a date to be determined.
• Item 7.5 (Detroit Housing Issues): Referred back two weeks.
• Item 7.6 (Property Transfer to Land Bank): Removed.
• Item 7.7 (Sale of 16 Homes by Reverter): Referred back two weeks.
• Item 7.8 (Property Transfer at 1728 Moran): Removed.
• Item 8.1 (Secondary Street Sign Report): Received and filed; public hearing set for Friday, October 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the Irma Henderson Auditorium.
• Item 8.2 (Detroit at Work Report): Referred back one week.
• Item 8.3 (Tax Incentive Background Check): Referred back three weeks.
• Walk-on (Secondary Street Sign Hearing): Approved to set public hearing for October 23, 2026.
• Meeting Adjourned: Without objection.