Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee convened on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The meeting included general public comment, two public hearings (1020 and 1040), and consideration of multiple line items. Major topics were the Kirchhoffal (Kirchville) corridor businesses, the Renaissance Center redevelopment, and a proposed obsolete property rehabilitation district. Council members heard from 35+ public speakers and debated governance and benefit structures for the RenCen project.
Kirchhoffal Corridor Businesses (Councilmember Miller’s Memos): Over twenty speakers addressed the committee on the memos regarding zoning compliance and neighborhood impacts of bars and liquor establishments along Kirchhoffal.
Renaissance Center / Riverfront Redevelopment: Over 20 virtual and in‑person commenters spoke on the 1040 public hearing.
1020 Public Hearing – 7601 2nd Avenue: A few commenters spoke in support of the New Center Second Ave LLC project, including Marguerite Maddox, who asked about accessibility and benefits for residents with disabilities.
1020 Public Hearing – Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District (7601 2nd Avenue): Darren Kilgore (CEO of Second Chance Living Supportive Services) and his team presented a 1.9 million dollar commercial project reactivating 12,111 sq ft into office space (5600 sq ft for the company’s headquarters) and 6,511 sq ft of commercial retail (a bodega). The project will create 10 temporary construction jobs and 20 permanent full‑time jobs. The DGC confirmed eligibility under PA 146 (Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act) with a 12‑year property tax exemption. Net fiscal benefit over 12 years is $333,865. The project meets the “but‑for” requirement. Councilmembers raised no objections; the item was moved to formal session with a recommendation to approve.
1040 Public Hearing – Renaissance Center / Riverfront Commercial Rehabilitation District: Bedrock CEO Jared Fleischer and GM senior executives presented a $2.24 billion redevelopment of the RenCen and 35 acres of riverfront. Key elements include a 1.0 billion dollar gift to a new 501(c)(4) nonprofit structure (with GM as equal partner), a voluntary payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes (PILOT) that pays the city’s operating millage entirely (approx. $95 million to the city over the term), and a state‑funded transformational brownfield plan (no capture of city taxes). The project will generate $301.5 million in net fiscal benefit to Detroit, create 8,000 construction jobs and 2,750 permanent jobs, and produce a community benefits agreement (CBA) that the developers claimed is 8.5 times larger than any prior CBA. The nonprofit must reinvest 100% of surplus proceeds into civic betterment citywide. Councilmembers asked about governance (board composition, dissolution clauses, lobbying restrictions), opportunities for city appointees, and the level of public benefit. Member Benson raised concerns about the IRR (negative 2.4%) and stormwater management. Member McCampbell questioned the need for incentives given the size of the gifts. The item was scheduled to return on November 12, 2026.
1045 Discussion – Renaissance Zone and PILOT: The committee discussed the Renaissance Zone and voluntary payment agreement concurrently with the 1040 hearing. No separate action was taken; the discussion was closed.
Other Line Items:
The Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee on today, Thursday, October 22nd, 2026. Madam Clerk, will you please call the row? Yes, good morning. Councilmember Letitia Johnson present. Councilmember Mayor Gabriela Casantiago Romero. Present. Council President Pro Cham Goldman Young. Madam Chair, we have quorum. Thank you. Having a quorum present, we are now in session. And thank you all so much for joining us in person as well as I'm sure we have a number of people that are joining us virtually. I do want to share with anyone who's joining us in regards to the Kirchhoffal memos that we did receive a response to the responses, should be available online for you to see the responses to Member Miller's memos. I do not believe we are going to have any discussion, much discussion about those memos, but just to let you all know they are online and available for the public to see the responses. But it is now time for general public comment. So if you would like to make a comment in regards to anything, whether it is in regards to any of the items that are that are on our agenda, or we do have a few public hearings that are taking place this morning as well. The public hearings, if you have a comment about a public hearing, we would ask that you hold your comment until such time as the public hearing takes place. So that gives us the opportunity to hear from the general public during general public comment. Um and then if you'd like to make a comment about a public hearing, you can do so during that public hearing. However, if your time uh does not allow you to stay for the public hearings, you are more than welcome to make a comment during general public comment. And now I am going to open it up for general public comment. I do have a number of comment cards. I have 11 hands that were raised in the committee of the whole. If there is anyone who did not provide us with your name, please raise your hand. If you are joining us virtually, please raise your hand if you'd like to make a general public comment. And we will cut off the collection of general public comment going once. Going twice. Going three times. The collection of general public comment has concluded. I do see the three hands in the committee of the whole, and my team member just stepped away. Uh, so we will be sure to get your names. We we will be sure to get your name. I'm sorry, I didn't hear approval of the minutes while we leave. Um we'll be sure to get your names so that we can put you in the queue. I would like to note that Pro Tim Young has joined us. Clerk would know. As well as Member Miller. As well. Thank you. And colleagues, as we prepare for general public comment, is there a motion on the minutes? Motion. There's a motion to approve the minutes. Hearing no objections, that action shall be taken. And good morning, Ms. Great. How many hands do we have raised virtually? Good morning, madam chair. There are 20 hands raised for virtual public comment. All right, so that's going to give us right around 35 general public comment. Um, I, because we do have a long agenda, I am going to give everyone one minute for general public comment.