The Dirt: Making construction moves in Detroit

There are some construction updates across the city, including a possible miracle on Woodward Avenue, with some optional but expensive merch. And the city’s Office of Eviction Defense provided updates on its work and laid out plans to resuscitate two programs that could be helpful for renters but have been on the back burner for the past few years.

It’s a miracle

The almost 18-year construction saga of Pastor Marvin Winans’ Perfecting Church had its “ceremonial groundbreaking” yesterday to restart construction on the stalled project. A cinderblock structure in front of the church was partially demolished for the occasion. Billed by Winans as an opportunity to “finish the miracle on 7 Mile and Woodward,” the event follows an agreement with the city that Winans finish the building in exchange for the city dismissing a nuisance lawsuit against him . For a donation of $500 or more, church members were given the opportunity to “turn the dirt” on the site with a commemorative shovel. A $100 donation gets a mini shovel. Winans has said in the past that construction should be done within 18 months of breaking ground. (Perfecting Church, Detroit Free Press, Michigan Chronicle)

Get me bodied

The redevelopment of a Fisher Body plant built in 1919 and vacant for around 30 years has begun in earnest . For years, developers Gregory Jackson and Richard Hosey have been working on plans for the site that include more than 400 apartments, some of which will be rented for less than market rents , and about 38,000 square feet of commercial space. The project secured more than $31.3 million in brownfield redevelopment subsidies, and City Council approved a community benefits agreement in July 2022. Demolition of one of the buildings on the site is mostly completed, and the other, where the apartments will be, has been partially boarded up and fenced off and workers are present. (Outlier Media, Reddit, BridgeDetroit, City of Detroit, Detroit Documenters)

Right to counsel updates

Drawing some attention here to Detroit Documenters coverage of the second public meeting of the Office of Eviction Defense. Officials provided updates on their work since the City Council passed the Detroit Right to Counsel Ordinance . Documenter Amy Senese provided fantastic coverage of the meeting and the history of the office.

According to Diamond Conley, executive director of the office, the city had more than 20,000 evictions last year. As big as that number is, it’s still significantly lower than the yearly average of evictions from 2014-18 , which was almost 30,000. There was some consensus at the meeting that many Detroiters facing eviction still don’t know that free legal help is available. Conley also said two Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) programs that have been on the back burner for the last few years will get a refresh.

This month, BSEED representatives will be in court to provide judges information about a property’s certificate of compliance . Conley also said her office is improving the city’s escrow program to make it a better option for tenants looking to hold back their rent from landlords who won’t make necessary repairs. (Detroit Documenters, Detroit Right to Counsel Coalition, Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan, Outlier, Michigan Public)

Development news quick-hitters

The City of Detroit is expanding the help available through its Housing Resource HelpLine ( 866-313-2520 ). Residents can now get help and referrals for utility bill help, transportation and some other social services (Outlier, Crain’s Detroit Business)

The Rite Aid location in Midtown is closing amid the company’s bankruptcy and closure of about 20 stores in Michigan — and about 200 across the U.S. The chain’s pharmacy on 8 Mile Road closed last year . (WDIV, WXYZ)

Rocket Mortgage and United Wholesale Mortgage combined had 21,400 fewer people working for them at the end of last year than they did at the end of 2020, as mortgage originations fell nationwide. The two companies are still some of the largest employers in the area. (Crain’s Detroit Business)

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