Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced that 61 apartments are coming to Detroit as part of two redevelopment projects.
The two projects will bring apartments and commercial space to Detroit’s Brush Park and Mexicantown neighborhoods, according to a release from the governor’s office.
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The projects are supported by the bipartisan Revitalization and Placemaking and the Build MI Community Grant initiative, and are expected to generate a capital investment of more than $17.5 million.
“Support for these projects in highlights Michigan as the best place to grow and thrive,” said Whitmer. “Our growing economy and ‘Make it in Michigan’ strategy that invests in people, revitalizes places, and wins projects is paying off. Our population is growing, and we’ve been ranked as a top state for opportunity and doing business. Programs like RAP help us build on this progress, attract and retain talented workers, lower costs, build housing, and enrich our communities. Let’s keep working together to get things done for our state.”
Here’s what to know about each redevelopment project:
Brush Park project -- 57 apartments, retail space
Two vacant, undeveloped parcels located at 301 and 321 Edmund Place will be converted into a residential community. This area is two blocks east of Woodward Avenue, near Little Caesars Arena and the Detroit Medical Center campus.
The project will bring 57 new apartments to the area, with 20% of them reserved for households that earn no more than 80% Area Median Income, according to the release.
It will also have about 1,200 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The vision for this space includes a cafe or coffee shop that will serve residents and others in the community.
Zain Mikho, founder and managing principal of Woodward Capital Partners (WCP), is the sponsor and owner of the Brush Park redevelopment project.
WCP has recently completed projects in the city’s Midtown neighborhood, including at 632 Prentis and Campbell Symington House, according to the release.
“Our development team is deeply grateful for the financial support and partnership provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC),” said developer Zain Mikho. “The RAP grant is instrumental in making this multifamily mixed-use development possible, which will designate 20% of the units as affordable housing at 80% of AMI. Located near downtown Detroit, the project is designed to contribute to the vitality and walkability of the neighborhood while expanding access to quality housing. We feel privileged to work alongside MEDC to bring this development to fruition and to support the long-term growth of the surrounding community.”
The project is being supported by a $3.5 million RAP grant and is expected to generate a capital investment of $15.6 million.
The city also approved a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone, valued at $2,647,409, and Housing Tax Incremental Financing valued at $2,938,810.
In addition, officials said the city sold the property to the developer at more than a 50% discount from its market value.
The Detroit Brownfield Authority also committed a $1,000,000 loan through its Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund at a 1% interest rate.
“When we envisioned the Housing TIF program, we saw the potential for developments like 301 Edmund Place — turning underutilized sites into housing attainable for working families,” said Amy Hovey, MSHDA CEO and Executive Director. “Since 2023, Housing TIF has helped communities close financing gaps and move projects from concept to construction. In Detroit’s Brush Park neighborhood, it will create 57 new homes, including apartments for households earning up to 80 percent of Area Median Income. It’s thrilling to see the TIF tool being used as intended to expand housing supply and help more Michiganders live and work in the communities they choose.”
Mexicantown Project -- 4 apartments, restaurant, bar space
A vacant, two-story building at 3600 West Vernor will be turned into four apartments, with space for a restaurant and a bar on the ground floor.
The Mexicantown project is supported by a $385,000 grant from the MEDC, including $35,000 for technical assistance, and is expected to generate nearly $2 million in total investment, alongside a $1 million Strategic Neighborhood Fund grant administered by Invest Detroit, according to the release.
Developers Tanya Saldivar-Ali and Luis Ali, who grew up in Southwest Detroit, say the project will honor the cultural legacy of the historic Norteña building while creating inclusive, community-focused space that reflects the neighborhood’s identity and future growth.
“Through collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Invest Detroit, the City of Detroit Strategic Neighborhood Fund, and AGI Construction, we are proud to announce the next chapter of the historic Norteña building in Mexicantown,” said Saldivar-Ali, business development director for AGI Construction. “As Southwest Detroiters, it gives us immense pride to acquire this property from another Latino family whose business has been part of the economic lifeline and cultural fabric of our community for more than fifty years. Spaces like this carry sacrifices, stories, memories, and the everyday experiences that shape who we are as a neighborhood. Our intention is to honor that legacy while investing in its future — creating inclusive spaces that celebrate our roots and remain authentic to the culture, history, and evolving spirit of Southwest Detroit. This project is more than a building. It represents community continuity, cultural preservation, and a commitment to ensuring that development in our neighborhoods reflects the voices and values of the people who have long called this community home.”