Massive $3B development in New Center takes another step forward

A $3 billion development that would change the landscape of New Center is taking its next step forward next week. The Community Benefits Ordinance (CBO) process will start for the development announced earlier this year led by Henry Ford Health, the Pistons, and Michigan State University. 

The development includes a new 1 million+-square-foot Henry Ford Health hospital tower, a new medical research facility (with MSU), two new mixed-use buildings, an adaptive reuse of One Ford Place into mixed-use residential, more public green spaces, and a new 800-space parking deck. The new and renovated properties will result in over 600 new residential units. 

Earlier this month, Dan Gilbert and the Gilbert Family Foundation announced a $375 million commitment to two new medical facilities within the development. In June, MSU expanded their commitment within the city as the new majority owner of the Fisher Building in New Center.

“I have always viewed the Pistons as a community asset,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores. “When we moved downtown, we had an ambitious agenda for using our platform to bring people together to effect change. We’ve worked hard to deliver on that promise and more, and then continued seeking new ways to be impactful. This development presents a new opportunity to accelerate growth and contribute to the revitalization of the city. We’re excited to work with our partners and the community we serve to transform our shared neighborhood.”

The Pistons built a practice facility in the same neighborhood when they moved back to the city. 

The CBO kicks in when a development is over $75 million and either receives $1 million or more in property tax abatements or $1 million or more in value of city land sale or transfer. Developers will have at least seven meetings with residents of the surrounding neighborhood; early on, a nine-member Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) is selected. The NAC works with the developers to decide on benefits to the surrounding areas, which could include jobs, housing for low income residents, upgrades to parks, construction stipulations, and more. 

Although the CBO meetings are for residents of the impact area around the development, anyone is welcome to attend. The impact area for this development includes the NW Goldberg, New Center, Piety Hill, and Virginia Park neighborhoods.

 The first two CBO meetings will be October 3 and 10. We should learn clearer details about the development - including funding and timeline - during the meetings.