Detroit to revamp major housing complex
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Sheridan Place I and II. Photo: Courtesy of Detroit Housing Commission
Two public housing towers near Belle Isle with a history of poor conditions are on the precipice of a $160 million rehab project.
Why it matters: Preserving affordable housing in high-demand neighborhoods is key to Detroit's long-term growth — and stability for low-income residents.
State of play: The Detroit Housing Commission (DHC) is seeking a development partner to upgrade Sheridan Place I and II, a 409-unit community built in the early 1980s next to Gabriel Richard Park and the Belle Isle bridge.
- Sheridan II will be finished in 2028 and the other tower in 2030, under a preliminary timeline.
What they're saying: "This is a place that 400-plus Detroiters rely on for housing and it's well-located. We want to make sure that it's got the level of improvement to have its life extended for 30 years," Arthur Jemison, executive director of the DHC, tells Axios.
Catch up quick: The DHC, the city's largest affordable housing provider, hired Jemison last summer at a difficult time.
- Outlier Media documented a range of problems under the DHC's previous leadership.
- Some properties were in poor condition, while others remained vacant, despite waiting lists, due to the time it took DHC to process tenants.
Behind the scenes: Jemison, who previously served in Mayor Mike Duggan's administration, returned to Detroit after stints as Boston's chief planner and with HUD.
- He has a reputation as a pragmatic and effective leader.
The big picture: "We're in pivotal points within the organization of trying to re-level, re-stand it up, to make sure that it's sustainable going forward," Irene Tucker, DHC deputy director and chief operating officer, tells Axios.
Zoom in: The Sheridan redevelopment will include upgraded elevators, kitchens and bathrooms, with an emphasis on energy efficiency.
- A federal affordable housing preservation program will finance the majority of the project, Jemison says.
- Other funding sources include city and state grants and proceeds from the DHC's $23 million sale of the former Brewster-Douglass public housing site in 2018.
Flashback: The Sheridan received failing inspection scores in 2021 and was severely damaged by flooding that followed, per Outlier.
Context: Sheridan's proximity to Belle Isle, the Riverwalk and West Village is an added bonus — its rehab will boost affordable housing options in a desirable area.
What's next: Potential redevelopment partners had 45 days to respond to the DHC's request for proposals, which was issued July 1.
- The commission is expected to select its development partner in September.