Old Redford next on city’s neighborhood revitalization plan

Another Detroit neighborhood will be undergoing a transformative redevelopment in the coming years, including rehabbing homes and a school, plus landscaping vacant lots. The city released an RFP on Friday for developers interested in undertaking the revitalization project in Old Redford.

Much like the Fitzgerald neighborhood revitalization, which was announced earlier this year and broke ground last week, this redevelopment opportunity is looking to improve assets in the neighborhood for the current and future residents.

City of Detroit

The area in the proposal is bordered by Grand River and McNichols to the south, Pierson Street to the east, Pickford Street to the North and Lahser to the west. The area is just northwest of the popular Redford Theatre, Artist Village, and shops and restaurants along Grand River.

Holcomb School at the center of the neighborhood will be part of this project. The 50,000-square-foot school closed in 2010, and the city is looking for adaptive reuse proposals that could be used for residential or non-residential purposes. The school sits on 7.5 acres and it should serve as a community anchor.

City of Detroit

Any residential proposals need to include 20% affordable units for households earning up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).

The revitalization project will also include rehabbing 43 vacant houses, working with the city to demolish 23 others. The Old Redford project also would include the landscaping and ongoing maintenance of 175 vacant lots.

Proposals are due December 15 and can be submitted here. Work should begin late in 2018.