The Equity Factor

A TIF-Esque Strategy Is on the Table for Detroit’s Eastern Market

A new TRA could bring in $50 million in improvements over the next 25 years.

Credit: Bill Bradley

This is your first of three free stories this month. Become a free or sustaining member to read unlimited articles, webinars and ebooks.

Become A Member

Eastern Market has served the city of Detroit since 1891. While this outdoor food hub bustles even in the depths of winter, the streets and neighborhoods nearby are in various states of disrepair. Now, a private organization that runs the market wants to give the surrounding area a facelift.

The Eastern Market Corporation took over responsibility for the eponymous market in 2006, overseeing it in a public-private partnership with the city. But where, in a Detroit watching its financial future play out in a courtroom, will the group finds the cash it needs to become a force for redevelopment?

Possibly, the answer lies in launching Michigan’s first Targeted Redevelopment Area (TRA), which falls under the state’s Brownfield Redevelopment law umbrella.

The TRA will essentially use tax increment financing — a strategy wherein taxes generated within a given district are poured back into that same district — to make improvements in the Eastern Market area. That way, any revenue generated from rehabs or other development will go toward future projects in the same neighborhood. (The only difference between TRAs and tax increment financing districts is that the former focus singularly on redevelopment of blighted land.)

The plan is to branch out to other neighborhoods, many of which suffer from the familiar trappings of blight: Empty parcels, busted street lamps and vacant buildings. But the group doesn’t want a drastic remaking of Eastern Market, nor does it want to lose any of the large-scale food production and distribution that makes up the market’s DNA.

In a Crain’s Detroit story, Dan Carmody, president of the Eastern Market Corporation, emphasized that the TRA is as much about preservation as it is about expansion:

The west side, and heart of the market, will stay focused on businesses that are dirty and loud and make food, which might not make for a great place to live. Our focus is to ramp up development along Gratiot Avenue and the Dequindre Cut corridor to build more diverse uses around general retail, housing and the creative class.

Carmody told Crain’s that he thinks the TRA could generate up to $50 million over the next 25 years. As is the case with any redevelopment, it hinges on how much investment comes in the future. Given the market’s modest gains in recent years — it leveraged $1.85 million in grants in 2009 with a revenue of $2.84 million, which increased to $2.95 million in grants and $4 million revenue in 2009 — I suspect some developers will be chomping at the bit to join in.

The Equity Factor is made possible with the support of the Surdna Foundation.

Like what you’re reading? Get a browser notification whenever we post a new story. You’re signed-up for browser notifications of new stories. No longer want to be notified? Unsubscribe.

Bill Bradley is a writer and reporter living in Brooklyn. His work has appeared in Deadspin, GQ, and Vanity Fair, among others.

Follow Bill

Tags: economic developmentdetroitequity factorpublic-private partnershipstax increment financing

×
Next City App Never Miss A StoryDownload our app ×
×

You've reached your monthly limit of three free stories.

This is not a paywall. Become a free or sustaining member to continue reading.

  • Read unlimited stories each month
  • Our email newsletter
  • Webinars and ebooks in one click
  • Our Solutions of the Year magazine
  • Support solutions journalism and preserve access to all readers who work to liberate cities

Join 1096 other sustainers such as:

  • Anonymous in Grand Rapids, MI at $10/Month
  • Mike in Roseville, CA at $10.00/Month
  • Davis at $10/Month

Already a member? Log in here. U.S. donations are tax-deductible minus the value of thank-you gifts. Questions? Learn more about our membership options.

or pay by credit card:

All members are automatically signed-up to our email newsletter. You can unsubscribe with one-click at any time.

  • Donate $20 or $5/Month

    20th Anniversary Solutions of the Year magazine

has donated ! Thank you 🎉
Donate
×