[DetroitSky]

The Parade Company is planning a massive overhaul of the Brodhead Naval Armory on Jefferson. It includes restoration, a large addition and an extension of the RiverWalk.



Vision for Detroit's Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood: apartments, restaurants, stores

A revived Jefferson Avenue corridor with outdoor cafes, pocket parks, greenery and public art is the vision that community leaders have for Detroit's Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood.

Jefferson East Inc. and its development arm, East Jefferson Development Corporation, unveiled Thursday evening its vision in a document called the Jefferson-Chalmers Mainstreet Master Plan.

The plan focuses on redevelopment opportunities and corridor improvements designed to appeal to a variety of age groups living in the neighborhood, said Derric Scott, CEO of EJDevCo.

“By looking at these priority developments across the entire corridor and not just single development, it allows us to start to incorporate this inclusive environment that says how do we make sure that it’s successful by seniors, but also attractive and engaging to other age groups," he said. "How do we make sure that it allows for existing residents to patronize and feel welcomed, but also embracive enough that it attracts regional and outside visitors to come in as well?”

Jefferson Chalmers on the east side of Detroit sits in an area known for its canal-lined neighborhoods, waterfront parks and historic homes. The master plan study included about 70 acres of the neighborhood along the East Jefferson corridor between Alter Road and Lenox Street.

Scott said there are four projects slated to move into construction next year. EJDevCo is working with private landowners and developers to move the projects forward.

♦A development at 14522 E. Jefferson will have 1,800 square feet of retail and three residential units.

♦A site at 14326 E. Jefferson will have 3,000 square feet of retail.

♦A development of 14701 E. Jefferson will bring 40 residential units and 10,000 square feet of retail space.

♦Also slated for redevelopment is an old liquor store at Jefferson and Manistique. The plan is to develop it into one level of retail and three levels of residential. A conceptual drawing shows a multi-story brick building with large windows on the ground floor. It would cost an estimated $12 million to $15 million, according to the plan.

A few years later, Faith Church at 897 Philip St. is envisioned to become multi-family housing. The proposed development concept calls for the adjacent school to become a community center. The estimated cost to rehab the church and school is $23 million to $25 million.

Conceptual rendering of the new building at Jefferson and Manistique.


Faith Church


Rendering of restored Vanity Ballroom and neighboring Schwinn Bike Building