DETROIT | Ren Cen | potential redevelopment

[Steely Dan]

Detroit City Council shoots down RenCen historic review, paving way for GM, Bedrock plan
Dana Afana
Detroit Free Press
Published 4:19 p.m. ET March 4, 20225

The Detroit City Council on Tuesday rejected a request to make the Renaissance Center a historic district amid talks of redevelopment plans.

Since reports about transforming the RenCen have surfaced — including proposals that include demolishing portion of the tower campus — residents, preservationists and public officials have begun to act to preserve the structures. That included a letter from preservationists urging the city to consider adapting the existing buildings, and several residents stunned by the potential of losing a portion of their iconic skyline, and asking the city council to consider a historic designation study, which would allow the Historic District Commission to review permit applications for any work within a proposed historic district for one year. On the other side are stakeholders and supportive residents who view any future plans for the RenCen — even demolishing portions or all of it — as a viable path to create jobs and opportunities, and a flourishing riverfront.

During Tuesday’s council session, members overwhelmingly voted 8-1 to deny the historic review, with Councilwoman Angela Whitfield-Calloway being the lone vote supporting it, making room for Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock team to proceed with its proposal to conceptualize a different future for one of Detroit’s most iconic buildings. Calloway said she is not against development, but prefers to see more public input on the project, suggesting a town hall at Huntington Place.

Full article: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/m...ncil-denies-historic-review/81372650007/