Detroit Fisher’s Body Plant 21, a historic plant and a symbol of pest for the past 25 years, is poised for redevelopment.
Mayor Mike Duggan joined developers and city officials Monday to announce plans to convert the abandoned manufacturing facility into 400 mixed-income housing units.
City officials believe the $134 million project, dubbed Fisher 21 Lofts, is the largest African American-led project in Detroit’s history.
“It’s very exciting to be able to save this historic landmark and run it for the residents of this city for decades to come,” Duggan said Monday, standing with developers Gregory Jackson of Jackson Asset Management and Richard Hosey of Hosey Development.
According to city officials, the building, along the Intersection of States 94 and 75, will be reconstructed to become 433 apartments with a new retail precinct.
Officials said construction could begin as early as 2023. The project is awaiting city council approval for the sale.
The project launches the city’s Community Benefits Act, which requires developers to put together a benefit package for the community. The city’s Department of Planning and Development plans to start meetings with residents next month.
At least 20%, or 87 units, will be at or below 80% of the median income in the area. There will be a mix of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.
The retail area below is slated to contain 28,000 square feet of commercial space and 15,000 square feet of co-working space.
The rehabilitation of the 600,000-square-foot building is expected to be completed in 2025.
The project team is based in Detroit and will recruit workers and contractors in the city.
The development includes the primary building, at 6051 Hastings in the Medbury Park neighborhood of Detroit, and two adjacent medians at 991 and 666 Harper, which will serve as parking lots for residents.
The designers, with architecture firm McIntosh Poris Associates, plan to build a 2-acre roof with city views, a quarter-mile walking path, an indoor lounge, fitness center, dog areas, and a communal space for residents.
Financial closure and construction start late next year.
