Detroit's rebirth moves to neighborhoods with plans for empty apartment complexes

DETROIT (WJBK) - As Detroit's resurgence grows in Downtown and Midtown, the neighborhoods are the next target for developers. Two empty shells, that were once posh apartments for the well-off, are looming over Detroit neighborhoods.

Lee Plaza and Woodland Apartments were once the place to live in Detroit for well-to-do Detroiters back in the 1920s. The city hopes that that the apartments will have a new lease on life in the 2020s.

One woman we spoke with described Lee Plaza as disgusting. Since the 1990s, the once luxury apartment complex has fallen on tough times. Now, like the city, it's coming back, says Detroit Housing Director Arthur Jemison.

"With the strength of the city and the strength of Midtown and new center, the development becomes more feasible," Jemison said.

The city is now putting out the call, asking developers to step up if they would like to help create a new beginning for Lee Plaza. You've heard a lot about the development of downtown but now we're hearing of that growth expanding. 

Jemison said that just a few years ago, the idea of redeveloping the building would have been almost impossible.

"(I would have said) that's going to be very expensive and the sources of funds to do it are scarce and there are other assets that I need someone to execute. That's changed," Jemison said.

To make sure it's affordable, it's redeveloped Into mixed income, The city is requiring developers to make 20 percent of the units for people making $38,000 a year or less. Rents for low to moderate income people would be anywhere between $600 and $700 a month. 

"There's a place for everybody in the neighborhood, there's growth and there's room for everybody. We are making sure that they see that in the development not only as it takes place downtown but as it moves to neighborhoods," Jemison said.

While Lee Plaza is aiming to be affordable, Woodland Street apartments are being looked at as a place for homeless.

Just north of the Boston Edison neighborhood and you'll pass by this boarded up, dilapidated old apartment complex on Woodland Street. It was closed in the 90's, now there's talk of this either becoming a place for those without any place to go or turn it into apartments as well, allowing low to moderate income Detroiters to live here. 

"(We're) making sure that every time we do a project of scale, it's got those affordable units, not just in one building but mixed in among all the other units. this is a major priority of ours because people need to feel like they're participating in the change," Jemison said.