General Motors (GM) and Bedrock have proposed a $1.6 billion redevelopment of the Renaissance Center that would forever alter downtown Detroit’s iconic skyline.

The project — which calls for the demolition of the two towers closest to the riverfront, as well as ground floor retail and showroom space in the complex  — aims to “right size” the RenCen’s footprint by redeveloping the space into a six-acre riverfront park and vibrant entertainment district.

Towers 300 and 400 would be demolished under the proposal. The RenCen’s central tower would remain as a hotel, while the remaining two towers would be renovated for residential and office space.

Completed in 1976, the Renaissance Center is Michigan’s tallest building and a cornerstone of Detroit’s skyline. It was originally built during Detroit Mayor Coleman Young’s administration, as part of an effort to revitalize downtown Detroit. General Motors acquired the site in 1996 and has since invested over $1 billion in renovations.

Officials say the project seeks to adapt the complex to modern demands, addressing declining office space needs and increasing interest in urban residential and mixed-use developments.

“This iconic landmark’s future is important to Detroit and Michigan, and our shared vision with General Motors ensures that its redevelopment aligns with Detroit’s economic advancement,” said Kofi Bonner, CEO of Bedrock, in a statement.

Project highlights include:

• A new pedestrian promenade that connects to the riverfront
• Removal of the ground-level base of the complex and the two office towers nearest the river
• Redevelopment of remaining three towers into “a mix of hospitality and housing”
• Turning reclaimed land into signature public spaces
• Reconfiguring the site to allow direct access to the buildings and the riverfront

Funding and next steps

Bedrock and GM have committed to funding the majority of the project, with the remainder contingent on public financing, including potential support from Detroit’s Downtown Development Authority.

The redevelopment plan will be presented to local and state leaders in the coming weeks to seek public support and legislative approval for funding. Demolition is expected to begin within two years, with the project being carried out in phases.

GM plans to relocate its headquarters to Bedrock’s Hudson’s Detroit site by early 2026.

Neither Bedrock or GM could be reached for comment about the proposal on Monday.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced last week that he will not seek reelection in 2025, ending a 12-year run that saw Detroit exit bankruptcy and begin the climb back to stability.

Anika Goss, CEO of Detroit Future City, joins Created Equal along with journalists John Gallagher and Darren Nichols to discuss what has happened over the last decade of Duggan’s leadership and what awaits the city’s next leader. 

Subscribe to Created Equal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Goss discussed how Detroit’s rate of Black homeownership has increased to its highest level since the housing crisis and the percentage of vacant land in the city has decreased over Duggan’s mayorship. However, she says there are still large income gaps within Detroit’s middle class, rates of educational attainment continue to decrease, and the city is facing the loss of the Black middle class to the suburbs.   

Gallagher pointed out that although Duggan’s leadership has correlated with an improvement in the city’s economy, there were many local grassroots efforts in place to promote economic recovery prior to Duggan’s first term. Gallagher also discussed how the economic improvements were often focused on Detroit’s downtown and Midtown areas rather than Detroit’s neighborhoods.

Nichols discussed how last year’s NFL Draft in Detroit was a culmination of the good press and excitement Duggan had built around the city. Nichols suggested that some of Duggan’s success could be attributed to his skills as a campaigner who spoke directly to city residents and presented himself as a fresh voice for change. He believes that the next mayor will have to similarly humble themselves and address the whole city. 

Nichols also said he believes housing and poverty rates will be the most pressing issues for the city’s next leader to address.  

“We can build affordable housing, but do those people have the finances to be able to do that? Do they have the credit to be able to do that? We have to keep in mind our realism as to what Detroit’s poverty rate means for affordable housing,” he said. 

Use the media player above to listen to the full conversation. 

Guests: 

• Anika Goss is the CEO at Detroit Future City.
• John Gallagher is a journalist, senior business columnist for the Detroit Free Press, and author of the book, “Reimagining Detroit: Opportunities for Redefining an American City.”
• Darren Nichols is a journalist and contributing columnist at the Detroit Free Press 

Listen to Created Equal with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.

On this episode of the Detroit Evening Report, we discuss recent honors given to the city of Detroit for two “blight to beauty” projects in the city; a new tentative deal between UAW and Ford for Tool and Dye workers at the automaker’s River Rouge complex and more.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

From blight to beauty

The city of Detroit has received multiple awards for excellence in design for two “blight to beauty” projects — the new Jason Hargrove Transit Center and the redesign of Roosevelt Park in front of the Michigan Central Station. Roosevelt Park received the 2024 President’s award from Keep Michigan Beautiful. And the Hargrove Transit Center received the Best Regional Project from the Engineering News Record.

UAW, Ford make tentative deal 

UAW Local 600’s Tool and Die unit at Ford Motor Company’s River Rouge plant has reached a tentative agreement with the automaker. The union announced Thursday that it secured a deal that will strengthen job security by protecting against the impacts of advancements in 3D printing. The deal also eliminates a wage disparity for skilled trades. Roughly 500 UAW members still need to vote to ratify the deal, which if approved, could set a new standard for skilled trades at Ford, the union said.

“The members at the Rouge Complex understand the power of strength in numbers,” said UAW Vice President Chuck Browning in a statement. “They stuck together and showed Ford that they were willing to stand up if necessary to win what they deserve.”

Detroit Fire hosts leadership roundtable

The Detroit Fire Department held a Fire Leadership Roundtable for departments across metro Detroit and Windsor. The event was designed to build partnerships, discuss best practices and encourage training collaborations and resource sharing between departments. Detroit Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms says the event opened up lines of communication between fire and emergency response departments and helped build strong relationships.

Detroit/Metro Black Tech Talent Survey results

The Detroit Regional Chamber  and Mich Auto are hosting a virtual event at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, to unveil the findings from the Detroit/Metro Black Tech Talent survey conducted this fall. The survey assessed the recruitment and retention of Black tech talent in the city. The chamber will share the results of the survey and moderate a panel of industry leaders and innovators to discuss strategies for building a more inclusive tech ecosystem. Visit the Detroit Regional Chamber website for more information and to register.

‘Girls in the Graveyard’ at Elmwood Cemetery

The Outlier Collective is hosting “Girls in the Graveyard” a celebration of Detroit women at Elmwood Cemetery, on Saturday, Oct. 19. Guests will experience a guided tour of the women buried at the cemetery with Elmwood’s Director of Education Amy Elliot Bragg, followed by treats provided by Sister Pie. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased in advance at Eventbrite.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.