The city of Detroit broke ground this week on the first phase of a new mixed-use housing development in North Corktown.

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The new development, called Preserve on Ash, will bring nearly 600 new and preserved units of affordable housing to Greater Corktown, according to the city, thanks in part to a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“As Detroit comes back, we are building the city in a way that includes Detroiters of all income levels who stayed, rather than pushing them out,” said Mayor Mike Duggan in a statement about the project. “In the past five years, we have invested $1 billion in affordable housing, and the Preserve on Ash marks the beginning of the next $1 billion we will invest into more affordable housing over the next five years.”

The project, led by the nonprofit Community Builders, will include 69 total mixed income housing units across five buildings — 48 of which will be rent and income-restricted for renters. Another 22 units will have project-based vouchers from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority so that the rent payments will be based on household income.

Preserve on Ash phases II and III are expected to start construction next year.

Other headlines for Friday, July 26, 2024:

• More Rite Aid stores are closing in Michigan as the pharmacy chain goes through bankruptcy.
• Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit is holding its fourth annual New Voices: Detroit event from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 2, celebrating a new generation of artists, ambassadors and advocates in Detroit’s arts and culture scene.
• The Paris 2024 Olympics officially began on Friday with the opening ceremony. To celebrate, the Michigan Science Center is hosting an Olympics-themed event for individuals 21 and older called “After Dark: The Mi-Sci Games” from 6 to 11 p.m. this Saturday.

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