Jefferson East Inc., a community-based neighborhood nonprofit, and Shelborne Development say they will breathe new life into two long-vacant buildings on Marlborough Street in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood with a $5.4 million redevelopment project that is expected to be finished by next fall.
The project will add 23 new residential units to the neighborhood, more than half of which will be available for approximately $800 a month for residents making about $30,000 or less per year.
JEI’s development subsidiary EJDevCo and Shelborne Development are partnering with the City of Detroit to rehabilitate the 5,619-square-foot Marlborough Building, just north of Jefferson, and the 3,920-square-foot IDAO Building, just south of Jefferson.
The project comes as the city continues its neighborhood planning effort in Jefferson Chalmers, which is one of 10 Strategic Neighborhood Fund areas. Led by the city’s Planning and Development Department and the Department of Neighborhoods, the effort gathers residents’ feedback and will create a plan for physical improvements in the area in partnership with the neighborhood.
“JEI has been focused on preventing displacement by creating inclusive development opportunities that benefit the neighborhood’s residents and businesses,” says Josh Elling, CEO of JEI. “Through JEI’s collaborative partnership with Shelborne Development, combined with the support of the City, we are excited to deliver on a need residents have expressed to us throughout the years. There is a waiting list for affordable, multi-family units in the neighborhood.”
The work follows the announcement of $35 million in donations from seven corporate partners to the Strategic Neighborhood Fund to support parks, streetscapes, single-family housing, commercial corridor development, and affordable housing.
The Marlborough Building was built in 1927 and has been vacant for more than 30 years. Once complete, the it will provide 15 new units of housing for residents at a range of incomes.
The long vacant IDAO Building, also constructed in 1927, will add eight new units of housing when the development is complete.
“We are proud to continue our deep long-term commitment to revitalizing the neighborhoods of Detroit through the development of beautiful historic buildings such as these,” says Kathy Makino-Leipsitz, owner of Shelborne Development. “Our team is dedicated to strengthening communities by creating quality housing options and community-centered retail and commercial spaces.”
