Detroit City Council delays ARPA spending

May 28, 2025

Detroit City Council has postponed a decision on a $410,000 demolition contract for a historic building at 17205 Lahser Rd to explore preservation possibilities, despite safety concerns about the structure's condition. The demolition would be funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, but preservation would require finding alternative funding sources since ARPA funds are subject to federal deadlines. Additionally, the Council delayed a resolution to allocate $9.

Who is affected

Detroit residents, particularly those in specific council districts who would benefit from the $9.4 million ARPA-funded programs
Residents near 17205 Lahser Rd (former Redford Printing Co. building)
Seniors and disabled residents in District 3 (targeted for home repairs)
Residents impacted by the June 2021 floods (Private Sewer Repair Program)
Youth who would benefit from Grow Detroit's Young Talent program
Residents of neighborhoods with parks slated for upgrades (Comstock and Peterson parks)

What action is being taken

The City Council is postponing decisions on both the $410,000 demolition contract and the $9.4 million ARPA fund allocation
The demolition of the historic building at 17205 Lahser Rd remains on hold while preservation options are explored
Council members are attending the Mackinac Policy Conference
BridgeDetroit is covering the council proceedings and conducting candidate interviews for their "Detroit Next" talk show

Why it matters

The decisions involve significant federal funding ($410,000 for demolition and $9.4 million in remaining ARPA funds) that must be allocated before December 2024 federal deadlines
The historic building represents a preservation versus demolition dilemma, balancing heritage preservation against safety concerns and financial constraints
The ARPA fund allocation would impact multiple community programs across all council districts including violence prevention, mental health services, home repairs, and youth employment
These funding decisions affect various vulnerable populations including seniors, disabled residents, and youth

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com