Industrial project for Detroit’s west side gains zoning, remediation approvals

June 1, 2026

The Detroit City Council has approved zoning changes and a brownfield redevelopment plan for Junction McGraw, a $62 million warehouse project on Detroit's west side spanning 30 acres and 400,000 square feet. The development team, comprising Ashley Capital and prominent Detroit business leaders through the Latimer Group, significantly revised their initial proposal after conducting 15 community engagement sessions, reducing the building size by 20% and adding green spaces, pedestrian walkways, and infrastructure improvements. The project will create approximately 400 unionized jobs paying around $58,000 annually, with hiring priority given to Detroit residents, particularly those in the surrounding neighborhood.

Who is affected

Detroit residents, particularly those in the District 6 neighborhood surrounding the project site between McGraw Avenue, Warren Avenue, I-94 and 35th Street
Approximately 400 future employees who will be hired for the facility, with priority for Detroit residents
The Latimer Ashley Development Group LLC (developers), including Ashley Capital and Latimer Group members: Hiram Jackson, Carla Walker-Miller, Dennis Archer Jr., and Sonya Mays
Detroit City Council, particularly District 6 Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC)
Detroit Land Bank Authority (owns 103 of 145 parcels)
Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
Students walking to school who will use the new pedestrian walkway
A yet-to-be-designated nonprofit that will receive the rehabilitated pharmacy building

What action is being taken

The Detroit City Council has authorized the rezoning and brownfield redevelopment plan
The development team is conducting community engagement (15 meetings have been held since September)
Developers are finalizing a development agreement that memorializes promises to the community
The old pharmacy building at 4765 W. Warren Avenue is being rehabilitated and used during warehouse construction
The DEGC is supporting the project and addressing community questions about contaminated soil handling

Why it matters

This project represents significant investment in Detroit's west side, transforming a blighted 30-acre site containing 103 Land Bank-owned parcels into productive industrial use while creating 400 living-wage union jobs accessible to neighborhood residents. The extensive community engagement process and resulting design changes demonstrate a model for balancing industrial development with neighborhood concerns, including environmental safety, pedestrian infrastructure, and protection against unwanted uses like ICE detention facilities. The brownfield remediation will address environmental contamination while the tax increment financing structure allows the city to facilitate development without providing direct incentives beyond recouping remediation costs. The project also includes community benefits not typically required, such as dedicating three acres for future neighborhood-serving commercial development and donating a rehabilitated building to a nonprofit organization.

What's next

Finalize the development agreement to memorialize promises with the community
Complete the sale and transfer of certain parcels in the project footprint
Identify a tenant for the warehouse facility
Begin construction in spring 2027
Complete the project in early 2028
Upon completion, donate the rehabilitated pharmacy building to a designated nonprofit group
Install new infrastructure including a route connecting Warren Avenue to the north side of I-94, a traffic signal at Warren and 31st Street, and reconnection of the Junction Avenue Bridge to Warren Avenue
Develop the three-acre site for neighborhood-informed commercial or residential use (ideally retail or grocery)

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com