Detroit Gratiot Avenue Site Opportunity Study

Mass Economics and Noell Consulting Group teamed to provide recommendations on a potential food-related redevelopment of a 4.4 acre site near Detroit’s Eastern Market. The project team compiled and reviewed data sources and studies; performed a high-level assessment of the real estate market including retail, office, and residential uses; conducted site visits and stakeholder interviews in Detroit; analyzed the Detroit food cluster and determined food-related market opportunities for the site; and identified precedent projects on which to model design, programming, and financing. The phased recommendations included high-density housing units (with a fifth of the units affordable at 80% AMI), a 30,000 sq. ft. food-based vendor hall (with restaurants, food stalls, and retail outlets for Eastern Market foodrelated businesses), a restaurant incubator, and small tenant creative office space (2,000 – 5,000 sq. ft. each). The developer and design team are currently incorporating our recommendations into the project’s planning and design.