DETROIT (WWJ) – Billionaire Dan Gilbert and his umbrella of companies have been working on the redevelopment of the Hudson’s site on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit since 2017.
It’s a project that will reshape the Detroit skyline; you could say that 714-foot skyscraper will be the crown jewel of the skyline when it’s complete. It’s also a project that’s already collected hundreds of millions of dollars in tax incentives.
But today, Gilbert asked Detroit City Council for $60 million in additional tax breaks. Is it right for Gilbert to be asking the city for this break, considering he donated to several councilmembers’ campaigns? WWJ’s Zach Clark digs in, in a new edition of The Daily J podcast.
Prior to Tuesday’s City Council meeting, The Detroit Free Press published a story detailing his campaign contributions, including a total of $17,500 to Council President Pro Tem James Tate and District 4 Councilwoman Latisha Johnson, who just last week recommended approval of Gilbert’s request.
This edition of The Daily J dives into the ethics of Gilbert’s latest request, how the tax abatements would work, and what lies ahead for the Hudson’s site project.
The city council on Tuesday ultimately postponed the vote after significant pushback from the community, as well as some councilmembers. It’s not clear whether the project would be halted if the council does not approve the tax abatements.
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