On August 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan, the East Jefferson Development Corporation (EJDevCO)—a wholly owned subsidiary of Jefferson East Inc. (JEI)—was joined by Mayor Mike Duggan, community leaders and representatives from both the Kresge Foundation and the Enterprise Community Loan Fund to celebrate the renovation and reopening of two historic apartment buildings on Marlborough Street.
The project is part of the Strategic Neighborhood Fund Initiative, a partnership between the City of Detroit and Invest Detroit. The completion of 910 Marlborough introduces additional affordable and market-rate housing in the historic Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood and brings new life to the long-vacant buildings, one of which has stood empty for some 40 years.
Located at 910 (South) and 1031 (North) Marlborough, the apartment buildings will feature 23 multi-family housing units, with 13 reserved at deeply affordable housing rates between 50% and 60% area median income (AMI).
The project was designed to offer Detroiters options, with floor plans offering one-, two- and three-bedrooms. All units, which range in size from 656 to 931 square feet, include modern kitchens and bathrooms and in-unit washers and dryers. Apartments are currently available for lease at Marlborough South, while Marlborough North is slated to open this October.
“We have heard from residents about the critical need for quality affordable housing,” said Joshua Elling, CEO of JEI and interim CEO of EJDevCo. “With the launch of Marlborough South, we are bringing online critical housing options and deeply affordable housing at a time when they are needed most.”
Located at 910 (pictured) and 1031 Marlborough, the apartment buildings will feature 13 units at deeply affordable housing rates between 50% and 60% area median income
Situated in Detroit’s beloved Jefferson Chalmers Neighborhood, 910 Marlborough is steps from the historic commercial corridor and locally owned eateries, such as Norma G’s and Yellow Light, a few blocks from the Detroit riverfront and A.B. Ford Park—which itself is getting a dramatic makeover and new community center as part of the Strategic Neighborhood Fund—and just 10 minutes from downtown Detroit and Eastern Market.
The redevelopment of the Marlborough buildings further preserves the historic character of the neighborhood while attracting new residents, providing new affordable housing options, and increasing economic activity in the community.
“This great project combines two of our highest city priorities – creating more affordable housing and replacing blight with beauty,” Mayor Mike Duggan said. “Here’s a building that has sat vacant for 40 years. Not only has it been beautifully renovated, it will bring deeply affordable housing to the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood as it continues to rise.”
Last month, Mayor Duggan and Councilmembers Mary Waters, Latisha Johnson and Angela Calloway laid out a $203 million plan to create more affordable housing in the city and increase homeownership.
“I’d like to thank JEI and EJDevCo for sharing our goal of creating more deeply affordable housing in neighborhoods across Detroit,” Mayor Duggan added.
The historic Marlborough buildings were constructed in 1927, though vacant for decades. EJDevCo purchased the buildings in 2018 and has spent more than $7.1 million to bring them back to life, thanks to support from the City of Detroit’s Housing & Revitalization Department, Twain Financial, Enterprise Community Loan Fund, the Kresge Foundation and the Ford Foundation. West Construction has served as the general contractor.
Other improvements coming to Jefferson Chalmers as part of the Strategic Neighborhood Fund include a new streetscape along East Jefferson and more support for the rehab of vacant commercial buildings and turning them into small businesses for residents to enjoy. In December, JEI celebrated the rehab of an old Kresge 5-and-dime store into a Neighborhood Resource Hub through the SNF.
The City of Detroit committed $2.5 million toward the redevelopment in federal HOME funding and $1.4 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). Twain Financial contributed $819,000 through Historic Tax Credit equity, which is designed to encourage the preservation, rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of historically significant buildings.
Enterprise Community Partners committed more than $1.6 million in project financing through its Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Enterprise Community Loan Fund, one of the largest nonprofit CDFIs in the country.
“The redevelopment of the Marlborough buildings will bring critically needed affordable homes to Detroit,” noted Enterprise Vice President and Midwestern Market Leader Melinda Clemons. “We are excited to partner with East Jefferson Development Corporation, an organization with deep roots in Detroit and a unique understanding of community needs.”
EJDevCo and JEI hosted a community open house for Marlborough South on Wednesday to provide residents with a sneak peek at the new space. Members of the JEI and EJDevCo teams, as well as property manager Reserve Management Company, were available to answer questions, sign residents up for apartments and provide tours. Individuals interested in renting a unit should contact the leasing manager Suite Properties by calling 313-962-1800 and selecting option 3 or visiting www.rentwithsuite.com.
Together, EJDevCo and JEI work collaboratively with the community to drive socially, economically and environmentally sustainable developments that benefit residents and business owners.
EJDevCo is driven by its Inclusive Neighborhood Development Principles to ensure projects are equitable and that profits are invested back into the community. Projects spearheaded by EJDevCo and JEI include the rehab of the Kresge store into JEI’s Neighborhood Resource Hub, the Vanity Ballroom, Norma G’s and the Old Schwinn Bike Shop, among others.
All images courtesy of East Jefferson Development Corporation.