Two-acre site presents opportunity along the Joe Louis Greenway in Eastern Market
DETROIT — Eastern Market Development Corporation (EMDC), in partnership with Invest Detroit, today announced the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking a developer to lead the redevelopment of a two-acre site encompassing 3410 and 3450 Orleans in the Eastern Market District. Located adjacent to the Dequindre Cut, the long-vacant site is envisioned for mixed-use development.
“This site presents an opportunity to bring new housing and activity to an important connection between Eastern Market, the Dequindre Cut and the broader Joe Louis Greenway,” said Sarah Pavelko, EMDC Executive Director. “We’re looking for an experienced development partner who understands the character of Eastern Market and can bring forward a thoughtful project vision that reflects the priorities identified for this area.”
Planning priorities for the site include mixed-income housing, recreational connections to the Dequindre Cut and activation of the Dequindre Cut. Future development should also be designed to complement the surrounding area, including the adjacent Keep Growing Detroit market garden.
The property is zoned SD2, which supports a mix of residential, retail and commercial uses and is designed to encourage pedestrian- and transit-oriented development.
EMDC and Invest Detroit acquired the site with grant funding from Gilbert Family Foundation. In 2023, Gilbert Family Foundation committed $15 million to the Unified Greenway Campaign, including a $10 million gift to the campaign itself and $5 million to support economic growth for long-time Detroit residents.
EMDC and Invest Detroit are seeking development teams with experience completing and stabilizing projects of similar scale and experience securing project financing. Respondents will also be asked to provide a preliminary vision for the site addressing site activation, connections to the Dequindre Cut and adjacent Keep Growing Detroit market garden and housing priorities.
Responses to the RFQ are due by Dec. 7. Qualified developers interested in submitting responses can access the full RFQ here or contact Sarah Pavelko at spavelko@easternmarket.org for additional information.
###
About Eastern Market Development Corporation
Eastern Market Development Corporation (EMDC) is a community-based non-profit development entity established to ensure that the Eastern Market District remains an authentic and diverse place for all businesses, residents and visitors. EMDC engages in commercial and mixed-use (mixed-income housing, retail, industrial) development projects in collaboration with private and philanthropic partners, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Eastern Market Partnership. Since 2006, Eastern Market Partnership has managed the public market district under an agreement with the City of Detroit, investing approximately $25 million in improvements and renovations throughout the market campus. These investments include the renovation of the iconic Sheds 2, 3, and 5, which expanded year-round opportunities for vendors and visitors.
About Invest Detroit
Invest Detroit is a nonprofit lender, investor, and partner that supports business and real estate projects that will ignite economic growth in Detroit and support inclusive growth of entrepreneurial ventures across the state. Our goal is to help create a thriving city that works for all Detroiters with an improved quality of life–inclusive housing, resourced and walkable neighborhoods, and equal opportunities for jobs and business growth; and scale promising early-stage ventures into thriving companies that help support the state’s economy, provide jobs to local talent, and bolster Michigan’s growing startup community. Learn more at www.InvestDetroit.com.