By Teresa Reneice Davis

DETROIT — On April 13, 2026, a clear message echoed through the halls of the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA): Community voice still carries weight in the City of Detroit. In a decisive 5-to-2 vote, the BZA denied the dimensional variance for the proposed Butzel project, acknowledging the laundry list of criteria conflicts and the overwhelming opposition from the people who actually live, work, and grow in this neighborhood.
This wasn't just a win for zoning logic; it was a win for the soul of the Butzel Community. While we celebrate this win, the fight is far from over. The City’s Request for Proposal (RFP) for this site still looms, and we must be direct: We do not want this private project on our community center Sacred Grounds!

More Than Asphalt: A Lifeline for Generations

To a developer, the Butzel Center parking lot is a blank canvas for a four-story private monolith. To us, it is a lifeline. It is the point of access for our seniors who rely on the center’s services to stay connected and healthy. It is the safe harbor for our youth. When we talk about "sacred ground," we aren't being hyperbolic. We are talking about the few remaining public spaces where community intent outweighs private profit. Turning this vital asset into a private development isn't "revitalization"—it is displacement by design.

"We are being asked to move from the front of the house to the back. We are being asked to sacrifice our visibility, our access, and our history for a project with no obligation to the people who live here."

The Ghost of "Beautiful Plans"

We have seen the glossy renderings before—vibrant storefronts and "mixed-use" promises. But one only needs to walk past the unoccupied structures on Van Dyke or the struggling spaces on Townsend to see the reality. Once the ribbon is cut and the land is transferred to private hands, the developers often vanish.

This project offers our community:

No Partnership: No formal link to the Butzel Center.
No Programming: No support for the youth and seniors who are the heartbeat of the center.
No Solution: No plan for the parking crisis that will inevitably follow.

A Call to Leadership: Rescind the RFP

The BZA’s denial has proven that this project is legally and practically unworkable. Now, the ball is in the court of Mayor Sheffield, the City Council, and the Housing & Revitalization Department.

We are calling on city leadership to take three immediate steps:

Withdraw the Butzel Infill RFP:

 It is illogical to bid out a project that violates the city's own zoning laws.
Protect Public Land: Ensure that any development at Butzel aligns with the center’s actual purpose: serving the people.

Respect Community Rights:

Acknowledge that our community is organized, informed, and steadfast.

This victory at the BZA was a landmark moment, but the fight isn't over until the City of Detroit acknowledges that our community center is not for sale.