Harper Woods nears 'Redevelopment Ready' mark as MEDC outlines funding, technical help

Harper Woods is approaching full alignment with Michigan’s Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) toolkit, a state official told the city council, a step city staff and developers said could speed private investment along priority corridors.

"We recently pulled data that it takes on average five to seven years for a community to get designated. You guys are on track," Stephanie Pena, senior community planner with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, said during a council presentation. She reported the city’s alignment rose 10 percentage points in about two weeks and now stands at 82 percent.

The RRC program provides volunteer technical assistance and a set of five best practices intended to modernize zoning, planning and development review. Pena said Harper Woods received about $40,000 in technical-assistance funding over the past four years and that designation would make the city eligible for $50,000 over five years, access to MEDC’s specialized redevelopment services team and priority access to programs such as Match on Main, a small-business technical-assistance opportunity.

Irma Hayes, deputy director of the city’s Economic and Community Development department, told the council the 2023 master plan prepared by McKenna guides the work and highlights Kelly Road and community facilities as priority redevelopment areas. Hayes said the department focuses on growing and stabilizing the tax base, supporting existing businesses, guiding redevelopment and securing grants to reduce pressure on the general fund.

Developers and staff said those efforts are already producing projects. Hayes noted Northpointe’s Buildings 1 and 2 are fully leased, with about 44,555 square feet still available in Building 3. Shanna Morgan of Renovari Development and partner Jack Flynn of Robertson Brothers told council a model home at the Frasier Square project is open, multiple units are under purchase agreement and first deliveries are expected in March.

Council members asked about next steps, cross‑departmental coordination and how the council can support the remaining items needed for full RRC certification. Pena recommended continued department-level coordination and offered MEDC resources and assistance for implementation.

Next steps: staff and MEDC will continue working through the final best practices and the council may convene department-level meetings to address outstanding items ahead of full designation.