The site, which is estimated to stretch 2.8 acres of DDA-owned property near the intersection of Michigan and Grand River avenues, ideally would serve as a multipurpose community center that celebrates the cultural and economic aspects to the area, according to city outlines for the space.

So far, about a dozen developers have submitted proposals, Planning and Community Development Director Tim Dempsey said.

Proposals will be accepted through Feb. 7, 2013, after which city leaders will make a decision.
“We want to have a project that is very well connected to the rest of the downtown, complete with pedestrian and bike access,” Dempsey said. “We want to have a project that … includes multiple uses (such as) residential, retail and maybe even office use.”

Potential developers are required to submit a proposed conceptual development program, detailing their proposed project decisions, which later will be reviewed by representatives from the city and DDA, according to the proposal.

Formulating a plan that satisfies the needs of both the city and its residents is a challenge, according to Mark Wilson, associate director for the School of Planning, Design and Construction, community input is an essential component to the development process.

“Community participation is always a central part to any urban planning initiative,” he said. “The people doing the planning see public participation as being very important.”