The City of Detroit is advancing several sports-related developments following Detroit City Council approval, including a stadium for Detroit City Football Club (DCFC) and a practice facility for a WNBA team. The $198 million DCFC project will include a 15,000-seat stadium named AlumniFi Field, a 421-space parking deck, and a 76-unit affordable housing apartment building at the former Southwest Detroit Hospital site.
According to D Business, the council approved development incentives, including $74.2 million in brownfield tax capture to cover the costs of demolishing the old hospital, environmental cleanup, and construction of the parking and housing units. The approval aligns with a community benefits agreement, as reported by dbusiness, which includes contributions exceeding $2 million, a $17-an-hour minimum wage for stadium employees, priority hiring for local residents, and investment in community projects such as a new youth soccer field.
Sean Mann, CEO of Detroit City FC, noted that the City Council’s approval is a key step toward building a professional venue for the club and the community, according to dbusiness. He added that the community benefits agreement enables the club to work with local residents and leaders to address neighborhood needs. Demolition of the former hospital is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, with the stadium expected to open in time for the 2027 DCFC season.
Bridge Detroit reported that the WNBA practice facility is part of a $50 million project approved by the council, which also includes a future youth development academy and outdoor athletic fields. The project was not subject to the full community benefits agreement process because it is classified as a Tier 2 development, an exemption that has raised discussion about the effectiveness of the current ordinance. Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero noted that benefits agreements sometimes fall short of resident expectations and suggested that an arena tax could be a way to generate revenue for community investments.
The Detroit City FC project includes $88 million in tax incentives, along with a $12 million exemption in addition to previously approved tax breaks. The project plans also feature art installations and cultural programs reflecting the area’s heritage. Local business owner Andrey Douthard noted that the club has grown from a neighborhood organization into a professional entity while continuing to engage in community development.
