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Detroit issues permit for 32-unit North Corktown townhouse

Detroit issues permit for 32-unit North Corktown townhouse

Built World Detroit, MI local

The 32 units are part of Preserve on Ash III, a 60-unit income-restricted project in North Corktown

October 19th, 2026: Permit issued for 32-unit townhouse

Overview

Updated Oct 24

Detroit issued a $2.2 million building permit on October 19 for a three-story, 32-unit building at 3075 16th Street in North Corktown. The building is part of Preserve on Ash III, a 60-unit income-restricted project that pairs apartment buildings with eight townhomes on 14th, 15th and 16th streets.

A second permit issued the same day covers the eight townhomes, at 3106 15th Street, at an estimated $2.3 million. A 2025 funding notice said state and city housing agencies intended to back the project with up to 21 rental vouchers, $2.4 million in city HOME funds and $3.9 million in Choice Neighborhoods money. The units count toward Mayor Mary Sheffield's first-term goal of 1,000 new homes.

Why it matters

The permit turns city-owned North Corktown parcels into 60 income-restricted homes, a test of Detroit's faster-permitting push.

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Key Indicators

$2.2M
Contractor's estimated construction cost
Cost estimate for Phase III, Building B at 3075 16th St
32
Residential units in the building
Nineteen one-bedroom and thirteen two-bedroom units
60
Units in Preserve on Ash III
52 apartments and eight townhomes, all income-restricted
1,000
Mayor's first-term new-home goal
Sheffield's target for new Detroit homes

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People Involved

Mary Sheffield
Mary Sheffield
Mayor of Detroit
In office, pushing housing construction
 David Bell
David Bell
Director, Detroit Buildings Safety Engineering and Environmental Department
Re-appointed, leading permitting reforms

Organizations Involved

Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department
Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department
Municipal department
Issues building permits and inspects construction in Detroit

BSEED is the City of Detroit department responsible for issuing building permits and inspecting construction.

Timeline

2025 October 2026

3 events Latest: October 19th, 2026 · 3 weeks ago

  1. Permit issued for 32-unit townhouse

    Latest Permit

    Detroit issues BLD2025-00654 for 3075 16th St, a 32-unit multi-family dwelling.

  2. Funding notice filed for Preserve on Ash III

    Funding

    The state housing authority and Detroit told federal officials they intended to request release of funds for 60 affordable units in North Corktown: up to 21 project-based vouchers, $2,365,488 in city HOME funds and $3,884,512 in Choice Neighborhoods money.

  3. Zoning reforms recommended

    Policy

    Detroit City Planning Commission recommends zoning changes to ease housing construction.

Scenarios

1

3075 16th St reaches occupancy

Possible Resolves by Oct 19, 2028

Discussed by: Construction observers tracking Detroit's housing push

The 32-unit building completes construction and receives a certificate of occupancy from BSEED. The developer finishes Phase III of the townhouse development, adding housing supply in North Corktown.

2

Construction stalls at 3075 16th St

Possible Resolves by Oct 19, 2028

Discussed by: Developers familiar with Detroit permitting

Construction fails to start or halts partway, and the project never reaches completion. Detroit has seen permitted projects stall amid funding shortfalls or contractor issues.

3

Detroit hits 1,000-home goal

Possible Resolves by End of 2029

Discussed by: Mayor Sheffield's administration

Detroit reaches its first-term goal of 1,000 new homes, with this and other projects contributing. The city reports the milestone through official announcements.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2025

Michigan's housing affordability decline

Michigan used to build much more housing than it does today and was known for affordable housing. The state has fallen to 33rd in housing affordability and faces a shortage that has driven up prices.

Then

Housing costs rose across the state.

Now

Construction and zoning reform became priorities for state and local leaders.

Why this matters now

This shortage is the backdrop for Detroit's push to build more homes and reform its permitting process.

Past decades

Detroit's zoning restrictions over decades

Detroit's zoning ordinance evolved over time, mostly by becoming more restrictive. Much of the city's current housing stock would likely be illegal to build under newer zoning rules.

Then

Construction became harder in the city.

Now

Detroit's housing inventory stayed low even as the city lost population.

Why this matters now

Proposed zoning reforms aim to reverse this restriction trend by allowing more units per lot and cutting parking mandates.

Sources

(4)
City of Detroit Mackinac Center for Public Policy WXYZ Detroit City of Detroit