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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 

December 17, 2025    

Contact: [email protected]   <[email protected]> 

 

*Gov. Whitmer Announces 23 New Apartments and Commercial Space in Detroit, Mason* 

 

*LANSING, Mich.*: Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced two redevelopment projects receiving support from the bipartisan Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) program, creating 23 new apartments and commercial space in Detroit and Mason. Together, the projects will generate a total capital investment of over $8.7 million in the state while activating vacant properties and increasing community vibrancy. 

 

The RAP program provides access to gap financing for place-based infrastructure development and real estate rehabilitation and development.  

 

“Michigan is on the move and open for business, and these 23 new apartments will create good-paying jobs and more vibrant communities across our state,” said *Governor Whitmer*. “Programs like RAP help to create vibrant places that attract and retain talented workers, grow small businesses, add new housing options, and more. Let’s keep working together to make Michigan the best place to live, work, and raise a family.” 

 

“On behalf of the MEDC, we are pleased to work with communities across Michigan and invest in their resilience through the RAP program as part of our placemaking efforts in support of the state’s ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy,” said the *MEDC’s SVP of Community Planning and Development Readiness Michele Wildman*. “We look forward to seeing how these projects bring new housing and recreational opportunities for the downtowns of Detroit and Mason.” 

 

In the *City of Detroit*, a new, mixed-use development will be constructed on vacant property in the city’s historic North Corktown neighborhood, creating 21 residential apartments, 19 parking spaces, and nearly 2,686 square feet of commercial space. Of the rental apartments, approximately 30% will be affordable and at or below 80% AMI, providing additional housing options for residents in this growing commercial corridor. 

 

The project is being awarded a $1.5 million RAP grant to support the cost of the new construction on the site and is expected to bring a total capital investment of $7,624,942. The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation is also supporting the project with a $530,000 low interest loan and the city has approved a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone abatement with an estimated value of $731,128. 

This project is being led by co-developers Sean Tidwell and Anthony Askew. Tidwell and Askew are graduates of the Equitable Development Initiative program through Capital Impact Partners, a program that identifies and supports emerging developers through a rigorous training course and mentorship with experienced developers in the Detroit community. 

 

“This development is only possible because of the support of great partners like MEDC, DEGC, and LISC working together,” said *co-developer Anthony Askew*. “That kind of collaboration is essential to support community-centered developers who are committed to building Detroit's neighborhoods.” 

 

“We are focused on developing the high-quality, impactful projects that our neighborhoods deserve,” added *co-developer Sean Tidwell*. “As native Detroiters, we are proud to build in Detroit and contribute to the city's future." 

 

“North Corktown is getting what it needs, homes people can afford and space where residents can purchase goods locally,” said *David Laurence Howell, DEGC vice president of Real Estate Services*. “Thirty percent of these homes will be affordable for everyday Detroiters, while the ground-floor commercial space gives them a shot at entrepreneurship. Sean and Anthony prove that when you invest in local talent, you get developments that serve the community.” 

 

In the *City of Mason*, a functionally obsolete two-story building will be redeveloped to create two apartments and 2,456 square feet of commercial space within the downtown historic business district, contributing to the city’s vibrancy. 

 

The project is being supported by a $550,000 RAP grant to assist with redevelopment costs of the former mixed-use building on the site and is expected to bring a total capital investment of $1,139,400. The project has also received approval for a façade grant in the amount of up to $30,000 from the City of Mason's Downtown Development Authority. 

 

Developers Joni and Mark Preston are new to real estate development and have partnered with pre-development consulting film Revitalize, LLC to receive guidance and oversight of the project. 

 

“The 344 S. Jefferson project is about more than restoring a historic building—it’s about strengthening the heart of downtown Mason, honoring its history while investing in its future,” said *developers* *Joni and Mark Preston*. “This project allows us to engage even more deeply in the community we love. Preserving this space not only revitalizes downtown but also allows me to work in the community I serve, bringing new clients, energy, and long-term value to our local businesses and neighbors.” 

 

“MEDC’s support for projects like this in Downtown Mason demonstrates how strategic investment can meaningfully impact rural communities by filling project gaps and empowering residents committed to improving the place they call home,” said *Deborah Stuart, city manager for the City of Mason*. “The success of Mason—and communities throughout Michigan—depends on programs like this to make it possible!” 

  

Since its launch in 2022, the Revitalization and Placemaking program has supported 251 total projects in communities across the state.  

 

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