Water Street Ad Hoc Committee & City Council Joint Futuring Meeting

The City of Ypsilanti held a joint Water Street Ad Hoc Committee and City Council futuring meeting on May 7, 2026, focused on visioning and planning for the redevelopment of the 38-acre Water Street public land parcel adjacent to downtown. The meeting included public comments emphasizing the importance of affordable housing, community inclusion, and honoring the indigenous history of the land. City staff provided a historical overview of the site, including past environmental remediation efforts and development proposals. The committee discussed the upcoming release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit developer proposals, with an emphasis on mixed-use development that creates taxable value, incorporates native plant species, and respects the heritage of the indigenous peoples. The meeting also involved a facilitated visioning exercise to imagine the future of Water Street 100 years from now, focusing on sustainability, community, and inclusivity. The committee will meet at least six times before August 2026 to finalize the RFQ and review developer submissions, ultimately making recommendations to the City Council. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were made during this session, but the RFQ process and community engagement were key procurement-related topics discussed.