Agency hopes to be Mercado's solution
Santiago Esparza / The Detroit News
DetroitThe Mexicantown International Welcome Center and Mercado, the stalled cultural and business hub that was expected to revitalize the city's southwest side, may get new ownership.
Detroit's Southwest Housing Solutions wants to buy it from Mexicantown Community Development Corp., but doesn't want to absorb its $4 million debt.
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Southwest Housing Solutions said Monday it hopes to incorporate the center into plans to redevelop 20 nearby blocks at the foot the Ambassador Bridge.
"There is some debt that we can't assume," said John Van Camp, president of Southwest Housing Solutions. "If that can go away, we stand prepared. If there are others who can assume the debt, then we will step back and clap."
The agency has completed or is in the process of completing $100 million worth of projects in the city and has demonstrated an ability to get projects built, often without city funding, said Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh.
"That's one of the things I love about Southwest Housing Solutions — they find solutions," Pugh said.
Officials of Mexicantown Community Development Corp., which built the center and mercado, were unavailable for comment Monday.
City planning officials confirmed last week the possible transfer of ownership, but said the matter is under negotiation and nothing has been formalized.
The $17 million welcome center and mercado faced project delays, theft and lawsuits even before it opened in 2007, two years behind schedule.
The nonprofit Mexicantown Community Development Corp. was forced to lay off staff and suspend operations as costs mounted.
It also had difficulty keeping tenants.
Further contributing to its woes, the Michigan Department of Transportation's $250 million Gateway project limited access to the area, officials said.
The Gateway project was completed this year, and a pedestrian bridge that spans Interstate 75 now is directly across from the mercado and welcome center.
sesparza@detnews.com
(313) 222-2320
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