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DEGC Seeks Proposals For Lafayette Towers

DETROIT -- The Detroit Economic Growth Corp. is requesting proposals for a qualified developer to buy and renovate the Lafayette Towers near downtown Detroit.

The DEGC is acting on behalf of the towers' current -- and, it's hoped, temporary -- owners, the city of Detroit.

The twin, 22-story towers located at 1301 and 1321 Orleans St. were designed by Van der Rohe and completed in 1963. They were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. The complex is comprised of 584 units of market-rate housing along with a fitness center, laundry room, community space, pool and garage.

Said George W. Jackson, Jr., president and CEO of DEGC: "It's a great opportunity for a developer that recognizes the momentum we have in Detroit and can move quickly with a solid financial package."

The complex is available because the City of Detroit has agreed to purchase it through the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development in a foreclosure action. DEGC said it anticipates the sale to the City will close in mid-November, with a simultaneous closing of the sale to the entity selected.

HUD is requiring the purchaser to make a minimum level of repairs to the property, which it estimates will cost approximately $10 million and must be completed within 18 months of closing. The city is requiring a minimum bid of $5,849,330, and other conditions also apply.

DEGC has scheduled a pre-submittal meeting at 10 a.m. Oct. 10 at its offices in the Guardian Building, 500 Griswold, Suite 2200, Detroit, anbd the proposal is due at 5 p.m. Oct. 17. The complete request for proposals can be downloaded at www.degc.org/news.aspx/developers-sought-for-the-redevelopment-of-lafayette-towers

Questions must be submitted via e-mail to tdsmith@degc.org no later than five business days prior to the submission deadline.

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