Detroit Economic Growth Corp seeks developer for 22 acres at former Rogell GC

**Airforceguy** · April-15-25, 09:49 PM

Rare site at former Detroit golf course seeks developers

By Kirk Pinho

The DEGC is seeking a developer to build on more than 22 acres of the roughly 120-acre former course off of West Seven Mile Road between Lahser and Berg roads. The remainder of the site is being converted into a roughly 98-acre park.

It is pretty open-minded on what could go on the smaller parcel, although the RFP says “institutional, healthcare, educational, mixed-use, retail, housing, recreational and other uses that align with the city’s economic development goals for the immediate area” all fit the bill. That's by design, said David Howell, vice president of real estate and development services for the DEGC.

"We did leave it broad. We want to cast the broadest net to get as many good, solid proposals as possible," Howell said.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-e...ment-proposals

**softailrider** · April-16-25, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Airforceguy

Rare site at former Detroit golf course seeks developers

By Kirk Pinho

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-e...ment-proposals

I believe Rogell, was at one time a private course before it became Redford Golf Course. A beautiful layout right in the city. Justice was never done to it after the city took it over, American Golf ran it for a while, and they did a good job. It's a shame the way it was abandoned. Golf has skyrocketed in popularity; Rouge Park is in great shape and very busy, as are all the public courses in the area.

**Meddle** · April-17-25, 04:58 PM

There's like a billion acres of derelict buildings around the city. 'Develop' those and leave the greenspaces. They could put up a few facilities type buildings here, outdoor sports places, maybe a similar effort to Rouge Park.

**Meddle** · April-17-25, 05:13 PM

These threads tend to get me toolin' around streeview to checkout the areas.

On topic, I could see developing a strip along Seven Mile, or maybe the west side of Berg Rd.

Running up and down those streets, there are some pretty nice houses that seem well kept.

Off topic, what is the The 'Edward J Bench House' at Roxford and Northrop?

Edit, found this: https://www.oconnordetroit.com/prope...oxford-street/

$400,000.00 ??

This one says $550,000.00

https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/c...35829/36068909

**56packman** · April-17-25, 09:02 PM

Right now it's a beautiful nature preserve. I drove south on Burt the other day and saw an four point Buck, a huge Tom Turkey and a Canadian Goose all in the same area.

**djtomt** · April-18-25, 01:57 AM

Instead of using valuable riverfront land, maybe that proposed sports/soccer complex for the area right by Belle Isle could go here? Just a thought. Not sure how viable it is.

**401don** · April-18-25, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by softailrider

Golf has skyrocketed in popularity;

Golf has been on a decline for about 15 years, due to cost, overbuilding of courses, millenials not as interested, etc. It's seen a little resurgence since covid but overall is still on the decline.

**K-slice** · April-18-25, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by djtomt

Instead of using valuable riverfront land, maybe that proposed sports/soccer complex for the area right by Belle Isle could go here? Just a thought. Not sure how viable it is.

This was my first thought. There is absolutely no purpose for soccer fields to be built on the river. Build the mixed-use development on the river and the soccer fields here, it makes more sense in EVERY conceivable way.

We all know that the soccer/WNBA proposal is just a land grab though and those involved are far more interested in getting control of that valuable piece of riverfront than actually providing the things they say they want to build.

**Meddle** · April-18-25, 03:07 PM

Seven/Berg is mostly residential and light retail. An athletic/recreational field for residents would be fine. A sports venue? No.

**K-slice** · April-18-25, 03:50 PM

The proposal isn't for a venue, it's for a practice facility that would not be out of place on 7 Mile.

**401don** · April-18-25, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by K-slice

The proposal isn't for a venue, it's for a practice facility that would not be out of place on 7 Mile.

They would want any WNBA practice facility very close to downtown and the soccer fields also because they want to hold kids tournaments that would book the hotels and they would shuttle parents and kids to the facility.