Detroit City Council wrapped up its 2025 legislative session by approving a sweeping $3 billion city budget, while also greenlighting tax breaks for a proposed WNBA practice facility along the city’s east riverfront.
The council secured $26 million in changes to Mayor Mike Duggan’s final budget proposal, marking one of the most consequential financial decisions of the year as Detroit prepares for leadership and development shifts ahead.
WNBA Facility Moves Forward — With Conditions
A major highlight of the budget package was the approval of tax incentives for a WNBA practice facility planned for the former Uniroyal site. The riverfront location, long plagued by serious environmental contamination, will use the tax relief to help fund cleanup efforts.
City officials say the site could eventually house Detroit’s incoming WNBA team by 2029, though the timeline remains tight and relatively low-key. A youth sports complex is also planned as part of a second development phase, signaling a broader investment in community recreation.
Detroit Land Bank Authority Secures Temporary Agreement
Another notable development involved the Detroit Land Bank Authority, which finally reached a one-year operating agreement with the city after nearly two years without one — a gap that sparked concern among council members and residents alike.
According to BridgeDetroit, some council members had been “on a mission” to dismantle the organization. While the new agreement brings temporary stability, the Land Bank’s long-term future remains uncertain.
A Pivotal Year at City Hall
Beyond budget approvals, the 2025 council session included:
Passage of new local laws
Appointments to key city positions
Regular engagement with resident concerns
Oversight of a mayoral election that resulted in Mary Sheffield defeating Duggan, signaling a potential shift in Detroit’s political priorities
Throughout the year, BridgeDetroit provided extensive coverage of weekly council sessions and hosted community forums with mayoral candidates through Detroit Next, a civic news program produced in partnership with Detroit Is Different.
As Detroit looks toward 2026 and beyond, the decisions made this year — from women’s sports investments to land-use governance — may shape the city’s futu
re for decades.
