Dexter DDA Approves Deal for Long-Stalled Broad Street Property

After more than a decade of false starts, the long-vacant 3045 Broad St. property in downtown Dexter is once again moving toward redevelopment, this time with a formally approved agreement in place.

The Dexter Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has approved a purchase and sales agreement with the Ferlito Group, marking the most significant step forward yet for a site that has long frustrated city leaders and developers alike.

Under the approved agreement, the DDA will sell a collection of five parcels along Broad and Forest streets for $1.39 million, with plans for a mixed-use development that includes both residential and commercial space. The project is intended to bring new housing and business activity to the downtown.

Developer’s Vision for the Site

The Ferlito Group’s proposal outlines a mixed-use development designed to bring new housing, retail, and public amenities to the Broad Street area.

The plan includes two four-story buildings with ground-floor retail space and apartments above, along with seven three-story townhomes. In total, the development would add 139 residential units, including a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments.

Commercial space is also a key component of the project. The proposal calls for approximately 2,600 square feet of restaurant space along Forest Street and an additional 2,000 square feet of retail space near the Mill Creek trailhead.

To support the development, plans include 229 parking spaces, with a combination of covered, private, and public parking options.

The design places a strong emphasis on pedestrian connectivity and public space, featuring a public plaza, pocket park, and improved trail access from Broad Street. The proposal also includes public restrooms at the trailhead and is intended to complement the nearby Mill Creek Park corridor.

Previous Developers Frustrated

City officials structured the deal as what they describe as a “balanced public-private partnership,” designed to move the project forward while avoiding the pitfalls that have derailed previous attempts.

At the heart of the agreement is a 365-day due diligence period, giving the developer time to conduct environmental testing, evaluate engineering challenges, and secure financing. During that period, the developer retains the ability to walk away from the project and recover its deposit if the numbers do not work.

Those protections reflect the long and complicated history of the Broad Street site.

For more than a decade, the property, once home to industrial manufacturing, has been seen as one of Dexter’s most prominent redevelopment opportunities. At the same time, it has proven to be one of the most difficult to develop.

Multiple developers have brought forward proposals since the mid-2010s, including formal agreements and conceptual plans centered on housing and mixed-use development. None ultimately moved to construction. Over the years, the city worked to assemble additional parcels and address legacy issues tied to the site, including infrastructure challenges and the presence of a former utility substation.

Environmental concerns have also played a major role. The agreement notes that the site contains contamination beneath a clay “hard pan” layer, which helps contain pollutants but complicates construction.

With the agreement now approved, the project moves into its next phase, focused on due diligence and feasibility. The developer has up to a year to evaluate the site and secure financing before moving toward closing.