Council Member, District 3· 2026-01-01 to 2030-01 (month-level start: January 2026; month-level end: January 2030, four-year term)
Scott Benson
Detroit
About
Scott Benson's campaign platform focuses heavily on economic development and community improvement in northeast Detroit, with key priorities centered on job creation and the enhancement of local infrastructure.
Campaign promises (1)
- infrastructureScott Benson campaigned to bring more jobs and better infrastructure to northeast Detroit.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 89
- Total speaking time
- 13:00:27
- Avg per meeting
- 8:46
- Segments
- 10759
Want every word Benson has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Benson said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)(Development)
Stockbridge Renaissance Center 600 Tower redevelopment incentives
$7.8 million value in OPRA abatement over 12 years plus a $16.7 million TIF capture, against an estimated $4.3 million net city benefit.
PILOT reconsiderations for Hyde Park and Prentis housing
The PILOTs replace traditional property taxes with a percentage-of-rent service charge for 15 years, reducing general fund revenue on those properties.
Zoning Reform for Strategic Density and Affordable Housing
Could lower housing costs long-term by enabling more housing construction, though no cost estimate was given.
City-Owned Property Sales
An adverse outcome in the federal lawsuit could carry serious financial implications for the city, per the commenter.
Transit service and non-drivers
Advocates say significantly more funding is needed to expand DDOT bus service to the level residents deserve.
Community Land Trust Planning Contract
$298,400 in city funds through June 30, 2027.
Corktown Neighborhood Enterprise Zone
15-year property tax abatements reduce tax revenue on these properties but aim to spur investment and housing.
Renaissance Center / East Riverfront incentive package
Abatements worth about $5.2 million in tax savings, with a projected $4.27 million net benefit to the city over the incentive period.
Detroit Land Bank Authority quarterly performance
The reports affect how revenue from property sales and the cost of maintaining vacant inventory flow through the Land Bank.
2027 NCAA Final Four Special Event Permitting
Anticipated economic impact of approximately $400 million with thousands of daily visitors.
Vacant Lot Acquisition and Land Bank Processes
None directly associated with committee discussion.
Soave Enterprise Alley Vacation Petition
None stated directly; the project is HRD-supported.
Leland House displaced tenants seek compensation
Tenant leaders estimate close to $2 million in combined lost property; the city faces potential compensation obligations.
Herman Kiefer property settlement
A $925,000 payment plus title to development parcels conveyed to the city.
Butzel Family Recreation Center development
Unknown; a 51,000 sq. ft. commercial/apartment project on public land is proposed.
North Corktown HQ obsolete property certificate
Taxes rise from about $3,485 to $7,432 a year with the incentive; twelve-year savings estimated at $124,500.
Emergency Demolition and Blight Contracts
Contracts range from about $16,800 to $189,730 each, funded by bond and blight dollars.
Leland, RealToken, and Martin Luther King Park Housing Matters
The relocation plan will cost Detroiters roughly $850,000, which the city hopes to recover as a secured creditor in the owner's bankruptcy.
Contractor Debarment and Business Integrity
Helps protect public funds by barring irresponsible or corrupt contractors from securing city contracts.
Good Faith in Housing ordinance request
Decisions during term (64)
Recorded while Benson was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
9.3 — 680 Clinton Street planned development modification
Whitfield-Calloway, reso. autho. Appointing Nya Marshall to the Economic Development Corporation
Appointment of Nya Marshall to the Economic Development Corporation
Johnson, reso. autho. 1. Wood-C4065806.pdf Approving an Commercial Redevelopment District for WIDD IOFS LLC, around 60, 60 ½, 70, 84 and 100 Ferry Street, Detroit, Michigan, in accordance with Public Act 255 of 1978. (Petition #2026-011).
Submitting reso. autho. 1. Appointment of Nya Marshall to the Economic Development Corporation.pdf 2. Nya Marshall - Resolution - EDC.pdf 3. Nya Marshall - Cover Letter - EDC.pdf Appointment of Nya Marshall to the Economic Development…
10:30 public hearing — WIDD IOFS LLC Commercial Redevelopment District (Petition #2026-011)
Young, reso. autho. Request for Authorization to Accept and Appropriate the FY 2027 Medicaid CHIP Community Development Lead Hazard Control Program Grant
Approval of Corktown Development Neighborhood Enterprise Zone
Neighborhood Enterprise Zone – Corktown Development LLC (1350 Michigan Avenue)
Request for Authorization to Accept and Appropriate the FY 2027 Medicaid CHIP Community Development Lead Hazard Control Program Grant.
Appointment of Brandon Lockhart to the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
Appointment of Jason Friedman to the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
6.4 FY 2026 Michigan Brownfield Redevelopment grant ($820K, Corktown)
6.4 E. Warren Development Corp event (#2026-149)
Submitting reso. autho. Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Certificate Application for the construction of a new apartment building at 1728 Michigan Avenue in the Corktown Development Properties LLC Neighborhood Enterprise Zone area.
Submitting report and Proposed Ordinance To amend Chapter 12 of the 2019 Detroit City Code, Community Development, Article II, Community Advisory Councils, Division 2, Operation of Community Advisory Council; Rules and Procedures, by…
McCampbell, reso. autho. Reprogramming Amendment to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan for Fis cal Years 2019-20 and 2025-26.
Johnson, reso. autho. Approving of The Brownfield Plan of the City of Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for Stockbridge Renaissance Redevelopment.
Johnson, reso. autho. Approving of The Brownfield Plan of The City of Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for Busy Bee Redevelopment.
Johnson, reso. autho. Approving an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Certificate on behalf of Busy Bee Development, LLC in the area of 1401, 1409, 1413, 1415, 1417 Gratiot Avenue, Detroit, MI in accordance with Public Act 146 of 2000…
Voting record (4)(Development)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.