"As we prepare for the construction boom here in Detroit that is happening and is going to continue to happen … we want to make sure Detroiters have a shot about these jobs," Leen said. "We're also honest enough to say that in some cases, they're not ready. So this effort is to figure out exactly that."

Detroit-based Shelborne Development has renovated and managed affordable housing for more than two decades, including in the city's Jefferson-Chalmers and Palmer Park neighborhoods. The company recently revamped its leadership team and restructured in a bid to grow.

Shelborne and SER created a joint venture, Motor City Empresa GC LLC, to work on the Broderick as general contractor. They've collaborated to find funding sources, as well.

The four-story apartment building at 1516 Vinewood St., built in the 1920s, was majority occupied until a series of fires in 2011 severely damaged its interior and roof, according to a March narrative on the project provided by Shelborne. The 45,000-square-foot building has since been gutted by looters and will require an extensive rehab, according to Shelborne.

A Shelborne entity, KSM Holdings LLC, purchased the property from Jet Dhaliwal in 2014 for approximately $125,000, according to the deed, and Shelborne founder and President Kathy Makino.

The finished product will have 49 units of 450-950 square feet — one- and two-bedroom apartments and studios, said Jill Ferrari, Shelborne CEO and partner. Around 45 percent will be "affordable" and the rest market-rate, but rental prices haven't yet been determined.

Detroit-based EGI Inc. will serve as the architect.

First-floor retail was in the original plans, but after talking with other businesses and the community, it was determined to not be financially viable for the area yet.

"We didn't want to be stuck with a commercial space we couldn't support," Leen said.