A Walmart in Ypsilanti went vacant this spring. A few months later, the Muslim Community Association of Ann Arbor announced that it had signed an agreement to buy the commercial complex surrounding it for $12 million.
The property at 2321–2515 Ellsworth Road, according to MCA, contains 327,000 square feet, 23 operating commercial spaces, and the vacant former Walmart. Plans for the Walmart include prayer space, classrooms, youth facilities, offices, study and recreation areas, event space, and community services. The businesses would stay and continue paying rent.
MCA calls the project H.O.M.E., its second campus, and describes the financial arrangement as a “waqf-style model.” Its fundraising material calls it a “self-sustaining investment” and reduces the idea to four words:
“23 businesses pay H.O.M.E.”
At one point, the fundraising page said $4.45 million of the $12 million purchase price remained to be raised before a September 25 deadline. The purchase agreement had already been signed.
The empty Walmart may be new. MCA’s search for a much larger institutional home isn’t.