Buzz

Grad student debates options for Detroit's redevelopment

Planetizen Tuesday, March 18, 2008

A University of Michigan graduate student in urban planning, Joseph Ciadella, crafts a cogent op-ed piece about Detroit corporate development strategy as opposed to smaller, organic strategies.

Excerpt:

"Sustainability, local economy, and community are three pillars of the path not-yet taken in Detroit. A path that moves beyond downtown development, beyond 'cool cities.' The Imagination Economy can be an authentic expression of who we are," writes Jackie Victor, co-founder of Avalon Bakery, highlighting not only her business model, but also broader themes of local reliance and self-determination. These themes are not present on the same level in city redevelopment policies, given the uneven focus on downtown, which, much like suburban sprawl, ignores, displaces, and perpetuates racial and class divisions in society that have been a part of Detroit�s (and other cities) history for years.

Read the entire piece here.

MSHDA funds to target blight in Hamtramck, Detroit and Highland Park

Crain's Detroit Business Tuesday, March 11, 2008

The cities of Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck may be receiving funds from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority targeted at specific blighted properties.

Excerpt:

Detroit�s targeted share is $2 million for 729 properties, while Highland Park and Pontiac each could receive $400,000 for 100 properties in each of their cities. Hamtramck�s targeted share is $52,000 for 13 properties.

In a news release, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said that �by providing resources to eliminate blight, we will help make neighborhoods safer for citizens and more inviting for businesses and economic investments."

Read the entire article here.

AP highlights Southwest's growth, Latino flavor

AP Tuesday, March 04, 2008

The national AP has taken note of Southwest Detroit's growth, and discusses the effects of Latino immigration to the area.

Excerpt:

More than $200 million has been invested in southwest Detroit in the past 15 years, which has attracted retail and new homes, including an $11 million condo development.

"It's one of the few places in the city where you are seeing a lot of private investment," said Olga Savic, of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., the city's public/private development arm. "West Vernor Avenue was once primarily vacant. Now, it's 90 percent full."\

Read the entire article here.

Detroit ranks in fifth in nation in exports

Detroit Free Press Tuesday, February 05, 2008

The auto industry has contributed to a positive ranking for Detroit: it is the fifth-ranking export city in the United States, demonstrating its importance to the nation's economy.

Excerpt:

Metro Detroit exported $43.3-billion worth of goods in 2006, up from $40.3 billion in 2005. During 2006, the city ranked behind only New York, Houston, Los Angeles and Seattle in the value of its exports.

"These new data underscore Detroit's important role in the global marketplace and the positive contribution trade and exports have on Detroit's economy," said Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez.

Read the entire article here.

Design*Sponge offers savvy, comprehensive guide to Detroit design

Design*Sponge Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Design*Sponge invited local blogger Sweet Juniper to write an entry on Detroit for its city design guide series. The result is super-thorough and manages to be egalitarian while separating the wheat from the chaff.

Excerpt:

The importance of the automobile in Detroit�s history and decline cannot be understated, and it plays an equally important role in the area�s tradition of design. Automobile design is often ignored by mid-century enthusiasts who might prefer a Saarinen womb chair to a sweet 1957 Lincoln Premiere Two-Door Hardtop, though the origins of both can be traced here to the Detroit area. Not only is Detroit home to a large population of artists attracted to the affordable standard of living, available space, and inspirational post-industrial cityscape, but also many professional designers who work primarily in the automotive field.

Read the entire post here.

Mayor to unveil economic stimulus plan

Detroit Free Press Tuesday, January 22, 2008

In a speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick announced that he will unveil an economic stimulus plan that will include investments in new police and fire facilities, public works and neighborhood preservation among others.

Excerpt:

He said the city had more to do to complete its revitalization and couldn't rely on anyone else.

"We are the cavalry," he said.

Read the entire article here.

$5.2M program aims to increase home ownership

Detroit Free Press Tuesday, January 22, 2008

The National Faith Home Buyers and Blight Busters have launched "Now's the Time to Buy Detroit," a $5.2 million fund intended to encourage home ownership in the city.

Excerpt:

National Development Services Inc., a Detroit-based investment firm, has pledged $3.1 million while the Brewer Group, another investment firm based in New York, has pledged $2.1 million to the project. Movie actor Morris Chestnut, who has starred in dozens of movies including "Boyz n the Hood," "G.I. Jane," and "The Best Man," flew in to help promote the program and pledge an undisclosed amount of money.

"This is a phenomenal opportunity to give back to the people who have given so much to me," he said. "You�re not just placing people in homes, but educating people to help them stay in the homes."

Read the entire article here.

Detroit residential sales continue uptick

Crain's Detroit Business Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Detroit residential home sales in November showed a four percent increase in comparison with 2006's numbers. This is significant considering the decrease in sales everywhere else in Metro Detroit.

Excerpt:

The increase is attributable to a combination of demand from young, urban pioneers and out-of-town investors, said Darralyn Bowers, president of Southfield-based ERA Bowers and Associates, which does a majority of its sales in Detroit.

She said data indicates a high level of cash buyers, meaning a lot of the sales are by people investing in residential real estate.

"We may not appreciate what an opportunity Detroit property is right now, but some people are," she said. "When this passes, we�ll see tremendous fortunes made."

Read the entire article here.

Riverfront Conservancy looks west, acquires Freep plant

Crain's Detroit Business Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Great news for the West Riverfront vision: the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has purchased the 26-acre site of the former Free Press printing plant, a significant piece of property in their goal to extend the RiverWalk to the Ambassador Bridge.

Excerpt:

The asking price on the parcel was $20 million, and [Grubb & Ellis' Geoff] Hill said the sale was less than that. Gannett will be considering a portion of the sale as a donation to the conservancy, he said. He would not disclose the sale price.

Other parties were interested in the property, he said, but the conservancy sale will have a positive impact.

�This was a win-win,� he said. �It helps the downtown, and it was a good deal for the partnership.�

"We were very pleased that this came together," said Dave Hunke, CEO of the Detroit Media Partnership. "There were other opportunities, but this is exactly what we wanted to have happen."

Read the entire article here.

Detroit ranks 64 on list of world's most livable cities

Business Week Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Using data from 39 quality-of-life issues from 215 cities around the world, an international consulting company has ranked Detroit 64 on its list of the 100 most livable cities.

Detroit topped Prague (74), Dubai (80) and Shanghai (100).

Read the entire list here.

NY Times examines plans to add Detroit-Windsor span

New York Times Thursday, October 11, 2007

The New York Times looks at both proposals to add an additional border crossing between Windsor and Detroit -- one public and one private.

Excerpt:

More than a mile of teal-painted steel rises over the Detroit River, just another bridge really but for the thousands of trucks and millions of dollars in goods that rumble across it each day between the United States and Canada.

In fact, this ordinary four-lane bridge is the busiest commercial border crossing in North America, carrying one-third of all road trade � or more than $122 billion in goods a year � between the two countries.

Read the entire article here.

Wayne County's TURBO program spurs $40M in development

Crain's Detroit Business Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Wayne County's TURBO (Transforming Underdeveloped Residential and Business Opportunities) is being used to catalyze challenging developments -- $40 million in just its first year of operation.

Excerpt:

Developers may get a 100 percent tax rebate for the first year of construction and an amount equal to 50 percent of their taxes in cash rebates over the next five years for new construction or total rehabilitation projects. Partial rehabilitation and projects involving brownfield development can also get cash rebates under the program.

TURBO incentives have been used to jump-start several developments, creating about 700 permanent and construction jobs, Ficano said. These include retail projects in Highland Park and Detroit.

Read the entire article here.

Crain's house party draws 900

Crain's Detroit Business Monday, September 24, 2007

Crain's Detroit Business' second annual Ultimate House Party drew 900 people. After visiting individual houses across the city, revelers converged at the Ren Cen.

Excerpt:

Jerome Raska and Robbin Yelverton, co-owners of Detroit-based florist Blumz ... by JR Designs, opened their University District home to House Party guests both this year and last. About 20 partiers mingled inside of the historic home, which was built in 1926, and the backyard, which features a number of lush plants and floral arrangements.

Raska said he and Yelverton participated in the House Party because they wanted to showcase the historic homes in their neighborhood and the home they've lived in since 1997.

"We're very proud to be Detroit residents," Raska said.

Read the entire article here.

Crain's to host second Ultimate House Party

Crain's Detroit Business Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Crain's Detroit Business is hosting its second annual Ultimate House Party on Sept. 20, when people will get a chance to learn about living in Detroit by hanging out in a private residence. Then all guests head over to the Ren Cen for a big after-bash.

Find out more and register here.

LISC community development awards to be given Sept. 20

LISC Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation, better known as LISC Detroit, will celebrate the success of the city's community development corporations at its annual awards luncheon on Sept. 20.

The luncheon is at noon at the Antheneum Hotel in Greektown. For ticket information contact Detroit LISC at 313-596-8222.

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