The retail readiness initiative to help spruce-up downtown before Super Bowl XL

Excerpts from the story:

.  A final drive to clean up downtown before Super Bowl XL is in the works as planners zero in on the derelict buildings targeted for improvement before the game.

.  Last month, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority in Lansing approved up to $2 million to establish and fund the program, called “retail readiness,” among other efforts to improve downtown. Owners of vacant buildings who show they are making repairs will receive grants matching their investment.

.  The retail readiness grants are meant to last well after the Super Bowl and their purpose is to stabilize the lower Woodward corridor to better attract other investment down the road.

.  Detroit Super XL Host Committee, a nonprofit group has raised more than $14 million to host the National Football League’s championship game Feb. 5, 2006, at Ford Field.

.  A group of urban planners working with the committee is meeting with owners of vacant buildings and offering matching grants of up to $150,000 per structure.

– To read the full story, click here: The Detroit News