[DetroitSky]

Automated parking structure part of historic Detroit Free Press Building redo

As renovations are being completed at the historic Detroit Free Press Building, a state-of-the art feature is being built in the basement – a fully automated parking structure.

Bedrock, which owns the building at 321 Lafayette, announced Tuesday that Los Angeles-based Dasher Lawless Automation is constructing the parking structure system, called AUTOParkit. When it opens during the second half of 2021 it will be the first of its kind in the Midwest, company officials say.

“What we’ve accomplished is provide kind of a valet service without the valet,” said Shawn Adams, vice president of sales and marketing for AUTOParkit, which has about 60 projects underway, mostly in the Los Angeles area.

In the Free Press building, the AUTOParkit system will autonomously park vehicles in 105 stalls and retrieve them in 40 to 180 seconds. The parking structure will be used by residents and commercial tenants of the building.

Because of the basement’s depth and layout, traditional underground parking would have allowed for few spaces, said Kevin Bopp, vice president for parking and mobility at Bedrock.

California’s Viola Announces First Cannabis Harvest in Detroit Cultivation Facility

California-based Viola today announced its first cannabis harvest in its Detroit cultivation facility. The announcement also marks the launch of the company’s fully operational Detroit facility, bringing more than 10 strains to market.

The harvest launch arrives on the heels of the opening of the company’s 48,000-square-foot Detroit retail location in November. The harvest brings a full grow of cured, ultra-premium flower to the Michigan market, including ATL, Keylime, Star Dog, Triangle Kush, Vader, Wifi, XXX, GG#4, Underdog OG, and Underdawg.

“The launch of our first harvest in the Detroit facility is a true testament to the growth, reception and overall expansion of the Viola brand,” says Al Harrington, former NBA player and founder of Viola. “We see so much opportunity and potential within the Detroit region, which is why we’re putting such an emphasis on this particular harvest and using this facility to elevate our brand and, most importantly, the community.”

Magna will expand Highland Park seating plant, creating 480 new jobs

Magna International Inc. is investing more than $35 million to expand its Highland Park plant after winning two new full seat assembly contracts, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

The plan is expected to create 480 new jobs, including nearly 300 entry-level positions, just as the automotive supplier sector faces deep strains following weeks of downtime and a long ramp-up process.

The governing body of the economic development agency on Tuesday approved a $2,173,322 grant for the project that would add 5,000 square feet of space. The plans also call for adding 100 parking spaces, three shipping docks and two automated storage and retrieval shipping systems, as well as a redesign of all assembly lines to maximize space.

"This project represents our automotive manufacturing strength and demonstrated continued leadership in developing future mobility solutions," MEDC CEO Mark Burton said during a conference call. "It chose Michigan thanks to our state's connected supply chain, talented pool and continued economic growth under Gov. Whitmer over the past several months."