METRO DETROIT | Development & Projects

[LMich]

Massive $133M Birmingham project adds parking, housing, retail, extends Bates Street

An ambitious multi-million dollar plan for Birmingham that would add hundreds of parking spaces, as well as new housing and businesses, is taking shape.

Walbridge/Woodward Bates Partners recently presented its proposed project, which Commissioner Rackeline Hoff called "one of the largest projects done in Birmingham," and Mayor Patty Bordman agreed it would "impact a lot of people in different ways."

In the proposal, the North Old Woodward parking structure would be demolished, a new one constructed in its place, and retail buildings added on the site, as well as mixed-use buildings on surrounding properties. Bates Street would be extended, and a plaza would connect the street to Booth Park.

[The Lurker]

5/4

Brookside is turning out nicely. It is right behind the development in the previous post.





From Booth Park:



I didn't know any of these were under construction.

750 Forest:





(Old Woodward & Oak) The Pearl:



https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news...wn-birmingham/

(Old Woodward & Brown) Aparium hotel:



https://amp-freep-com.cdn.ampproject...2F318070001%2F

[The Lurker]

5/4

With all phases of the new city center in progress Royal Oak is just bumpin with construction activity right now, with workers present at most sites even on a Saturday.

I'll start with the Griffin at 696 & Woodward. This is a big development. The building will Continue wrapping around the parking deck along the service drive and Main Street







Theres a rendering I don't remember seeing in this article:

https://www.apartments.com/the-griff...ak-mi/xfbt7en/

Billings Place:



https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news...eac655da1.html

Royal Oak City Center:

The parking structure is starting to wrap up while the steel structure is up at the new Henry Ford office building





New City Hall:



New police station:



The illustration here shows where everything goes. The park will be where the old police station is now.

https://www.romi.gov/881/Coming-Soon

Worcester apartments and Hyatt Place:





Nice density. Bonus shot of Troy and Clawson in the background



This new office building is beautiful. 150 W. 2nd:





And a couple bonus shots. The views from the new parking deck on west 2nd are awesome.

Southfield to the west:



Downtown Detroit to the southeast:

[deja vu]

Thanks for all of those updates - looking good!

[Docta_Love]

Definitely great to see the update there's a lot in the metro area that flys below the radar with the excitement over the city.

Nissan plans $41 million crash test facility, 25 new jobs in Farmington Hills

KURT NAGL
Crain's Detroit Business
May 24, 2019



The Japanese automaker is in the "final stages of internal review" for the potential project at its Technical Center North America, spokesman Chris Keeffe said. Following corporate approval, construction could begin as early as this summer and take 18 months to complete.

"Right now, we're moving right along," Keeffe said. "It's something we think would be great because it would add to the (tech center's) assets as a hub for cutting edge R&D."

The center, at 39001 Sunrise Drive near 12 Mile and Haggerty roads, employs 1,200 and serves as the company's main campus for research and development. In 2002, the building underwent a $38.8 million, 90,000-square-foot expansion that resulted in 260 new jobs.

The city of Farmington Hills is supporting the proposed expansion with an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate that would result in a $1.9 million tax break over six years, Hometown Life reported.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/econom...rmington-hills

[DetroitSky]

Mixed-use development, $3.2 million streetscape planned for Hazel Park

As Hazel Park plots to build a downtown, a proposed mixed-use development and $3.2 million streetscape plan could help move the vision forward.

A mixed-use apartment building with 33 units and 14,000 square feet of retail is planned for the site of a long vacant CVS store on John R. Road — the city's main drag. In the coming weeks, crews will begin overhauling John R., slimming it from four lanes to three, widening sidewalks and adding parking and bike lanes from Eight Mile Road to the Chrysler Service Drive. Nine Mile Road from Dequindre Road to the Ferndale border at West End Street is also targeted for a road diet and repairs. The idea is to create pedestrian-friendly infrastructure as a foundation for new development.

"That is what we're hoping to be the re-emergence of a downtown in Hazel Park," Jeff Campbell, community development director for the city, told Crain's.

Tucked along Detroit's northern border, the Oakland County city has been overshadowed for many years by its vibrant neighbor to the northwest, Royal Oak, and more recently, Ferndale, with which it shares city limits to the west. Planners in the 3-square-mile city are adamant that Hazel Park is an up-and-coming place to be, and a budding restaurant scene and redeveloped race track are playing in its favor.

Construction of the new apartment building at 23722 John R. Road is expected to start soon. The four-story complex is being spearheaded by Lucky Ranger LLC, whose registered agent is Michael Lang, owner of Renshaw Lounge in Clawson.

[DetroitSky]

I was in Dearborn last week and came across this mystery development on the corner of Mason and West Village Drive in downtown West Dearborn. Anyone know what it is?

[jmcilreavy]

Originally Posted by DetroitSky

I was in Dearborn last week and came across this mystery development on the corner of Mason and West Village Drive in downtown West Dearborn. Anyone know what it is?

Ford I believe. The company a couple years ago,prior to MCS purchase, had launched a development strategy to create a more urban feel in and around the Dearborn campus as a way to retain younger talent.

[DetroitSky]

Ferndale approves developer deal for mixed-use parking garage project

A public-private partnership is moving forward to finance and construct downtown Ferndale's first mixed-use parking garage development.

City Council unanimously approved Monday night a development agreement between the city and Royal Oak-based developer Versa Wanda LLC, according to City Manager Joseph Gacioch.

Construction started in February on the long-planned, city-financed portion of the approximately $40 million DOT (Development on Troy) at 221 W. Troy St., behind Rosie O'Grady's. The city is spending $21 million, financed through bonds, to build a 400-space parking deck, a ground-floor 15,000-square-foot retail shell and shared-street infrastructure along Troy.

Versa Wanda agreed to build 20,000 square feet of elevated Class A office space — Ferndale's first — on top of the deck, build out the retail space and also build at least 12 apartment units in an adjacent building. It committed in the development agreement to invest at least $9.4 million in the office and retail portion; a pricetag was not spelled out for residential.

Macomb County mulls $375 million jail as vote to delay millage proposal approaches

Macomb County is still considering the best time to ask taxpayers for $375 million to fund a jail in Mount Clemens that would replace one at the end of its life cycle.

County commissioners are expected to vote July 18 on a resolution to delay approval of the millage proposal and abandon the idea of putting it on the November ballot. The proposal is for a 0.98-mill tax for 21 years to pay for a new 1,518-bed jail and sheriff's office.

Officials seem to be in general agreement that putting the proposal on the ballot this year might not be the best option for residents. It would cost the county $400,000 to arrange for a special election in 12 municipalities not already scheduled to hold elections this year, said Bob Smith, chairman of the commission. The lack of big issues this year could also lead to poor voter turnout.

"Some commissioners thought there's just not enough voters in this upcoming November election," Smith said. "Maybe it might be better to look at a different date."

If commissioners delay approval and decide against putting the millage on the ballot in November, the other options include March, August or November of next year.

Henry Ford Health plans new medical center at former Kmart in Plymouth Township

A longtime eyesore along Ann Arbor Road in Plymouth Township could soon see new life as a medical center.

The Henry Ford Health System announced via a press release Tuesday it would redevelop the site formerly occupied by Kmart at 40855 Ann Arbor Road near Haggerty into a 120,000-square-foot outpatient medical center.

The Detroit-based health care provider is expected to close on the property later this summer, and construction is expected to begin after. The building should be completed by 2021, the health care provider announced.

"In keeping with our ongoing strategy, this development will bring a comprehensive level of services to our growing base of patients in western Wayne County," Bob Riney, Henry Ford's president of Healthcare Operations and chief operating officer, said in the release. "We’re grateful for the support of township Supervisor Kurt Heise and his team and the opportunity to be part of revitalizing this viable piece of property in Plymouth Township."

[DetroitSky]

Ilitches trying to build large new office property in Farmington Hills

The Ilitch family is seeking approval from Farmington Hills officials to build a 200,000-square-foot office building there.

City planning staff said Friday morning that an Ilitch affiliate, LC Trademarks Inc., is requesting site and landscape plan approval as well as a lot split for property at the southwest corner of 12 Mile and Drake roads for the development, which would also include an unknown amount of retail space.

Those items had been on a planning commission agenda last month but were pulled at the request of Olympia Development of Michigan, the Ilitch family's Detroit-based real estate company; they are now anticipated to be before the commission Aug. 15.

The staff member, who asked not to be identified, said 850 employees are to work in the building, based on information included in the documents submitted to the city. The property, long owned by the Ilitch family, is 35.5 acres and currently used as soccer fields.

Olympia said in a statement: "The land in Farmington Hills has been owned by our company for many years. We have submitted a site plan and lot split for consideration for future development opportunities. We have no definite plans to share."

$11 million development and park with amphitheater planned in Woodhaven

Developers are planning an $11 million development and a new park with an amphitheater on a 9-acre piece of land in Woodhaven that's sat vacant for 30 years.

The five-building, 30,000-square-foot Park Promenade will go up at the corner of Allen and West roads with the existing Meijer there serving as its anchor, according to a news release.

Bingham Farms-based Alrig USA Development is the developer, Wyandotte-based Detroit Architectural Group is the architect and the general contractor has yet to be selected.

Chick-fil-A has signed on to be the first tenant and will occupy one full building in the development. It would be the 13th store in Michigan for the Atlanta-based chicken sandwich chain, according to its website. The company had a slow start in the market but appears to be growing its footprint in Michigan quickly.

Other tenants have not been named. The buildings are suited for retail, office, and health and wellness, the release said.

The retail is less than exciting, but the amphitheater could end up being a nice little attraction.

This article is from a year ago, but it looks like site prep is going to begin soon:

$60M senior development coming to Rochester

ROCHESTER — The Rochester City Council recently gave the green light to a 137-unit senior living community at the northwest corner of Elizabeth and Second streets in downtown Rochester.

Blossom Mills is the latest addition to the Moceri Cos. Blossom Collection, a $1.2 billion group of luxury senior living communities being developed in Oakland Township, Auburn Hills, Clinton Township and Sterling Heights.

The $60 million project includes a 243,124-square-foot, six-story senior residential building on a 2.47-acre site in downtown Rochester. Because the site is zoned industrial, which does not permit senior housing, the project required special project approval from the Rochester City Council. The project passed July 9 with a unanimous vote.

Southfield considers purchase agreement with EverCentre developer

SOUTHFIELD — A local development company has its eye on the EverCentre property.

At a June 24 meeting, the City Council voted 4-1 to enter into a purchase agreement with Beztak Properties for a commercial and residential development on a portion of the property, located at the corner of Evergreen Road and Civic Center Drive.

Councilman Donald Fracassi voted against the proposal. Councilman Myron Frasier and Councilwoman Tawnya Morris were not at the meeting.

In October, city officials announced that they had reissued a request for qualifications for qualified developers for the vacant, 8.15-acre EverCentre property.

Officials said previously that they are looking to develop a centrally located, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development on the lot, which is across from the Southfield Municipal Complex, 26000 Evergreen Road, and is within the Southfield City Centre, a mixed-use district.

[DetroitSky]

Oak Park gets $600,000 from state for long-planned Union Joints restaurant

A plan for a destination restaurant in an old Albert Kahn-designed building in Oak Park could move forward with new state funding after years of delay.

The state awarded the city of Oak Park a $600,000 Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy grant to assist with remediation of the contaminated site, EGLE said Wednesday in a news release.

Union Joints, the Clarkston-based restaurant group known for opening its eateries in unique locations such as a car repair shop and church, has long planned a revitalization of the 8,000-square-foot former WWJ Broadcast Station on Eight Mile Road.

The company is working with the city and EGLE to clean the site for safe reuse after a basement electrical transformer exploded in 2014 during a flood. Chemicals contaminated the 83-year-old building's concrete, as well as nearby soil, according to EGLE.

The $4 million redevelopment is being financed by Union Joints and a banking partner, restaurant group co-owner Curt Catallo said. The project would create 100 jobs, the release said.

More info on the proposed Ilitch Farmington Hills building:

Ilitches plan Farmington Hills office building for Mercedes-Benz Financial

The Ilitch family's Olympia Development of Michigan plans to build a 200,000-square-foot office building in Farmington Hills for Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC, the companies said Tuesday.

The Little Caesars Pizza owners still need city approvals for three-story development on property they have long owned and once considered for the pizza maker's own headquarters.

Site and landscape plans and a lot split are expected to go before the Farmington Hills planning commission Thursday.

Farmington Hills-based Mercedes-Benz Financial Services operates under Daimler Financial Services, German automaker Daimler AG's financial services company.

[deja vu]

^ That senior living development in Rochester will feel huge. 6 stories and almost 250,000 SF is pretty significant for Rochester. It makes a lot of sense for that property to be rezoned for residential / senior housing, with it being so close in walking distance to main street, and adjacent to the Clinton River Trail.

That Oak Park restaurant in the Kahn building sounds interesting.

[deja vu]

Henry Ford Health System's Royal Oak outpatient medical center progress -







Source: Clark Construction | LinkedIn

[DetroitSky]

The other day I drove by the old Embassy Suites in Southfield, which closed last April. There were large Ramada Plaza banners hanging off it and its listed on Ramada's website. Sounds like we'll be seeing this hotel come back to life soon.


Source

This was already posted in the Detroit development thread, but we'll include it here too:

Ford releases plans for major overhaul of Dearborn campus

Many of the buildings on the 700-acre campus will be replaced, including the automaker’s Product Development Center, which is expected to be torn down in 2023.

In its place will be 2.2 million square feet of new space that Ford is describing as a “living laboratory” in which it can test future mobility technologies. It will make the campus itself part of the testing grounds and encourage use by its 20,000 employees of multimodal transit—bikes, walking, electric vehicles. Distances between buildings and parking space will also be greatly reduced from 40 percent to 8 percent of the total campus area.

Amazon to bring more than 1,500 jobs to Pontiac Silverdome site

Amazon was revealed Wednesday night to be the tenant of a $250 million new development on the site of the demolished Pontiac Silverdome.

Dubbed "Project Cougar" in Pontiac Planning Division documents related to the former home of the Detroit Lions, Atlanta-based Seefried Industrial Properties is proposing a 3.7 million-square-foot, two-building distribution campus for the Seattle-based e-commerce giant housing at least 1,500 full- and part-time workers.

The Planning Commission approved a permit for the 127-acre site Wednesday night to be used as a warehouse and distribution center. The project is expected to be complete by the third quarter of 2021.

In all, Seefried Industrial Properties envisions a roughly 3.5 million-square-foot, five-story fulfillment center, along with a one-story, 200,000-square-foot delivery station, the 30-page document says.

It also says that there would be 1,800 parking spaces for the larger building and 350 spaces for the smaller building, totaling 2,150.

[deja vu]

I for one appreciate the rainy rendering above. It seems far more believable when it's not all sunshine & roses.

[Docta_Love]

I'm liking the way this project is progressing just the initial concept of linking up the tech/engineering center with new development in downtown westborn is a big step forward for the company and the city to stay competitive in a changing world and region. Furthermore definitely like small touches that make walkability feasible and reasonable under "foul weather" conditions ie large sheltered areas and automated shuttle service. Seem like this could really be a true "all weather campus" that shines when the weather is great green with sleek white modernist style for warm sunny spring and summer days and warm wood interior with large windows and courtyards to maximize light and color during the fall.

[DetroitSky]

Former Embassy Suites in Southfield reopens as Ramada under new ownership

The former Embassy Suites by Hilton Hotel in Southfield, which lost its branding and then later closed without warning, has reopened under new ownership amid a more than $2 million renovation.

The Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Southfield opened earlier this month after local real estate professionals Aaron Morris and Shannon Steel bought it April 11 from Hotel Capital LLC under the entity Management Solution Holdings LLC. They declined to disclose the purchase price.

The hotel expects to launch on third-party booking websites later this month and several amenities and offerings aren't online yet, Steel said. A Topgolf Swing Suites is to open in December. Renovations to the pool, exercise facility and 9,500 square feet of meeting, event and convention space are ongoing.

Also, Steel and LaShonda Allen, the hotel's chief operating officer, said they expect to transition from Ramada Plaza to a more luxury Wyndham brand, Wyndham Hotel and Resort, within a year or year and a half. They said the hotel has most the renovation work and amenities in place for the more upscale brand, but will take time to gauge business before transitioning. For now rates start at $109 a night, according to Wyndham's website, but prices would go up around $40-$50 a night under the new brand.

The property will offer complimentary shuttle service starting next year within 25 miles — including Detroit Metropolitan Airport and downtown Detroit.

To most of the country, this is minor news, but I'm sure there's more than a few people excited for this. I personally don't find anything special about their chicken, but to each their own.

Where four new Chick-fil-A restaurants will soon open in Metro Detroit

Metro Detroiters won’t have to travel far for their fried chicken sandwich fix in the near future. Chick-fil-A plans to open four restaurants.

MLive has been telling you about the Novi location slated to open sometime in 2020. Now we know the chicken chain is planning restaurants in Allen Park, Northville and Shelby Township.

I recently noticed this Tru by Hilton under construction on Maple Road and 75 in Troy. One of a dozen or more similar hotels under construction in the area, but this is fairly notable as its a relatively new brand to metro Detroit.


Source

[SperamusMeliora]

Oakland University has released details of the upcoming expansion and renovation of South Foundation Hall.

The renovation to the campus' first building will add one new classroom, with 12 more being added by the expansion, bringing the total number of classrooms in the building to 50.

The total cost of the project has been set at $40 million (NTE).



Virtual panoramas of the project: 1 2 3

[DetroitSky]

Holly Union Depot Wins $150,000 Grant in National Voting Campaign

Holly’s historic Union Depot train station has won a $150,000 grant as part of the 2019 Partners in Preservation: Main Streets program, sponsored by American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in collaboration with Main Street America and National Geographic.

The Holly Union Depot vied for votes nationally with 19 other finalists. Top vote-getters divided $2 million in available grant money.

“We are proud that one of our Main Street communities received significant financial support and recognition to help them preserve and revitalize an important historic building in the county,” says County Executive Dave Coulter. “Our quality of life is built and maintained by our engaged citizens, with each project enhancing the county overall.”

The funding will provide half of the approximately $300,000 needed to move and rehabilitate the depot. Wedged between two active rail lines, the depot is not in a safe location for use. By moving the depot 1,000 feet, it can become more integrated into the downtown business district and converted into community space for residents and a welcome center for visitors to learn about Holly’s history and current amenities and attractions.

Source

This week's Real Estate Insider on Crain's has a photo of the Midwest Innovation Lofts/The MIL project underway in downtown Auburn Hills:



Here's a reminder of what it will look like when completed:


Source

[DetroitSky]

Detroit's forgotten farmers market could get second life at Greenfield Village

For three decades, the expansive open-air pavilion, with its distinctive cast-iron columns, served as the main building of the Detroit Central Farmers Market, drawing farmers from what are now the western suburbs to sell their produce to the residents of a growing city.

Eventually the market, which stood in the shadow of the old city hall, became a victim of development and other pressures and closed in the early 1890s. The decorative pavilion was dismantled and relocated to Belle Isle. It was reconfigured as a riding stable, and later became the home for the horses of the Detroit Mounted Police before falling into disuse and disrepair.

It was nearly lost to history until The Henry Ford purchased and dismantled the building in 2003, saving it from demolition. Today, the historical institution is raising money to restore the pavilion as part of its agricultural and education programs at Greenfield Village.

And, for the first time as part of a building restoration, The Henry Ford is participating in Giving Tuesday — or #GivingTuesday, an international movement to create a day of charitable giving the week after Thanksgiving — to raise money for the project. All donations made to thf.org/GivingTuesday will go toward installing the Detroit Central Farmers Market in the Village. Additionally, every donation will be matched by Don and Mary Kosch, longtime supporters of The Henry Ford, doubling the impact of each contribution.

So far, The Henry Ford has raised about $4.7 million of the $5 million estimated cost of the project and is looking to close the gap. The Henry Ford is hoping to reach a goal of $25,000 on Giving Tuesday. If fundraising is successful, construction on the project could begin in 2020.

^^^The photos provided in the story are huge, sorry about that.