DETROIT | Development & Construction: Motown Lowdown

[DetroitSky]

American Axle to invest $5 million in Banglatown to tackle blight, boost redevelopment

American Axle's contribution will be focused on streetscape improvements, fixing up vacant storefronts and stabilizing affordable single-family homes in Banglatown, according to a news release.

The neighborhood north of Hamtramck and also referred to as Campau was dubbed Banglatown by city officials in 2017 because of its growing population of immigrants from the South Asian country of Bangladesh. The targeted area isgenerally bounded by I-75 to the west and Mound Road to the east, with the Davison Freeway to the north and Carpenter and Caniff to the south.

Improvements planned for this year include a new splash pad and pavilion at Jayne Field park, as well as a new soccer field and cricket pitch, and improved basketball and tennis courts. The streetscape repairs include road resurfacing on Conant Street from Davison Street to Carpenter Avenue, as well as improved pedestrian crossings at Conant.

In addition, the SNF plan includes the removal of 42 blighted structures in the neighborhood and cleanup around Davison Elementary School, according to a city planning document.

A $6.4 million redevelopment of a vacant Catholic school into a 23-unit affordable apartment complex is also still moving forward, but likely won't be delivered by the end of the year as initially announced. A vacant hospital on Carpenter Avenue, a blighted commercial building on Conant and a derelict factory on Dequindre Road near the I-75 Service Drive are being prioritized for stabilization and redevelopment, according to the city document.

The Film Lab pairs bar, cinema in Hamtramck

Italian horror movies from the '60s and '70s could be coming soon to a former Polish Legion of American Veterans hall in Hamtramck.

Business partners Josh Gardner and Lara Sfire plan to open the Film Lab this summer.

A ground-floor bar would open first, screening movies weekly over drinks while the team works to fund renovations for a second-story, two-screen cinema that would debut next year.

The venue will be a physical home for Cinema Lamont, a 2-year-old nonprofit founded by Gardner that has organized more than 100 screenings around metro Detroit and aims to grow "cross-cultural understanding" through movies, he said.

At the Film Lab, it will run international films, cult classics, restorations of rare films and more current independent films.

[samjonas]

There so many beautiful skyscrapers... I love detroit

Regards
Mobi

[seabee1526]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2gSndtvCeI

There were talking about a redesign...

[The North One]

They already told us they were still doing finishing touches, highly doubt it would be anything major since they've already submitted plans and Gilbert himself said it wasn't going to change much. Sounds like somebody is late to the party.

[animatedmartian]

It's been noted before that the foundation prior to construction could only support up to 16 floors. Much of the work going on now is to reinforce or rebuild the foundation to be able to hold the new construction.

The square on the southern half of the site should be pretty much where the tower will be since obviously the tower is going to be greater than 16 floors. The northern half of the site doesn't need much more than the cassions they've been drilling and IIRC, it's more likely we'd see the mid-rise portion of the site rise before the high-rise portion.

So far there's still nothing unexpected about the work going on and everything looks to be on schedule.

A redesign is contingent on whether or not they decide make the tower taller than 912'. Above that and the foundation and elevator core have to be built stronger which obviously would affect other aspects of the tower as well as making it more expensive.

[DetroitSky]

Senate Theater raising funds to install new marquee

The 1926 theater on Michigan Avenue is run by the Detroit Theater Organ Society (DTOS), which purchased the building in 1963 and has been steadily revamping it—the theater even began screening movies again after a 50-year hiatus in 2013. The society also owns one of the world’s largest Wurlitzer pipe organs and relocated it to the theater.

Now DTOS is looking to redo the marquee and is having a bike-themed fundraiser to support the effort. DTOS says it’s raised $60,000 towards its goal of $160,000.

On Sunday, June 9 beginning at 3 p.m., there will be a bike ride down Michigan Avenue leaving from Detroit Moped Works—bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, and all forms of two-wheeled transportation are encouraged to participate. Rides are being organized and supported by local businesses Clutch & Throttle and Metropolis Cycle, and Wheelhouse Detroit will provide free bicycle valet upon arrival at the theater.

The Monarch Club Towers Over Downtown Detroit With Panoramic Views

Perched atop the restored Metropolitan Building in downtown, the Monarch Club rooftop bar opened on Saturday, May 11, with sweeping views of the Detroit skyline. Located on the 13th story of the neo-Gothic property that was once home to the city’s jewelers and watchmakers, it’s the tallest rooftop bar available to the public in the area. With three outdoor terraces, it’s an impressive vantage point to look out at the city’s iconic architecture.

Visitors can access the Monarch Club by wandering into the refurbished lobby of the Element Hotel and hopping on an elevator. The doors open onto the main landing of the 150-seat bar, which is filled in by plush, red banquette seating and a white marble-topped bar. A pair of double doors demarcate additional lounges for regular bar service or private events with access to two of the building’s three patio spaces. The rooms were once concrete boxes used primarily by technicians servicing machinery at the top of the building. No they feature finished blue walls, leather armchairs, and views of the city through arched windows.

The third patio area, which will remain open to the public regardless of private events, overlooks the north side of the building towards Woodward Avenue and Comerica Park. Each of the terraces is outfitted with tables and fire pits for relaxing and enjoying the scenery — maybe even some baseball game fireworks — during nice weather.

^Beautiful space. Hard to believe that building was in ruins just a few years ago.

[subterranean]

I would’ve put up a higher barrier if it were up to me.

[DetroitSky]

Wilson foundation provides $1.9 million in grants to connect trails in Detroit and Downriver

The longest trail in Michigan just got funding to fill in gaps in Detroit and Downriver.

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, which funds numerous programs and projects that contribute to positive health outcomes in the state, provided $1.9 million in grants to the Friends of the Detroit River and other partners to build out parts of the Iron Belle Trail.

The projects will contribute to 3.5 miles of trail gaps and build connections between Detroit and Downriver. The Iron Belle Trail is a 2000-mile series of greenways and non-motorized trails extending from Southeast Michigan to the western edge of the Upper Peninsula. There are still gaps in the trail which are slowly being filled in through initiatives like this.

According to Crain’s Detroit Business, about $550,000 of the funds will go towards the creation of the Fort Street Bridge Interpretive Park, which will have “a gathering plaza, rain garden, and educational materials on the 1932 Ford Hunger March.” Construction on the park will begin this summer.

Olga's Kitchen to return to Detroit, open in MGM Grand Detroit casino

Olga's Kitchen is set to land in MGM Grand Detroit next month, marking its return to the Motor City.

The restaurant will serve customers 21 and older and offer a tight selection of signature options and favorites, along with salads and side dishes, such as the original Olga and the Olga salad and Olga's Snackers, according to a Tuesday news release.

Olga's Kitchen, known for its Mediterranean-style sandwiches wrapped in "Olga" pita bread, was previously located in Detroit at 1050 Woodward Ave., formerly the Compuware Corp. headquarters, but closed its doors in 2015, the release said.

"Olga's Kitchen is a staple concept here in Michigan where many have fond memories, and we are excited to carry on that tradition of a memorable dining experience to our thousands of guests we serve each day," Mike Neubecker, president and COO of MGM Grand Detroit, said in the release.

^Meh, I'd rather see them open an actual storefront location accessible to everyone, but still good news nonetheless. Maybe they'll consider opening other locations around Detroit in the future. Definitely a good sign they haven't given up on Detroit.

Detroit Beer Exchange in the works downtown

The owner behind Kalamazoo Beer Exchange has another stock-market bar in the works, this time in downtown Detroit.

James Flora, who opened a bar and restaurant in Kalamazoo in 2010 where beer costs fluctuate like stock prices, now plans to open a Detroit Beer Exchange, he confirmed to Crain's.

The bar is planned for 1258 Washington Blvd., in Detroit-based Roxbury Group's redevelopment of the historic Stevens Building alongside Invest Detroit.

Roxbury bought the Stevens Building as a pair with the Louis Kamper Building in 2016 with Invest Detroit, and it is keeping them as affordable senior housing after renovations.

They have nearly 9,000 square feet of retail space, according to Roxbury's website.

[The North One]

pfft affordable senior housing. I guess it's more ethical to wait it out. Both of those are trophy properties. They deserve to be luxury condos.

[DetroitSky]

Originally Posted by The North One

pfft affordable senior housing. I guess it's more ethical to wait it out. Both of those are trophy properties. They deserve to be luxury condos.

At least they’re getting some much needed renovations and activating their storefronts. I’m alright with having a few senior apartment buildings downtown. It’s too bad the Washington Boulevard Apartments wasn’t part of Roxbury’s deal. I understand they were under negotiations to buy that building for renovations as well but that fell through. It could really use some improvements.

[Busy Bee]

Originally Posted by subterranean

I would’ve put up a higher barrier if it were up to me.

It looks to be at least 36", probably 40". Why would it need to be higher? They're not corralling cattle up there.

[subterranean]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

It looks to be at least 36", probably 40". Why would it need to be higher? They're not corralling cattle up there.

Drunk people.

[Garbage_Human]

Originally Posted by subterranean

Drunk people.

If they fall it's just natural selection at it's best

[animatedmartian]

Originally Posted by Garbage_Human

If they fall it's just natural selection at it's best

Until they fall onto a pedestrian below which then makes it a liability. While the chances are low, a single lawsuit could pretty much close the whole restaurant if it even happened once.

[DetroitSky]

Modern townhome development in Corktown breaks ground

Elton Park, The Corner, Michigan Central Station—Detroit’s oldest neighborhood has been seeing a lot of new construction of late. The Bagley 10, which just broke ground, will be another addition to Corktown.

Consisting of (you guessed it) 10 townhouses on Bagley Street, the project has a distinct modern design with large, street facing windows and burnished concrete. The architects say it is “inspired by a walk-up/walk-down rowhouse” more typical of New York City.

The units are divided into upper and lower floor plans, but all are a little over 2,000 square feet and come with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two secured parking spots. Each plan will either have a private front courtyard or roof terrace, and all will have access to a rear patio.

[The North One]

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

Until they fall onto a pedestrian below which then makes it a liability. While the chances are low, a single lawsuit could pretty much close the whole restaurant if it even happened once.

I'm not too worried since:

It's a rooftop club not an irish pub where people get blackout drunk.

They would likely stop selling you drinks or not allow you outside if it ever got to that point

Below the majority of the railings is an alleyway, likely not many people walking around there.

There's clubs like this with similar railings all over NYC/Chicago.

[seabee1526]

Are there any plans for the Joe Lewis site once demolition is complete? Really tall apartment tower?

[animatedmartian]

Originally Posted by seabee1526

Are there any plans for the Joe Lewis site once demolition is complete? Really tall apartment tower?

No plans right now. The insurance company that owns it has until 2020 to submit plans to the city.

[DetroitSky]

Henry Ford Health builds art and community event space in Northwest Goldberg

There’s going to be a new addition to the vibrant Lincoln Street Art Park near the Recycle Here! center in Northwest Goldberg.

ArtBlock is an art-centered community event space developed by Henry Ford Health System (HFHS). The 3,300-square-foot former liquor store on Holden Street has been adorned with art, both inside and out, and will host regular programming and be available for use by local community groups and residents.

It was supported through a $200,000 grant by the Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation.

Five public art installations were created for the opening: two murals on the building’s exterior, a sewn textile installation, graffiti painted by a variety of artists, and two metal hippopotamuses across the street.

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

It looks to be at least 36", probably 40". Why would it need to be higher? They're not corralling cattle up there.

Building code requires 42" high guard rails, minimum. It looks to be about that.