Entries by Tracy Willis

Partnership Looks to Grow Greenspace

A partnership between the city of Grand Rapids and Kent County Drain Commissioner Ken Yonker is focused on developing some much needed greenspace on the city’s Southeast Side. Located at 1516 S Division Ave., the property and an adjacent parcel are two of 11 properties the Grand Rapids City Commission will move forward on. The […]

Slow Pace Continues for Hudson Site Project

Dan Gilbert’s Hudson site project broke ground in December 2017. The original plan intended the tower to be taller than the RenCen, but even after the downsizing of its planned tower, it’s a long way from being complete. According to experts, it takes about four to five years to build big skyscrapers in the U.S., […]

Metro Detroit Housing Market Still Heated

Metro Detroit’s housing market is still hot for sellers and confounding for buyers, although not as intense as in spring and early summer. The median sales price for houses and condos was up over 7% in October from a year earlier, according to Realcomp multiple-listing service. That figure includes Oakland, Wayne, Macomb and Livingston counties. […]

Amway Grand Plaza’s Renovation Completed

The $40 million renovation of the Amway Grand Plaza’s 29-story tower is complete. Renovations began in January 2019 and outfitted the tower with new glass that provides guest rooms and the restaurant, MDRD, with floor-to-ceiling views of the city. Prior to the renovations, the 285 tower rooms had windows that started at knee level. According […]

Bedrock Gives Tour of Book Tower Progress

 On Thursday, Bedrock gave a tour of its renovation progress on the historic Book Tower. The renovations include restoration of the original limestone and masonry facade,  replacing 2,400 period accurate windows, and repurposing former office space into 229 residential units. It will also offer retail, hotel and office space when completed. The $313 million project […]

Sugar Loaf Resort Demolition Is Underway

Excavators have begun demolition of Sugar Loaf Resort in Leelanau County. The demolition should be completed by early January, but questions continue to loom. Who is financing the demolition, and what’s on the horizon for the site? The resort operated from the early 1960s until it closed in 2000 and was a premier winter destination. […]

Livingston County is Commercial Building Dead Zone

More than 7.5 million square feet is under construction in the Southeast Michigan region to fulfill the need for industrial, warehouse and distribution center buildings. But in Livingston County? Not so much, although it appears to be perfect for new construction. It has low vacancy, outdated inventory and rising rents. Only one new 40,000-square-foot industrial […]

Downtown Birmingham Bright Spot for Retailers

Downtown Birmingham is bustling with at least 8 retailers and 4 new food establishments that have opened, expanded or made plans to open in recent months. Retailers are rebounding in sales numbers and downtown Birmingham office space is at pre-pandemic levels of demand. According to real estate insiders, a popular retailer may be opening a […]

Michigan Township Vetoes Solar Farms

Invenergy, a multinational energy company, has offered Washtenaw County farmers $1,100 a year for each acre of land utilized for solar panels. Landowners agreed to the deal, but the township didn’t. Some residents fear electromagnetic radiation. Township officials are disenchanted with the company’s sign up efforts before consulting local government. They’re also skeptical about Invenergy’s […]

High Demand and Low Supply Drive Livingston County Market

A more affluent and green space is a combination that is bringing a lot of people to Livingston County.  According to Census data, the county saw a 7 percent growth rate from 2010 to 2020. It’s one of the fastest growing counties in the state with a population of more than 193,000 people. Home prices […]