Michigan Real Estate News

Timely  |  Relevant  |  Informative

Royal Oak Neighbors and School District Oppose Pot Businesses

 On Tuesday, the Royal Oak City Planning Commission will vote on two special land use permits that would allow the city’s first recreational marijuana facilities to put down roots. Proponents of the controversial vote believe that Gatsby Cannabis Co. and Royal Treatment sites will blend well with existing commerce and neighborhoods. The opponents question if the decision would pose disruptions to nearby schools and neighbors. Gatsby Cannabis Co. is near Oakland Schools Technical Campus-Southeast, and Royal Treatment is in a residential area, near a mixed-used industrial area with a large number of single-family residential homes. The Oakland Schools Superintendent Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson sent out a “Call To Action” email to the parents of more than 600 students concerning the Gatsby Cannabis Co.

 

 

 

Northville Downs Property Sparks Heated Exchange

The Northville Planning Commission met for 3 1/2 hours to discuss The Downs planned development’s preliminary site plan. The meeting ended with a motion to table the discussion until the commission’s next meeting on February 15. The commission’s contract with the Northville Community Center, where the meeting was held,  expired at 10:30 p.m. The meeting included a 23-minute presentation by city planner Sally Elmiger, an approximately 70-minute site plan presentation by Hunter Pasteur, a 32-minute period when commissioners asked clarifying questions to the developers and roughly 48 minutes of public comment regarding the site plan. Hunter Pasteur CEO Randy Wertheimer addressed the commission and stated that ending the meeting without a vote was unacceptable. Commissioners countered that more time was needed for further discussion.

 

 

Google Joins Ford as Founding Member of Michigan Central

Technology giant Google announced on Friday that it will be part of the mobility district at the former Michigan Central Depot in Corktown. Ford has emphasized that the campus will be a collaborative district where other companies will work on mobility products and services. Google’s involvement will focus on workforce development for local high school students and job seekers. It will also provide cloud technology for Michigan Central’s mobility projects, including a new Code Next Lab to teach computer science to high school students. Google is also partnering with local nonprofits to offer a career 3-6 month certification designed to equip participants with skills for in-demand fields. Ford will recognize the certificate and consider program graduates for jobs.