Bankhole Thompson Calls Out Bedrock’s Tax Subsidy Grab
/in Detroit /by Tracy WillisAccording to Bankole Thompson, Detroit needs improvements that will impact the lives of its ordinary residents. The tax breaks for big companies are off the backs of ordinary citizens. Residential poverty still exists because of the lack of initiatives designed to make a difference. The city has given away huge tax subsidies to highly capitalized companies who don’t follow through with concrete plans. This is what’s creating the opposition to Dan Gilbert’s request for $60 million in tax breaks for the Hudson site project. Gilbert has the money to complete the project without a tax break from disenfranchised Detroiters. The author believes the heart of the issue is a civil rights issue. The jobs that are promised during the PR blitz for subsidies often do not materialize. The City Council should use the tax break Gilbert wants for more important quality of life issues.
Ann Arbor Rezones For High-Density Downtown Area
/in SE Michigan /by Tracy WillisThe city of Ann Arbor has rezoned over 200 acres by Briarwood Mall with the intent of developing a high-density downtown area. The West Stadium and North Maple area may be next. The rezoning is meant to increase housing density along transit corridors and commercial development, creating a more pedestrian-friendly area. Feedback on the idea has been mixed. City officials are looking for more input and will hold a virtual webinar over Zoom at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June. 14.
Charlevoix Mansion Garners High Price Tag
/in Northern Michigan /by Tracy WillisA Charlevoix mansion has sold for the enormous price of $9.845 million dollars. According to Interluxe, a luxury real estate marketplace, that price tag is the 5th highest resale price ever for a residential property in Michigan. The lakefront home at 08425 Raspberry Lane in Charlevoix drew more than $205 million in total bids over four days. The 10,000 square foot home designed by J Bradley Moore & Associates Architects for Frank Macher. It was built in 2009.
Home Costs Rise As New Building Permits Dip
/in SE Michigan /by Tracy WillisAs interest rates and materials costs rose, the number of single-family home permits in metro Detroit fell in April. The number of permits across Detroit Metro counties dropped to 303 in April from 414 in March. That’s a 27% drop. When compared to April 2021, they number of permits dropped 31%. Builders whose business was split between commercial and residential projects have seen it flip to entirely commercial. They cite rising costs, interest rates and supply chain issues. Buyers don’t have the money to cover the rising costs during actual construction. In addition, there aren’t enough workers to keep up with labor demands.
Pharmaceutical Company Rises in Grand Rapids
/in Grand Rapids /by Tracy WillisPerrigo, the private label over-the-counter pharmaceutical company, is opening its new North American headquarters in Grand Rapids. The company chose Grand Rapids over Chicago and Miami in hopes of benefitting by joining other health care-focused companies and research facilities in the Grand Rapids area. West Michigan is home to 60,000 health science jobs, 428 health science companies and 83 medical device manufacturers. This concentration has impacted the community, with doctorate-level jobs at six-figure salaries.
Northville Downs Developer Pitches Reduced-Housing Plan
/in SE Michigan /by Tracy WillisThe proposed Northville Downs development continues to work through the municipal approval process. Hunter Pasteur Homes has been meeting with the Planning Commission on a plan that would bring in excess of 440 units of housing to the horse racing track site. The development would include 38 single-family homes, 98 townhomes, 28 carriage houses, 62 row houses, 172 apartments and 43 condominiums. A third of the site’s acreage would be designated to parks and green space, along with commercial space. The 11-acre northern portion of the Northville Downs site has been sold to Perennial Northville LLC, an affiliate of Hunter Pasteur.