Detroit Metro Area Rent Hikes Impact Wallets
/in Detroit, SE Michigan /by Tracy WillisYoung consumers and people of color continue to struggle with rent hikes. Housing costs is a component of measuring inflation. Last month, the shelter index rose at its fastest year-over-year pace since April 1991. Rent increased 4.8% in April over the last 12 months. The U.S. inflation rate hit 8.5% in March over the last year. The rising costs for housing and shelter are worrisome, and rent is expected to be significantly higher in 2022.
Park and Trail Projects Promise Increased Value and Developments
/in Detroit, SE Michigan /by Tracy WillisThe Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park on the west Detroit riverfront will feature a bear slide, an otter slide, and a slide in the form of a beaver. The park will include swings, trails, a treehouse, a replica of Fort Wayne and an outdoor classroom. The park broke ground on Tuesday afternoon, a month after ground was broken on the Southwest Greenway, a trail being built to connect southwest Detroit neighborhoods to the riverfront. These amenities that come with these projects will help property values, based on many studies that show that the proximity of a public park increases a home’s value. They should also be a catalyst for development in the area.
Birmingham’s Downtown Transformation Continues
/in SE Michigan /by Tracy WillisBirmingham’s downtown transformation continues with the four-story building planned at 294 E. Brown. Part of the development will house a new, multi-story RH showroom. The building with include office and residential space, underground parking, and rooftop use that will include a pool. The Birmingham planning board reviewed and recommended the final site plan for approval at its April 27 meeting. Some residents are concerned about the development’s spread into their residential neighborhood.
Former Rock Venue Listed For Sale
/in Detroit, SE Michigan /by Tracy WillisDetroit’s former leading rock hall is for sale. The Grande Ballroom at 8952 Grand River has been listed for $5 million. It’s currently owned by Chapel Hill Missionary Baptist Church. In its glory days, the building hosted touring guests like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the Who, along with Michigan acts like the Frost, and MC5. The Grande is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and that status may offer a financial windfall to its developer due to the State Historic Tax Credit Program.
Skilled Labor Shortage Complicates Construction Projects
/in Detroit, SE Michigan /by Tracy WillisPrior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was not enough skilled labor to meet construction demands. That’s even more true now that development has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels in metro Detroit. According to metro Detroit’s largest general contractors, that means less skill on job sites. That, along with continuing supply chain and inflation issues, is causing project managers to scramble to meet demands. The number of Michigan construction workers has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, but it’s still down almost 20% from 20 years ago. The number is not growing fast enough to meet the increasing demand. It’s anticipated that skill trades will account for 47,000 annual job openings through 2026.
First Merchants Corp. Closes On Level One Bank Acquisition
/in Outstate, SE Michigan /by Tracy WillisThe Indiana-based lender First Merchants Bank acquired Level One Bank in November. The acquisition has cleared its legal hurdles, and First Merchants Corp. closed on the $323.5 million purchase. The full integration of Level One into First Merchants is expected later this year. The combined bank is one of the 10 largest banks operating in Michigan. Patrick Fehring, Level One CEO, is expected to retire after the completion of the merger, but will join First Merchants’ board of directors next month. The combined bank will have 126 banking offices in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois.