Posts

Lafayette West Development Secures Loans

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Adrian Mall Proposal Includes Mixed-Use Redevelopment

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An Adrian Mall proposal aims to redesign the mall into a mixed-use facility that will include multifamily residential housing, anchor business tenants, and different options for retail and dining establishments. A church and self-storage units are also planned. The Adrian Planning Commission hasn’t voted on the proposal yet, but they’ve entered into discussion about the pre-application presentation. Some commissioners expressed optimism toward the presented ideas. An important part of the project is to demolish the water-damaged and mold-laden portion of the mall. Both conditions caused the mall to be condemned two years ago.

 

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Ann Arbor’s Plans for Blighted Site Take Shape

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Ann Arbor’s plans for the transformation of a blighted site across from the YMCA are in the works. The SmithGroup presented new drawings to the Planning Commission that show how the Treeline urban trail for pedestrians and cyclists could run through the east side of the site along the railroad tracks. They include a new housing building and courtyard on the west side of the site that would provide a mix of affordable and market-rate housing. The city is trying address many different public interests with this site. The site plans have been changed multiple times. The newest drawings are still not the plan’s final draft.

 

 

Long-Term Solutions Address Needs of Detroit’s Homeless

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The Pope Francis Center broke ground on a Bridge Housing Campus that will provide 40 studio apartments as temporary shelter to people for 90-120 days. During that time, the project will offer social and job-preparation services and comprehensive medical care that addresses physical, psychological and addiction needs. The project is part of a long-term plan to  solve the root causes of  chronic homelessness in Detroit by 2030.  People who stay in the studio apartments will transition to permanent supportive housing. The facility is scheduled to open mid-2023. Construction will begin in early 2022. Mayor Duggan sees this project as a potential national model.

 

 

Grand Rapids Management Company Plans More Affordable Housing

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Grand Rapids-based property management company Eenhoorn LLC purchased a mixed-use building with 235 market-rate apartments in downtown Grand Rapids. The $50.7 million building includes shared amenities such as a courtyard, fitness center, parking garage and retail space. Eenhoorn is working closely with the city to reserve up to 20% of the units for tenants earning between 80-90% of the area median income. The company hopes to address the housing gap for wage earners who are priced out of high quality units in low income housing projects and full market rate apartments. 

 

 

Corktown Apartment Tenants Have Water and Heat Restored

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Tenants of Corktown’s Victor Attar Court apartments have had their water and heat restored over the weekend. They were previously told they would have to relocate because of health and safety concerns. The building’s owner received 22 tickets amounting to $13,142, according to the city’s Buildings, Safety, Engineering and Environmental Department. The apartment residents were notified last week that if the landlord did not restore heat and water and bring the building up to code, they would have to vacate the building. Real Estate developer Emre Uralli is listed as the trustee of 1324 Porter Street Trust, the entity that bought the property when it was in foreclosure. Uralli claims he was unaware of the heating issues and the tickets. They’ve since met with inspectors and cooperating with them.

Developer Backs Away From Big Boy Site

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The site of Detroit’s only Big Boy restaurant, across from Belle Isle, is back on the market. The Platform LLC has backed away from its plans to build new apartments on the site. The Farbman Group is marketing the property for an undisclosed price. According to a Platform spokesperson, the company remains committed to its work in Detroit. The Platform had envisioned an 8-10-story apartment building with 240 studio, one- and two-bedroom units.

Former Hyatt Regency Hotel Has Sold

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Rhodium Capital Advisors closed on the purchase of the former Hyatt Regency hotel in Dearborn on Wednesday. The Manhattan-based real estate company purchased the property for an undisclosed sum. The company owns and operates 17,000 apartments across the U.S. It plans to convert the 772-room hotel into a multifamily, market-rate apartment complex with 375 unites. Phase 2 of the $50 million project includes renovation of the restaurant and banquet space on the property.

Inadequate Housing Plagues Detroiters

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A new report from the University of Michigan estimates that 90,000 Detroiters live in inadequate housing. The study found that residents of color, rental tenants, people with children and those who earn less than $60,000 annually are impacted the most. The study considers housing inadequate if it has major problems with electrical needs, furnace or heating problems, or a lack of hot or running water. 81% of survey respondents had at least one problem with their home condition.  The greatest complaints included concerns about plumbing, pests, and crumbling porches.

Riverfront Hotel Plans Pivot to Apartment Development

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The Detroit-based City Growth Partners LLC has scrapped its plans for boutique hotel rooms in a Detroit riverfront development. The $136 million vision for the property now includes 478 apartments instead of an original 360 apartments and 120 boutique hotel rooms. The revised number of apartments will make it one of the largest new multifamily projects in Detroit. The development will still include retail space. The Detroit Economic Growth Corp. board will have to sign off on the changes to the development plan because it is publicly-owned land. The changes have yet to be presented to the board.