From this weeks model D. I especially like news about DFI and Mezzanine it's very good sing that retails are slowly starting to take a chance on Detroit
November 28, 2006
Detroit Fashion Incubator to hold grand opening Dec. 1
Detroit Fashion Incubator has opened its doors at 4737 Grand River in Woodbridge. DFI is intended to serve as a retail outlet for local designers and a home-base where they can interact to learn about the business side of fashion.
DFI will celebrate its grand opening on Dec. 1 with a charity fashion event. 25 pieces of clothing and accessories—signifying 25 years since the first reported case of HIV—will be auctioned off to benefit local HIV and AIDS charities. DJ Minx will perform and the auction will be hosted by Charles Pugh.
DFI is currently working with 15 local designers, but has plans to include emerging designers from around North America as well as overseas.
Source: Michael Wislon, DFI
Neighborhoods: Woodbridge
(permanent link)
November 28, 2006
Odd Fellows Hall ready for occupancy
The $5.6 million renovation of the Odd Fellows building and the 50th anniversary of its developer, the Southwest Detroit Business Association, are being celebrated on Nov. 30. The event will take place in the building’s two-story Great Room from 4:30-7:30 pm with local music and a brief program at 6:00 pm.
Of the Great Room, Nancy Sizer, SDBA’s fund development director, says, "The room shines once again with its signature necklace of lights, wood floors rebuilt in their original pattern and large windows letting in light and views of the community."
The Odd Fellows development was financed through the purchase of $2.7 million in New Market tax credits by National City, a $1.8 million loan and a $600,000 grant from the City of Detroit and a $100,000 Cool Cities grant from the State of Michigan. The project was also supported by Detroit LISC as well as small business and brownfield tax credits. The building will provide 15,000 square feet of office space for non-profits and businesses, and the Great Room will continue to be a site for cultural and social events.
For more information about the project, check out Model D's previous coverage.
Source: Nancy Sizer, SDBA
Neighborhoods: Southwest Detroit
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November 28, 2006
First phase of Livernois boulevarding project wrapping up
Phase One of the Livernois Boulevard project is expected to wrap up by the end of the month, according to Sunny Jacob, traffic engineer with the Detroit Department of Public Works. Jacob has observed traffic in the area flowing smoothly and hopes the project will promote more pedestrian traffic along the corridor.
Phase One stretched between Eight Mile and McNichols, Phase Two will extend the boulevard south to Davison and Phase Three to Grand River. Both future phases will begin construction in 2008; reconstruction of the Lodge Freeway will prevent any work to occur during the 2007 construction season.
Source: Sunny Jacob, DPW
Neighborhoods: University Commons - Palmer Park
(permanent link)
November 28, 2006
Mezzanine to join downtown retail mix
Mezzanine, a high-end modern furniture, lighting and home accessories store has just finalized a lease arrangement downtown. The shop will be located at Broadway and Grand River, on the second floor above Rags.
Mezzanine originally opened in Ann Arbor in 1998 but has existed only in its online incarnation (
www.mezzanine-online.com) since 2005 in anticipation of a move downtown. Proprietor Joe Posch plans to be open by the first of the year and looks forward his store becoming an "attraction for downtown dwellers as well as people in the suburbs.”
Mezzanine focuses on classic to contemporary modern, much of it European and most of it high-end. Posch hopes to add a tabletop section by spring including flatware, bar accessories and dinnerware.
He believes Mezzanine will be a healthy addition to the downtown retail mix. “Right now I’m working to make downtown Detroit the kind of place I want to be, and I’d like to see more stuff downtown.”
Source: Joe Posch, Mezzanine