[Docta_Love]

I've had some worries about the project doing a modern version of a planned 60s twinning because I'm still of two minds on whether or not I like the renovation. At the time of its closing The Pontchartrain was looking a bit tired I like that it was freshened up & replacing the black glass with black may not have had the same effect but too much black and green doesn't look good.

I'm pleasantly surprised that the planning commission was so forth coming and so prompt seems like a good sign for the direction the organization is headed.

Anyone remember when Redico bought 150 W Jefferson with the eye to develop something on top of the parking garage? I looked it up and found the article but not much there after. Perhaps they are holding off with all the planned and current high-rise construction downtown right now.

Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority to get $500,000 for brownfield cleanup

By Associated Press
Crain's Detroit Business
June 10, 2018

The EPA said the funding is part of a program that helps communities reuse vacant and abandoned properties by making them available for housing, recreation, open space, health facilities, social services and other opportunities.

About $16 million is planned for 33 successful entities in the revolving loan fund.

The "funds will ensure more cleanups are completed and more land can be returned to beneficial reuse," EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said in a news release.

The port authority is based in Detroit. It works to advance maritime and related industries in Southeast Michigan for economic benefit to residents and business.

It was awarded $720,000 by the EPA in 2016 and received a couple of redevelopment proposals that did not pan out, said Kyle Burleson, executive director of the port authority. He said the agency's plan is to place the money by the end of the year for redevelopment projects.

"One of the issues we are finding is that there are so many giant projects going on downtown — $100 million projects for example — that the long process for $720,000 almost isn't worth it for them," Burleson said, adding that he is confident the money will find its way to the right development project.

A recent national study shows that cleaning up brownfields leads to residential property value increases of 5 percent to 15.2 percent within a 1.24-mile radius of the site. Another study analyzing data near 48 brownfields found that an estimated $29 million to $97 million in additional tax revenue is generated for local governments in a single year after cleanup. This is two to seven times more than the $12.4 million EPA contributed to the cleanup of those brownfields.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...for-brownfield

JPMorgan Chase grants $1.55 million to TechTown, financial assistance groups

By ANNALISE FRANK
Crain's Detroit Business
June 12, 2018

-Two-year investments to be discussed at Detroit Startup Week
-Funds will support funding assistance, training for small businesses
-New York-based bank has committed $150 million to Detroit development, stabilization

The investments, each two years in term, are part of the $150 million JPMorgan Chase has committed to Detroit economic development and neighborhood stabilization, starting about three years ago.

Technology startup incubator TechTown in Detroit's Midtown will get $780,000 to support growing its Retail Boot Camp development program to twice yearly, according to a JPMorgan news release. TechTown also expects to use the funding to help businesses it serves increase their revenue and prepare to take advantage of monetary resources such as grants and loans.

Detroit-based capital access assistance organization the Accounting Aid Society is to receive $410,000, which it'll use to network and share resources with other nonprofits, create a fee-for-service mode and offer tax preparation services and access to credits for residents of the city's North End, the release said.

With its $360,000, the nonprofit Great Lakes Women's Business Council plans to help 20 additional women-owned small businesses in Detroit with advice and training on sales growth, hiring, meeting goals and financial options, according to the release. JPMorgan Chase has invested $1 million in the nonprofit council over the last 12 years.

"Local entrepreneurs are one of the most important drivers of Detroit's economy. They are creating jobs and economic opportunity and attracting talent and investment," Janis Bowdler, head of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, said in an emailed statement.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...ial-assistance

Avalon to open grab-and-go cafe in new Mike Ilitch School of Business

By ANNALISE FRANK
Crain's Detroit Business
June 11, 2018

-700-square-foot cafe with small seating area, serving breakfast and lunch
-To open for public and Wayne State students by end of August
-Detroit bakery recently opened cafe and biscuit bar in New Center

Avalon International Breads is growing its Detroit presence yet again with a cafe and grab-and-go station in the new Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business.

The university plans to move its 200 business school faculty and staff into the newly constructed building on Woodward Avenue next to Little Caesars Arena in Midtown by Friday and start offering classes there this fall.

The Detroit-based bakery expects to open its latest cafe sometime before Aug. 29 — the date the fall semester starts, according to a Monday news release from Wayne State.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...ol-of-business


Not new news but a better rendering of the broader plan.

City clusters commercial corridor plans around Kercheval in Villages, Islandview

By ANNALISE FRANK
Crain's Detroit Business
June 12, 2018

-East-side area already has strong housing market, city says
-Framework centers on road and park improvements, adding affordable housing
-Plans include new mixed-use construction, Butzel Playfield revamp

The city of Detroit expects $5 million in public projects and more than 230 residential units to take shape over the next several years in a concentrated section of the city's east side.

The city recently expanded its Strategic Neighborhood Fund to improve areas outside downtown, and has drawn up a framework for the Villages and Islandview neighborhoods north of Belle Isle Park. The planning department revealed several projects at a community meeting Thursday.

Like in other neighborhoods, city planners want to create an inviting area to shop and live by making streets more walkable and lining them with businesses. They are pairing commercial plans with nearby housing, calling for developers to join in millions of dollars worth of mixed-use projects and home renovations.

Investments orbit around a section of Kercheval Avenue that runs through Islandview and West Village that's recently drawn more commercial tenants and real estate investment.

"We think that Kercheval will emerge over time as their own neighborhood downtown," Detroit Planning Director Maurice Cox said.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...al-in-villages