DETROIT | Development & Construction: Motown Lowdown

[animatedmartian]

Also in the news...

Once fantasy, redeveloping Detroit's old train depot now seen as doable
JC Reindl, Detroit Free Press. Aug. 6, 2017.



Closed for nearly 30 years, the massive Michigan Central Station in Detroit is widely known for its ornate architecture and haunting emptiness and decay, but so far has missed out on the surge in redevelopment happening in the city.

Now the possibility for a full renovation and reuse of the old train, long a Detroit development fantasy, could finally be approaching the realm of possibility.

Representatives for the station's owner, the family of businessman Manuel (Matty) Moroun, say that an increasing number of prospects have been touring the station to scout business opportunities.

....

The cost to rehab the station would undoubtedly be formidable and perhaps approach $300 million, according to past estimates.

The Moroun family hasn't disclosed any precise cost figures for renovation work. However, Matt Moroun, son of patriarch Manuel Moroun, told reporters last month at a news conference inside the station that rehab costs would likely exceed $100 million.

....

The station has been out of service and closed to the public since 1988. The elder Moroun bought the property in 1995.

"The challenge that we face, being very blunt with you, is (finding) a great idea that's both a great idea and economically viable," Matt Moroun said.

Various proposals have been floated over the years for what to do with the empty depot. Many of them called for installing government-backed tenants, such as an international trade and customs center or a new Detroit police headquarters. None of those notions panned out.

...

http://www.freep.com/story/money/201...ion/534609001/

[subterranean]

Someone please tell me the backstory with the windows. Was this just a bandaid to get officials off their backs?

[animatedmartian]

Partly. Mayor Duggan made a deal with Matty to sell some city owned land next to the Ambassador Bridge so Matty could build his 2nd bridge to Canada (of course, Canada doesn't want a 2nd bridge there so the chances of it happening are next to impossible). On Matty's end though, Duggan wanted him to make improvements to the MCS, I guess starting with replacing the windows and the freight elevator inside.

The money the city got from Matty was then used to rehab Riverside Park. So it was a win-win all around even if Matty's win was kind of futile towards his long-term goals.

https://detroit.curbed.com/2015/7/30...-and-bridge-co

[LMich]

I'm kind of disappointed that they are talking about residential in the article. Not every historic restoration should be residential apartments and condos. I think they should use it (the tower) for what it was originally intended to be used as, at least partially. I'd also love it if Amtrak would make this the city's main station, again. Of course, other businesses would be on the groundfloor, but I'd love for Amtrak to be one of the tenants. It'd make more sense for this to be the main station, anyway, if the long-term goal is to get international service back.

Anyway, if it wasn't clear already, I think the sad story of MCS is increasingly showing how much its current fate is the result of the owner rather than economic feasibility. Because, let's be clear, had someone like Dan Gilbert purchased this five years ago, it'd already be redeveloped or well into a redevelopment. My feeling is that the building isn't redeveloped until the Moroun's sell the building or find a much more capable redeveloper to partner with, because they are both unwilling and incapable of the vision for the redevelopment of a building like this. It'd be nothing to redevelop the tower, and you've got a plot for a parking garage over at the Roosevelt warehouse or even over the rail platforms out back if one is needed to support the structure. I've never bought the excuse about how logistically diffult it would be for MCS to work, again, or the "it's too far from dowtown" excuse, particularly if you were able to land a single tenant for the office space. Sure, it'd be harder to attract law offices or something than it would in a downtown location, but not every office tenant needs that synergy.

[subterranean]

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

Partly. Mayor Duggan made a deal with Matty to sell some city owned land next to the Ambassador Bridge so Matty could build his 2nd bridge to Canada (of course, Canada doesn't want a 2nd bridge there so the chances of it happening are next to impossible). On Matty's end though, Duggan wanted him to make improvements to the MCS, I guess starting with replacing the windows and the freight elevator inside.

The money the city got from Matty was then used to rehab Riverside Park. So it was a win-win all around even if Matty's win was kind of futile towards his long-term goals.

https://detroit.curbed.com/2015/7/30...-and-bridge-co

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[Docta_Love]

Van Dyke Manor in Detroit sells for $2.5 million

By KURT NAGL
Crain's Detroit Business
August 10, 2017



The Van Dyke Manor, a 38-unit apartment building near the east Detroit riverfront, has switched ownership for the second time in two years.

Silva Property Management recently purchased the historic building at 1000 Van Dyke and East Lafayette for $2.54 million and immediately began renovations to unoccupied units, said Paul Silva, owner of the company. The apartments will be renamed 1000 West after renovations are complete.

Cary Belovicz, of Greystone Bel Real Estate Advisors, part of New York City-based Greystone and Co., represented the buyer and seller in the transaction.

...

Renovations are expected to take a couple of years, Silva said. As most units are occupied, the timeline depends on when units become available to update.

Silva declined to say how much he is investing in the project, only that it is "significant."

Silva Property Management, which also operates the apartments, is planning to modernize the units with washers and dryers, stainless steel appliances and wood floors as well as replacing the building's parking lot and roof and possibly adding units.

"The challenge is keeping the charm of the vintage building but upgrading it with today's amenities," he said.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...for-25-million

Mudgie's building in Corktown sells; deli to remain open

By KIRK PINHO
Crain's Detroit Business
August 11, 2017



The building housing the popular Mudgie's Deli & Wine Shop in Detroit's Corktown sold Thursday, along with an adjacent apartment property and parking lot.

Mudgie's, owned and operated by Greg Mudge at 1300 Porter St., will remain open on a long-term lease.

The properties were sold to a joint venture between Birmingham-based Lutz Real Estate Investments and New York City-based Gould Investors LP, according to a news release from Lutz.

The sale price was $813,000, according to Bill Swanson of Detroit-based O’Connor Real Estate. The properties had been listed for sale for $850,000.

"We responded immediately when we were presented the opportunity to purchase properties with a long-term tenant anchoring an iconic building located in an expanding area like Corktown," Jon Epstein, an associate with Lutz, said in a statement.

Kyle Shenfield of Gould said the company is looking to "build a large portfolio in Detroit."

The properties were built in 1912 and contain a total of 6,200 square feet, according to the listing.

According to Eater Detroit, Mary Jane McNally, who had been the building's owner, died in late 2015 and her family was selling the building.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...to-remain-open

Ballmer Group opening Detroit office to focus on poverty

By SHERRI WELCH
Crain's Detroit Business
August 11, 2017

Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie are opening a Detroit office for their charitable foundation, the Ballmer Group.

The news was announced in a job posting for an executive director with strong Detroit roots and networks across the public, private and social services sectors.

The move comes less than a year after the pair said they plan to donate large amounts of their now $32.3 billion fortune to help eradicate intergenerational poverty in Detroit. Ballmer is a Detroit native.

The position "is a newly created role reflecting Ballmer Group's commitment to alleviating intergenerational poverty in a city where the Ballmer family has deep roots," the foundation said in the posting.

Among other responsibilities, the new leader will be charged with developing and managing a multimillion dollar budget for Detroit grants, initiatives and partnerships, reporting to the foundation's managing director and the Ballmers.

...

Among other strategies, the Ballmer Group said it is making unrestricted, long-term grants over five to 10 years to support national and regional organizations with demonstrated impact in improving economic mobility for children and families.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...cus-on-poverty

[The North One]

When somebody is worth billions upon billions of dollars it is their human obligation to give most of that back. Glad he's focused on Detroit, some transit infrastructure grants would be nice.

[dc_denizen]

Better to use the billions to invest and develop property in Detroit. Detroit needs economic activity not charity.

[The North One]

Incidentally, that is also happening.

[deja vu]

Originally Posted by LMich

I'm kind of disappointed that they are talking about residential in the article. Not every historic restoration should be residential apartments and condos. I think they should use it (the tower) for what it was originally intended to be used as, at least partially. I'd also love it if Amtrak would make this the city's main station, again. Of course, other businesses would be on the groundfloor, but I'd love for Amtrak to be one of the tenants. It'd make more sense for this to be the main station, anyway, if the long-term goal is to get international service back.

Anyway, if it wasn't clear already, I think the sad story of MCS is increasingly showing how much its current fate is the result of the owner rather than economic feasibility. Because, let's be clear, had someone like Dan Gilbert purchased this five years ago, it'd already be redeveloped or well into a redevelopment. My feeling is that the building isn't redeveloped until the Moroun's sell the building or find a much more capable redeveloper to partner with, because they are both unwilling and incapable of the vision for the redevelopment of a building like this. It'd be nothing to redevelop the tower, and you've got a plot for a parking garage over at the Roosevelt warehouse or even over the rail platforms out back if one is needed to support the structure. I've never bought the excuse about how logistically diffult it would be for MCS to work, again, or the "it's too far from dowtown" excuse, particularly if you were able to land a single tenant for the office space. Sure, it'd be harder to attract law offices or something than it would in a downtown location, but not every office tenant needs that synergy.

Well-put.

[mousquet]

Originally Posted by dc_denizen

Better to use the billions to invest and develop property in Detroit. Detroit needs economic activity not charity.

Bah, successful businessmen to pay back society by their private charity initiatives is said to be something very American here.

I find it cool, but here in Europe, and in France in particular, mindset and approach in that matter are not exactly the same. It's up to public authorities to enforce so called charity, or social policies, cause locals are rather distrustful. Lol, they simply think personal initiatives can't make up for excessive greed, and that the rich won't ever be generous or understanding enough. For that reason, in my country, taxes keep hitting the rich and successful businesses pretty hard, which is quite awkward and often ineffective given the trend that currently runs global economy.

So, I couldn't tell who's right in that respect... Assuming both methods may be both right and wrong, depending on cases or situations. I think the rich are usually able of empathy to the poor anyway. There's no reason to disparage them as if they were lunatic psychopaths, but let's just put it this way: they're most often not in real touch with social realities because of social divides. Inequalities (the gap between the rich and the poor) are truly alarming in today's US society, as if people wouldn't live the same world depending on their bank accounts. That's a bit mad for real.

[Docta_Love]

Hopefully good news, this is if better owners are found. There are some significant/important buildings in his portfolio the Michigan Theater Building is the most famous (8 Mile).

30 Detroit properties owned by Kefallinos for sale
From the Michigan Theater to Harvard Square Centre

BY MICHELLE GOLDCHAIN
AUG 9, 2017
Curbed Detroit



For decades, Dennis Kefallinos has invested in Detroit real estate, but it looks like he’s now pulling out. Dozens of Kefallinos’ properties in Detroit and Hamtramck are now up for grabs, including the Harvard Square Centre high-rise and the Michigan Theater Building. Crain’s Detroit Business reported that Kefallinos is selling a total of 30 properties, or 2.3 million square feet on more than 100 acres of land.

None of Kefallinos’ residential properties are for sale. Part of the reason why is because almost all of them are tied up in lawsuits, according to MLive. The Russell Industrial Center property is also not on the market.

There are no reports yet on the reasoning behind this massive sale.

Below, see the full list of properties that are now on the market:

Roosevelt Hotel (2250 14th Street)

Shapero Hall, former Wayne State University school building (1401 Rivard Street)

Harvard Square Centre (1346 Broadway Street)

Michigan Theater Building (220 Bagley Street)

Perlex building (2821 E. Grand Boulevard)

227 Adelaide Street

Former Burton International School/Franklin Elementary School (1333 Pine Street)

Former Caesar Chavez school (1548 Porter Street)

Vacant riverfront property (1801 W. Fort Street)

Industrial building (1221 Rosa Parks Boulevard)

Former distribution building (1982 W. Jefferson Avenue)

Former southwest Detroit hospital (2401 20th Street)

Topor's Pickle and Food Service building (2850 Standish Street)

Fairmont Creamery building (600 E. Milwaukee Avenue)

Perlex building (2821 E. Grand Boulevard)

Russell Street industrial building (5845 Russell Street)

Office building (10201 Joseph Campau Avenue)

Southern Fires restaurant building (575 Bellevue Street)

Goeschel Building (3230 Gratiot Avenue)

Former Pfeiffer Brewing Co. building (3700 Beaufait Street)

Bellevue industrial property (2425 Bellevue Street)

Former Joe's Marine building (547 Lycaste Street)

Former Midwest Cabinet and Counter property (630 Lycaste Street)

Former Anna M. Joyce Elementary School building (8411 Sylvester Street)

Former southwest Detroit YMCA building (1601 Clark Street)

Former Roberts Brass Co. building (5435 W. Fort Street)

Former Wayne Foundry and Stamping Co. building (3100 Hubbard Street)

Building (3944, 3948, and 3950 Michigan Avenue)

Former Thorn Apple Valley slaughterhouse (2902 Orleans Street)

Land (1825 Division Street)

Former Hoban Cold Storage Co. property (1599 E. Warren Avenue)

https://detroit.curbed.com/2017/8/9/...ramck-for-sale

City kicks off mission to board up 11,000 blighted houses

By Annalise Frank and Chad Livengood
Crain's Detroit Business
August 10, 2017



The city of Detroit plans to board up 11,000 blighted homes over the next two years, Mayor Mike Duggan announced Thursday at a kick-off event in the southwest neighborhood of Boynton.

The launch comes two days after Duggan and state Sen. Coleman Young II advanced in the mayoral election primary. Duggan carried a healthy lead — 67 percent — but serious questions remain over whether the mayor has done enough for Detroiters living outside the city's rapidly developing downtown.

Called the Board Up Brigades, this most recent initiative is part of Duggan's work over the past several months to answer that very question.

"It's probably something we should have done before," Duggan said Thursday after kicking off of the program.

The mayor said in May that his administration planned to board up houses that weren't in the immediate pipeline for demolition within the next six months, Crain's reported.

Under the plan, all of Detroit's estimated 25,000 blighted homes would be torn down, rehabilitated or secured, according to a city news release. About 9,000 are set for demolition, 5,000 would be rehabbed and then occupied and the 11,000 or so remaining would be boarded up.

The two-year board-up project will cost about $9 million, which comes from general fund money that is designated for blight removal, city spokesman John Roach said.

...

The city's Department of Neighborhoods has hired 22 workers for the Board Up Brigades crews, including 13 Detroiters who were previously incarcerated, Duggan said at the event. The city plans to hire a total of 40 people — up to 20 of them people returning from prison — as well as contract with two yet-to-be-determined community organizations.

Board Up Brigades workers said they're making between $10 and $13 an hour.

...

About 40,000 abandoned homes dotted the city's landscape in January 2014, according to the release. About 12,000 have been demolished and 3,000 rehabbed since then.

[Docta_Love]

Tony Hawk test drives new Wayfinding skatepark in Detroit

By ANNALISE FRANK
August 15, 2017
Crain's Detroit Business


(Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk tested out the new Wayfinding skatepark Tuesday at a media preview event for the Wednesday opening of the public park and art installation created by artist Ryan McGinness. Hawk helped design the park.)


The temporary skatepark Tony Hawk helped bring to the future Monroe Blocks development in downtown Detroit could spur creation of more permanent skating infrastructure in the city, the professional skateboarder said Tuesday.

Wayfinding, a 4,600-square-foot skatepark and art installation opens to the public Wednesday.

....

The temporary public park will be located at 100 Monroe Ave. near Campus Martius until the first phase of construction on the two-block Monroe project starts in early 2018, Bedrock President Dan Mullen said. Then it will be winter and the moveable skatepark will likely shift to an indoor location, Mullen said.



"I feel like (Wayfinding) is gonna be a catalyst for other projects," Hawk told Crain's. Asked if he planned to involve himself in future Detroit skatepark endeavors, Hawk said he hoped for a move toward installing skateparks in the city that are more official and "not gonna get torn down." He referenced the "Wig project," a skatepark at the former Wigle Recreation Center site whose days are numbered: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced in April that a $77 million development was planned for the location on the west side of Midtown. Hawk visited the Wig last August, according to his Instagram account.

"I feel like skating is something that is definitely a big part of Detroit, but something that hasn't been very well supported in terms of facilities, so this is one step in that right direction," Hawk said, speaking to an audience before he donned his helmet, grabbed his board and hit the ramps.

It looks from his Instagram that Hawk visited the Ride It Sculpture Park project while in Detroit this week. In 2013, the Tony Hawk Foundation awarded $30,000 to the Ride It Sculpture Park project along the Davison Freeway.

Hawk, a California native, and his family bought a home in the Woodbridge neighborhood in 2016.

"It's no secret we purchased a place here and we love it every time (we visit)," he said

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...ark-in-detroit

Woodward Dream Cruise to drive nearly $240 million into local economy

By KURT NAGL
Crain's Detroit Business
August 15, 2017



As the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, which marks its 23rd year this week, continues to grow it is expected to inject nearly $240 million into the metro Detroit economy — an annual impact rivaled only by the North American International Auto Show, the Metro Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau says.

Spanning 16 miles of Woodward Avenue from Pontiac to Ferndale, the cruise of classic and muscle cars is expected to attract more than 1.3 million people and 40,000 cars, according to the MDCVB.

"It really ties in with our heritage," said Michael O'Callaghan, vice president and COO of the MDCVB. "The cruise is a message that the region is healthy and remains the capital of the auto industry."

The bureau estimates that 26 percent of visitors — 338,000 people — come from out of the region, spending a total of $84 million. About 36 percent stay overnight, booking a total of 122,000 room nights. More than 960,000 local attendees are expected to spend $153 million.

"It's arguably the biggest week of the year for metro Detroit," O'Callaghan said, adding that the days leading up to the event pack in just as much party and excitement.

The events officially kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Ferndale. The actual cruise runs 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday.

Traffic jams and high energy are a mainstay, but there are a few new elements to this year's cruise.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...-local-economy

[LMich]

This comeback has been kind of under the radar for years, now, but up Woodward, Pontiac has been storming back:

Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com

Thousands of jobs, billions of investment headed for Pontiac, developers say

By Dana Afana | MLive.com

August 16, 2017

PONTIAC -- Pontiac's leaders say the city is on the verge of making major strides toward a comeback as a major economic hub in Metro Detroit.

The city's resurgence, however, won't be based on an over reliance on auto manufacturing this time, and instead supported by a series of developments and corporate moves diversifying its economy.

Waterman noted Downtown Pontiac will see an additional spur of developments and businesses in the city, including emerging tech hub and 3D printing industries, "particularly Peter Karmanos (who) brought in the five Maddog consortium of high-tech industries."

By 2018, Williams International, an aerospace defense contractor will move its headquarters to Pontiac from Commerce Township, bringing 500 jobs and a $1.5-billion investment over eight years, Waterman said.

Troy-based United Shore, a wholesale mortgage brokerage firm, announce plant to move headquarters and 2,100 jobs to Pontiac, Waterman added. Construction will begin in January.

Southfield-based developer REDICO is also constructing the Village at Bloomfield on a failed $500-million retail and housing development site. The previous developer spent nearly $300 million on the site, formerly dubbed "Bloomfield Park," but halted construction in 2008.


Tanya Mouztalias | MLive.com

[animatedmartian]

Latvian-American and Detroit-based architect Gunnar Birkerts has passed away at the age of 92. Arriving in the Detroit area during 1949, his time spent here helped add a dose of modernism to the cityscape. His works include;

1300 Lafayette (guy in the middle),


https://1300lafayetteeast.com/

University of Detroit Fisher Brothers Administration Center

http://www.michiganmodern.org/buildi...tration-center

IBM regional offices in Southfield,

IBM Regional Office Building, Southfield (1975) Gunnar Birkerts by Michigan State Historic Preservation Office, on Flickr
http://www.michiganmodern.org/buildi...ffice-building

...and the Calvary Baptist Church in Elmwood Park.


http://www.infinitemiledetroit.com/3..._06_48207.html http://www.michiganmodern.org/buildi...baptist-church

Other works include designs he created while working for Perkins and Will, Eero Saarinen, and Minoru Yamasaki. Quite a few in the Detroit area, many in the Midwest, and some in Europe. RIP to a great local architect.

It seems like Detroit is known for it's 100 year old architecture, but there is quite a lot of modernism built during the middle part of the 20th century. Though it's also when Detroit had its greatest suburban expansion so many cool and unique buildings get lost in the far spreading blandness of suburbia. Well, here's hoping to another 100 years of great architecture in Detroit.

[Docta_Love]

Midtown’s Cathedral Tower will be renovated for $12M
The delivery is slated for 2020

BY MICHELLE GOLDCHAIN
AUG 7, 2017
Curbed Detroit



Starting early 2019, Midtown’s affordable housing development, Cathedral Tower, is going to get a $12 million renovation.

Currently, the 1972-built building offers 236 residential units, targeted for households making 80 percent or less of the area median income. Once the renovations are complete by 2020, the building, located at 80 E. Hancock Street, will offer upgraded kitchens and bathrooms, new windows, and updated heating and cooling systems, as reported by Crain’s Detroit Business. The building’s units will also shift to those making 60 percent or less of the area median income.

Crain’s Detroit Business reported, “[This is] the first affordable housing scheduled to be renovated using financing in part from Dan Gilbert's Bedrock LLC under an agreement approved by the city late last month.”

https://detroit.curbed.com/2017/8/7/...wer-renovation

[Docta_Love]

Now this would be cool

Aretha Franklin in talks with Bedrock to open nightclub in Detroit
By TYLER CLIFFORD
Crain's Detroit Business
August 17, 2017

While legendary singer Aretha Franklin plans to retire this year and move from her Bloomfield Hills home back to Detroit, her longtime desire to open a nightclub in her hometown is taking shape.

The Queen of Soul told the Detroit Free Press that she is working with Dan Gilbert-owned Bedrock Detroit LLC to find just the right spot.

"Bedrock would love to work with Aretha and we look forward to hearing her ideas for a club downtown," President Dan Mullen said in a statement Thursday.

The 75-year-old Grammy-winning entertainer wants to call the small club Aretha's, where she would perform "from time to time" and host other performers, she told Detroit Free Press.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...lub-in-detroit

[LMich]

Oh, that would be really good. I'd like to see a grown-folks club in downtown or close to it.

[LMich]

Someone over at urbanplanet is saying that the site for The Ashton in the west end of downtown is fenced off and signaged is up:







The Ashton includes 96 luxury apartments (including 5 penthouse suites), ground floor retail, and parking. The fourth floor includes a grassed outdoor terrace and indoor fitness and yoga rooms, an indoor pool, concierge and an outdoor wooden deck on the opposite side the building as the grassed terrace.

In other news, the owner of the Fisher Building in New Center are renovating the parking garage, which included a giant mural being painted:


Courtesy of The Platform

[Docta_Love]

Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue building starts power washing, facade improvements

BY ROBIN RUNYAN
AUG 18, 2017
Curbed Detroit



Located in the heart of a lot of redevelopment and improvements going on in Detroit, one of the most recognizable and unique buildings downtown is getting spruced up. The Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, the cool triangular building with the colorful windows, is finally getting power washed with exterior improvements on the way.



Executive Director Arlene Frank tells Curbed that the alley side and north side were washed last week and the front facade this week. More improvements are coming this fall, with a roof replacement and new fire escape. In the spring, expect a large mural to be painted on the back wall. Frank says she’s not sure if/when the building has undergone a power washing like this (does anyone out there know?)

The building is situated close to many major renovations downtown. It’s just down the street from the David Stott Building, and you can see the Book Tower, which has undergone its own power washing for the first time in decades, behind the Synagogue. Across the street is 28 Grand, and many other buildings in the Capitol Park district continue to undergo renovations.

https://detroit.curbed.com/2017/8/18...e-improvements

The Platform to convert Fisher Building floor to subsidized studios for local creatives

By SHERRI WELCH
Crain's Detroit Business
August 17, 2017



The Fisher Building, a work of art in its own right, will soon house new creative energy.

The Platform LLC is converting the fourth floor of the Fisher Building into space for local creatives and arts groups offered at subsidized rates for the first three years.

The historic building "has this incredible history around being the largest art object in Detroit," said Abir Ali, director of design and culture, The Platform, one of the companies redeveloping the Fisher Building. "We wanted to pay homage to that history."

Work began in November on a $100 million effort to restore the Fisher Building and redevelop the nearby Albert Kahn Building, each owned by Detroit-based The Platform, along with New York City-based HFZ Capital Partners and New York City-based Rheal Capital Management.

Creatives whose work is conducive with locating at the Fisher Building will be welcomed, from those in the fine arts of drawing, painting and sculpture to the literary arts, design, crafts, information and advocacy to performance groups in dance or even yoga practitioners.

The Platform is looking at the full spectrum of creatives, from individuals to collectives to organizations, Ali said.

Available studios will range from 250 square feet for individual studios to 2,750 square feet for group spaces accommodating about a dozen people. They'll start at $15 per square foot, with leases in the range of $350-$3,000 per month in year one and move up to the low $20s per square foot range after the three-year incubation term, Ali said.

The studios will be white box and ready for move in this fall.

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article...ed-studios-for