Detroit : Development News

About 15 metro Detroit cities, schools and community groups are sharing in tree-planting grants awarded by DTE and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

A total of 34 grants were awarded statewide. The amount of grants totaled $75,610 and will lead to the planting of more than 1,000 trees. Locally, communities such as Lincoln Park, Warren, Grosse Pointe Park and Pleasant Ridge will plant trees in the fall and spring.

Schools such as Commerce Elementary in Oakland County and Romeo Community Schools in Macomb County, as well as community groups such as the International Wildlife Refuge, Jefferson East Business Association and Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education, all in Wayne County, are also receiving grants.

The program is intended to increase the number of proper tree species and encourage properly planted trees and to also help reverse the loss of tree canopy in urban areas.

In the 15 years since the Michigan program began more than 20 million trees have been planted throughout the state, according to the DNR.

“The trees planted through this program will help to improve public areas in communities throughout the state,” said Kevin Sayers, coordinator of the DNR’s Urban Forestry Program. “This program also helps raise awareness about the importance of planting the right tree in the right location to avoid utility and tree conflicts.”

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Scott Simons, DTE Energy and Madhu Oberoi, executive director, Lincoln Park Downtown Development Authority

A plan to turn a busy 27-mile, automobile-loving stretch of Woodward Avenue into a road that's safe and welcoming for all forms of transportation is rolling along with a series of public planning events to begin soon.

The changes -- part of the Complete Streets approach that's happening in cities around Michigan and across the country -- would move Woodward away from a wide-swath of auto-centered roadway to one that's inviting and safe for bicyclists, pedestrians, disabled users, bus riders -- and, if it comes to pass, light rail passengers.

The Woodward Avenue Action Association, WA3, is heading up the effort in partnership with Parsons Brinckerhoff. Working with them are reps and policy makers from 11 Wayne and Oakland county municipalities that have Woodward running through them. The Michigan Department of Transportation, M1 Rail, and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments are also part of the project that's been in the works since August 2011 and has $752,000 in federal funding to work with.

The next step is to host five interactive public events, a design charrette, in several of the Woodward-connected communities. From those meetings could come a master plan that will determine what changes and updates are needed to accommodate public transit, pedestrians, bicyclists and, ideally, economic development.

“We want to create a street that truly works for everyone. Imagine a corridor that accommodates people of all ages and abilities, including pedestrians, bicyclists, seniors, mobility-challenged individuals, transit riders and motorists,” says Jason Fowler, WA3 and Woodward Complete Streets program manager. “By engaging the residents and businesses along the corridor, as well as industry experts in this visioning process, we can develop a wide variety of innovative solutions and create a successful master plan.”

The first meetings, a three-day event, will focus on north Woodward in Detroit from McNichols to 8 Mile and Ferndale and be held at St. James Catholic Church, 241 Pearson Street in Ferndale, April 17-19.

During the meetings in Ferndale, Dan Burden, a walkability expert from the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, will present a walking audit of Woodward and explain what lies ahead for a re-design he says "could be the single largest Complete Streets planning effort ever undertaken in North America.”

Other meetings will be held in Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills, May 20-22; in Bloomfield Township/Pontiac, June 3-5; Pleasant Ridge through Berkley, June 10-12; and in downtown Detroit/Highland Park, June 17-19.

Click on www.transformwoodward.com for exact locations, times and topics to be discussed.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Lori Ella Miller, spokesperson, Woodward Avenue Action Association

Troy-based Qstride is expanding to downtown Detroit, adding a new sales and marketing office to support its business intelligence and analytics services to clients.

The new office will be located inside the Chrysler House, formerly the Dime Building, on Griswold.

Employees in the new office will help Detroit-based companies increase performance with Qstride's Business Intelligence solutions, which Qstride says can help decision makers understand how insight into business data can boost the bottom line.

“We chose to open a new office in downtown Detroit because of its rapidly growing technology district, and to be a part of the revitalization of this city,” Shane Gianino, vice president of national business development at Qstride, says in a statement.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Chris Wojtylo, spokesman, Qstride

Wayne State University is expanding from its urban setting in Detroit, building a suburban campus in Warren and a relationship with Macomb Community College and nearby automotive companies.

WSU's Board of Regents approved a $12 million renovation of an existing building adjacent to MCC on 12 Mile Road. The renovation will turn the building there and surrounding 3.5 acre site into the Advanced Technology Education Center, or ATEC.

ATEC will offer four year degrees in marketable academic programs such as engineering, computer science, business, advanced manufacturing and other areas of study. The degrees will be complemented by the access to collaborations with nearby businesses.

Wayne State and MCC through ATEC will help create an electric vehicle technologies center of excellence where WSU and MCC faculty can research, develop programs and improve delivery of electric and automotive battery technologies. 

“We are excited about implementing this next phase of the university's education strategy in Macomb County, which will serve as a center of excellence and a national model for university–community college partnerships,”  Ahmad Ezzeddine, vice president of educational outreach and international programs at Wayne State University, says in a statement. “We look forward to working with our partners at Macomb Community College and the Macomb business community to develop and offer educational and research programs that meet the talent and workforce needs of Macomb and the State of Michigan.” 

Dates for construction or opening have not yet been set.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Wayne State University

After five years in the making as a favorite gift shop and little girls' party spot in west Dearborn, Sophia's Giftique has opened a second location, this one in Detroit.

The New Center store inside the office building on West Grand Boulevard and Woodward will offer a similar mix of personal and home accessories, gifts and holiday items as well as its speciality products, Simply Victoria, a handmade greeting card line designed by the mother of one owner, and B3 (Bath, Body, Beauty) which was created by the sister of that store owner.

The store offers free gift wrapping and host private princess parties, tea parties and is frequently the site of charity events.

Sophia's owners see the shop becoming a stop in a series of retail and eating establishments that line the walkways through the New Center that's connected to The Fisher, Cadillac Place and St. Regis Hotel.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Sophia's Giftique and West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority

Midtown Detroit's Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company is finishing up its first week as a coffee bar in a third location, this one in Lake Orion.

After the original in Detroit came one inside Bloomfield's Maple Theater. Its newest is inside Kensington Church on South Lapeer Road. It opened Jan. 30 and is serving up its special blends, fresh-roasted nearby.

It has a drive through and also serves swirlberry frozen yogurt and local products, such as pastries from Love & Buttercream in Royal Oak.

Besides adding physical locations, the company's online store is growing as well.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co.

State transportation officials see record Amtrak ridership in Michigan as a sign that the public is more aware of train service and seeing the future of commuter train travel in a more positive light.

In 2012, 792,769 passengers boarded Michigan's three Amtrak routes -- the Wolverine between Pontiac and Detroit/Chicago), the Blue Water between Port Huron and East Lansing/Chicago), and the Pere Marquette between Grand Rapids and Chicago. In 2011, that number was 780,655.

The record ridership also led to record revenue of $27.8 million in 2012, a year that had Amtrak adding extra trains to supplement the regular service.

It comes as plans to bring light rail in to Woodward Avenue downtown Detroit move toward implementation and a move to bring a regional commuter train system to metro Detroit and to Michigan and nearby states moves from a limp to a steady walk. Both are aided by federal funds from a program that endorses mass transit development as an economic stimulant. But with Michigan being a stronghold for auto travel, it's been a tough sell in some parts.

At the same time, Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation have been updating trains and making changes to allow for faster travel speeds and fewer route interruptions that will in turn make train travel more appealing.


Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Janet Foran, spokesperson, Michigan Department of Transportation

After seven successful years in Detroit's Midtown, Canine to Five has expanded to Ferndale, bringing its day care, cageless overnight boarding and play place to another part of metro Detroit.

Canine to Five Ferndale opens Jan. 28 at 2141 Hilton Road with 4,000 square feet of indoor play and sleep area for as many as 60 dogs coming for day care, or space for 40 dogs in overnight, cage-free boarding. Another 1,400 square feet of outdoor space is connected to the indoor area.

More than a business, Canine to Five is a community connection that brings together dog lovers who want to give their dogs a place to socialize.

“Canine to Five has grown to be more than just a daycare facility. We are a community center for dogs that holds play dates, educational seminars and other events. We want to make sure our new Ferndale location is a similar resource for our customers and community,” founder and owner Liz Blondy says.

Canine to Five is planning several special, grand opening events, including an open $5 per dog play date on Valentine's Day. The center will also offer special dog care courses such as animal first aid and other events.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Liz Blondy, owner, Canine to Five Detroit and Ferndale

Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company is adding a third location to its coffee bar line-up, opening a Lake Orion location within a few weeks.

The company known for its artisan roasting and belief in organic and fairly traded coffees - as well as a sweet seasonal offerings of unique beans throughout the year - first store opened on Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit. It's billed as the Institute for Advanced Drinking and is a retail storefront and purveyor of coffee, beer, wine and cocktails.

Its second location on Maple Road in Bloomfield Hills attracts coffee connoisseurs to the Clover Coffee Machine, the gold standard in individual drip coffee makers, often before a jaunt to the newly renovated Maple Theater.

The Lake Orion location expands the reach of the roasters at Great Lakes Coffee, which is  hiring managers and baristas for the new store.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Great Lakes Roasting Co.

As regional transit authority legislation moves through Lansing, plans are going forward to bring rapid transit to the 27-mile stretch of the Woodward Avenue Corridor from Jefferson Avenue in Detroit to downtown Pontiac.

Several meetings will be hosted by the Woodward Avenue Action Association, the Michigan Suburbs Alliance and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and are part of an "alternative analysis, the first step in the process of developing a transit system," says Richard Murphy, programs director Michigan Suburbs Alliance.

The meetings, especially the comments from attendees, will be folded in with technical data, cost and other considerations, he says, as decisions about the exact route, the technology to be used, the station locations as well as connections to the M-1 Rail Streetcar project, high speed rail service and Complete Streets are wrapped into an overall plan.

"We’ll be talking about the purpose and need for the project…What is it that we need transit to do on Woodward and laying out the roadmap for the rest of the work. Over the course of 2013, we’ll have
additional meetings around major steps in the process," Murphy says.

Upcoming meetings are:

Thursday, December 6, 5-7 p.m., Baldwin Public Library, 300 West Merrill Street, Birmingham.
Tuesday, December 11, 4-6 p.m., Detroit Palmer Park Police Station, 12th Precinct, 1441 W. Seven Mile Road.
Wednesday, December 12, 6-8 p.m., Ferndale Public Library, 222 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale
Saturday, December 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Bowen Senior Center, 52 Bagley Street, Pontiac.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Richard Murphy, programs director, Michigan Suburbs Alliance

As efforts to improve passenger rail service between Pontiac and Jackson and Washtenaw and Livingston counties plugs along refurbished commuter rail cars are being tested on Amtrak lines.

Six bi-level, stainless steel cars, refurbished at a cost of $310,000 each by Owosso-based Great Lakes Central Railroad, came from Illinois and will eventually be used on the proposed Detroit-to-Ann Arbor line that is being planned by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and on the WALLY line between Livingston and Washtenaw counties, a project of the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority.

The refurbished cars were previously used by METRA, the northeast Illinois community rail system. They were paid for with federal and state grant from Departments of Transportation that are pushing commuter rail improvements as economic and community development.

Funding for the proposed commuter rail services is not yet lined up, but the testing is a step in the process to obtain funding.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Janet Foran, Communications, Michigan Department of Transportation

In about seven years Canine To Five has become a Midtown Detroit institution, not only making itself a favorite day care and dog groomer for dog owners but a vital part of that Detroit neighborhood. 

The continued business growth of Canine To Five has prompted owner Liz Blondy to export the business to Ferndale, another community she wants to be a part of, both civically and personally.

The first outpost of Canine to Five is expected to open in December at 2141 Hilton, and renovations have already started for the facility.

The Midtown location is also expanding. Betweenserving both urban and suburban clientele, Blondy will be adding nine new positions.

Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Liz Blondy, owner, Canine To Five

As plans to improve a 304-mile stretch of passenger rail line that runs through Michigan, Illinois and Indiana move forward, the public is invited to participate in the process that determines what the local impact will be.

For metro Detroiters, the Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Passenger Rail Corridor could offer connections to places that improve economic situations or quality of life, but it could also affect neighborhoods.

A series of meetings will be held this month and hosted by the three states' Departments of Transportation. The meetings will explain more about the proposal to make changes to the line and also take comments from the public. They will also offer possible route alternatives and identify potential issues that should be considered in the planning. They are required as part of the plan formation and environmental impact assessment to be done before construction can begin.

The rail improvements come as several metro Detroit communities, including Detroit, Pontiac, Troy, Dearborn, and the federal government have invested in new transportation stations that have brought economic benefit to cities around the
country by opening up access to jobs, education and affordable transportation.

According to GreatLakesRail, "the purpose of the program is to improve intercity mobility by providing an improved passenger rail service that would be a competitive transportation alternative to automobile, bus and air service between Chicago and Detroit/Pontiac…The program will provide sufficient information for the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) to potentially support future decisions to fund and implement a major investment in the passenger rail corridor."

The local meeting will be held Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 7 pm. at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel, 5801 Southfield Expressway, Detroit.

Comments about the changes can also be shared online at GreatLakesRail.org or by telephone, 877-351-0853.

Source: Janet Foran, communications, Michigan Department of Transportation
Writer: Kim North Shine

A Rouge River island with a deep history and a washed up appearance is looking better than it has in years, and though it's more industrial than natural its become a place of interest for recreational water users and environmentalists.

Fordson Island, an 8.4 acre piece of land born in the early 1920s when a channel was dug by the Army Corps of Engineers to increase shipping transportation, fell into decline in the 1970s after the water levels dropped, sediment rose and residents left.

Rundown homes, dozens of old and rusty boats and poor water quality were discovered years later, and a now two-three year old effort by several organizations, including AKT Peerless, an environmental and energy consulting firm; NOAA, the marine debris division National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority; and Friends of the Rouge have removed tons of debris, literally, which has resulted in an improvement in water quality.

Slowly, the island, although private, is starting to attract nature lovers and kayakers, along with fish and other wildlife. Hundreds of volunteers have removed many many cubic yards of junk and garbage, and water testing has shown an improvement in the amount of pollution.

Several goals have been set, including the return of fish once common to the area.

The island is about 3 miles inland from the Detroit River on the River Rouge owned by the city of Dearborn and accessible only by boat or a one-lane bridge from Detroit.

Source: Tim McGahey, regional manager of operations for Southeast Michigan at AKT Peerless
Writer: Kim North Shine

A $15.8 million project will add a new track between Detroit and Dearborn, giving Amtrak passengers and freight cars their own dedicated lines.

The changes to the West Detroit Connection Track, which is the key link between the new Dearborn multi-modal transportation station and Detroit's station downtown, were OK'd by the federal Department of Transportation last week. Feds will pay for half the project and the Michigan Department of Transportation will pay the other half as they look for ways to alleviate a bottleneck on portions of the track.

The West Detroit Connection Track is also a key part of the Detroit to Chicago line, known as Amtrak's Wolverine line.

The project, which will break ground later this year, will alleviate a bottleneck that is increasing waiting times for trains, costing companies money and slowing down travelers.

Carmine Palombo, director of transportation programs for the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, says the changes make sense economically because they allow goods and people to move more quickly and efficiently.

"When you have 10 minute and more delays that are caused by the bottleneck that is there now, that is huge," Palombo says.

But metro Detroit and Michigan are still a long way off from trains carrying coffee-drinking, newspaper reading commuters. Improvements such as new stations, including in Dearborn, Detroit, Troy and Pontiac, as well as changes to increase train speeds up to 110 mph, are lining up to make Michigan a train-riding state.

"It's all part of the overall series of events to improve passenger service," he says.

As of now, the line is mostly for travelers and freight. He says a commuter train between Detroit and Ann Arbor is inching along but still far from a done deal.

"Part of what happens now is existing Amtrak trains start in Pontiac and go to Chicago…The problem is the times are not conducive for a lot of commuters .. The times are geared for getting you to Chicago, not points in between. And the costs are not necessarily in step with what commuters want to pay."

He says legislation that will have the state of Michigan financially supporting the train service could change that.
"When that happens we can have a little more say in the schedules and how that service is run," Palombo says.

In the meantime, the feds, who are executing President Barak Obama's High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program, see the project as a way to address congestion of the Midwest Regional Rail Network and promote alternative forms of transportation and to create jobs and spur economic development.

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation and Carmine Palombo director of transportation programs, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
Writer: Kim North Shine