Pedestrians walking along Main Street in downtown Royal Oak might notice the historic storefront with the hole in it. A big hole in it. A hole so big there are only walls and a roof. Meet 309 Main St.

Work began on the 2-story storefront a few weeks ago. It has since grown into a tear-out of the interior, and the builder has started fresh with a couple of walls and a roof.

"Once they got into it, they might have underestimated the repairs they needed to make." says Joseph Murphy, a city planner with Royal Oak.

One of the partners in the development is Sergio Easmjian, owner of downtown-based Metals in Time. An attempt to reach him about the project was unsuccessful.

The circa 1907 building has 9,800 square feet evenly divided between two floors. Its ground floor has served as a retail space, with office space upstairs. The city has given its blessing for the project to basically re-create that design.

"It will be brand new this time," Murphy says.

Source: Joseph Murphy, a city planner with Royal Oak
Writer: Jon Zemke

Rubber, meet road. The two are about to establish contact when it comes to the future of the Mellus Newspapers building.

The Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance is letting loose a public call for developers, building huggers or anyone else who is interested in redeveloping, or helping to redevelop, the historic building in downtown Lincoln Park. City officials have set a Sept. 1 deadline for demolition bids to turn the building plot into a surface parking lot.

While city officials state the building is beyond help, local preservationists have brought a number of respected architects forward to say it could be easily restored. Ideas have ranged from an arts center to a retail incubator for fledgling businesses in need of just a little space, but the Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance is open to all ideas.

"The object is to save the building," says Leslie Lynch-Wilson, president of the Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance. "We think it would be cool if someone is interested in our vision of having a retail incubator but we want to see the building restored. If someone wanted to put offices in there it would be fine."

What could be a key, and lucrative, part to any rehabilitation plan are Michigan's newly expanded historic tax credits. Since the Mellus is on the National Register of Historic Places, it could be eligible for historic and brownfield tax credits that could knock up to 50 percent of the construction costs off the project.

The single-story building on Fort Street was built in the 1940s. It is an intrinsic part of the downriver suburb's history, serving as the home of Lincoln Park's local newspaper for decades. Local preservationists think saving the Mellus and the adjacent Pollak (named after Pollak Jewelers) building is an important step toward preserving downtown Lincoln Park's heritage.

The Mellus still has its original porcelain-enameled Moderne commercial exterior while the Pollak building retains its terrazzo entrance sidewalk.

For information, contact Lynch-Wilson at LALynch@wideopenwest.com or (313) 598-3137.

Source: Leslie Lynch-Wilson, president of the Lincoln Park Preservation Alliance
Writer: Jon Zemke

Another building owner in downtown Wyandotte is getting ready for a renovation thanks to a new, innovative tax break.

Leo Stevenson owns the 2-story building that houses Good Eats Cafe and Grille, 125 Elm St. He bought it a year ago and began restoring it. Good Eats came along shortly afterward. The second floor space isn't so easy.

"It was pretty obsolete when we purchased it," Stevenson says.

It had once served as the office for a law firm, but has been vacant for several years. The market for upper-floor commercial space in small downtowns has fallen dramatically, so Stevenson wants to take it in another direction.

He plans to turn the 1,500 square feet into a two-bedroom apartment. The idea is that residential space in the city's center has been and continues to be popular.

"The residential market in downtown Wyandotte is very good," Stevenson says. "Actually, there are no vacancies."

The city is laying the groundwork to drive up this supply with a new Neighborhood Enterprise Zone. The plan, which could go into effect as early as August, would make the entire downtown a special NEZ.

Normal property owners have to pay 48 mills of taxes. But those in this newly proposed NEZ wouldn't have to pay any extra tax assessment for improving existing upper floors. Those who build new floors will pay only 17 mills on the new space. Stevenson plans to begin construction as soon as the NEZ is passed

Source: Leo Stevenson, owner of the Good Eats Cafe and Grill building
Writer: Jon Zemke

The Woodward Avenue Action Association is ready to spend some big money to put new faces on Michigan's Main Street.

The non-profit has $116,000 at its fingertips for facade improvements of structures along the Woodward Corridor from the Detroit River to downtown Pontiac. WA3 is taking applications for facade-improvement projects until Aug. 14.

About $45,000 of those funds comes from the city of Detroit and will be used to improve facades along Woodward between 6 and 8 Mile roads. The rest comes from the  National Scenic Byway, courtesy of the federal government. The $71,000 can be used for the entire stretch of Woodward.

"This is the second phase of the grant," says Nicole Brown, outreach and promotions coordinator for the Woodward Avenue Action Association.

The first phase of the grant, awarded earlier this year, gave tens of thousands of dollars to a number of communities along the Woodward Corridor. Among the winners were the New Center Council for facade improvements, the city of Pontiac for new trees and landscaping at the entrance to downtown, and to the University of Detroit Mercy and Bloomfield Hills for landscaping improvements.

For information on the grants, call (248) 288-2004.

Source: Nicole Brown, outreach and promotions coordinator for the Woodward Avenue Action Association
Writer: Jon Zemke

The Detroit Zoo is upgrading its fleet of golf carts, getting rid of the traditional gas powered vehicles and replacing them with solar-elecric hybrids.

The golf carts, 40 in all, are used by staff for everything from maintenance to landscaping to park safety at the 125-acre Zoo just west of downtown Royal Oak. Making the switch is expected to save 450 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

The solar-electric hybrid golf carts use a regenerative braking system that recycles power in the cart each time someone hits the brakes, and are equipped with solar panels for battery charging.

Source: Detroit Zoo
Writer: Jon Zemke

Oakland County is beginning to publish its stock of foreclosed buildings electronically to prepare them for auction. However, at least one Oakland County official would like to see this process changed -- with a land bank.

Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner sees a number of things wrong with the auction process. It's why he is pushing for Oakland County to form a land bank, as many other Michigan communities have done, to handle its problem properties.

"There are some perils with the auction approach," Meisner says.

For instance, speculators are scooping up large batches of these homes and, at best, turning them into rentals. More than people like to admit end up falling further into blight and becoming eyesores, weakening what were once otherwise strong neighborhoods. Meisner says this sort of speculation is the junk food of the real estate market, supplying short-term profits at the expense of long-term investment.

"We're rolling up our sleeves and trying to get families in those houses," Meisner says.

He adds that a land bank gives local officials the power to package parcels and sell them to a developer or even ensure that individual buildings end up in the hands of local residents. Right now he is trying to build up awareness about the idea, and hopes to begin a legislative push for one later this year.

Source: Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner
Writer: Jon Zemke

Macomb Community College is expanding in the sustainability field with a new career academy program for teens between the ages of 15 and 19.

The class will focus on the growing field of renewable energy, including green building. The students will take part in a number of hands-on projects, such as the construction of a windmill and solar panel power generation. They will also visit and tour a renewable energy facility.

Registration in the program costs $120. So far eight of the 15 spots have been reserved but school officials don't expect that to last long.

"We went through the same growing pains with our bio-technology program three years ago," says Ed Stanton, director of secondary school outreach at Macomb Community College. "Now we have a waiting list for it."

The class will run between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. from Aug. 10-13 at the college's South Campus in Warren. For information, contact Stanton at stantone@macomb.edu or at (586) 445-7640.

Source: Ed Stanton, director of secondary school outreach at Macomb Community College
Writer: Jon Zemke

One of downtown Detroit's hidden parks is about to get a makeover.

Excerpt:

The temporary use of Capitol Park as downtown's bus terminal has ceased with the opening of the Rosa Park Terminal -- which is good news for the tiny urban park surrounded by a remarkably intact collection of historic buildings.

The designs for park improvements are being finalized, says Detroit Economic Growth Corporation project manager Malik Goodwin, and include improved sidewalks, landscaping and the relocation of the statue and remains of Gov. Stevens T. Mason to a more prominent spot.

Read the rest of the story here.

The Jolly Pumpkin microbrewery is expanding (not moving) into downtown Ann Arbor.

Excerpt:

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales is happy to announce an expansion into downtown Ann Arbor.

The Dexter-based microbrewery plans to take over the old Peppers bar space at 311 S Main St. The idea is to open an eatery side to the business, complementing its traditional production facilities in Dexter.

"It's an additional unit we're adding," says Ron Jefferies, owner, founder, and brewer of Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales. "It's a restaurant with a small brewery but most of the beer is coming from Dexter."

Read the rest of the story here.

A space for the dead has gotten a second lease on life at the University of Michigan.

Excerpt:

Washtenaw County has a newer and bigger facility for you to "bring out your dead," now that the University of Michigan Health System has renovated and expanded its morgue.

U-M and the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner partnered on the $1.35 million project. The newly expanded facility should double the number of autopsies (600) that university and county staff handle annually.

"It's brighter. The layout is better. There is a lot more space," says Dr. Jeffery Jentzen, director of U-M’s autopsy and forensic services. We have been able to double our capactiy and we could probably do more than that."

Read the rest of the story here.

Work is well underway at the Masonic Arts Center, which could open during the Holiday Season.

Construction workers are busy creating space for all sorts of artists in the historic Masonic Temple just outside of downtown. At the same time, local artists are lining up for space there.

"We have a lot of people who are interested," says Patt Slack, owner of the River's Edge Gallery and one of the main proponents behind the Masonic Arts Center.

The city plans to turn the 3-story building into an arts incubator of sorts. The original idea was to turn the basement and first floor of the structure into a place for visual artists. The second and third floors, which house a stage, would be renovated to facilitate performance arts. It would serve as a central base for early stage artists in the downriver area. The organizers behind this effort hope to have everything done by the end of the year.

Wyandotte purchased the building at 81 Chestnut St., just outside of downtown, in 2007. It has been creating plans and lining up funding since then. The structure dates backs to the 19th Century and originally served as a Masonic temple. More recently it was home to the Church of Many Miracles.

Source: Patt Slack, owner of Rivers Edge Gallery
Writer: Jon Zemke

The Salvation Army looks to be the salvation to one of the city of Pontiac's old buildings.

The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division plans to turn the old Wallace E. Holland Center into its Pontiac base. That means the non-profit will rehab and expand the existing space, at a cost of $3 million.

The building on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. was originally constructed in the mid 1980s. The Salvation Army plans to raze 3,300 of the building's original 17,984 square feet. After that it plans another 10,248-square-foot addition to house its Oakland County services.

Bids are expected to go out later this summer. Work could begin as early as this falll and is expected to take 8-9 months to finish.

Source: Kelly Wirebaugh, a director for the Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division
Writer: Jon Zemke

Oakland University’s Meadow Brook Hall is undergoing an urban agriculture makeover this summer.

Student volunteers and staff are working on establishing gardens and green spaces around the Hall on the university's campus in Rochester Hills. The group has created a garden and a variety of organic compost piles. It is also identifying and implementing new sustainable practices.

The compost piles are providing the fertilizer and top soil needed to grow the vegetables in the garden, including tomatoes, bell peppers and pumpkins. They will be harvested and used in the hall's food preparation.

Source: Oakland University
Writer: Jon Zemke

Work on the McNut Building is wrapping up in downtown Farmington. What once was a dreary single-story structure is now a spic-and-span, 2-floor building, thanks to a new façadectomy.

"There are a couple of details that need to be tweaked, but it's ready to be photographed," says Steven Schneemann, owner of S3 Architecture, which designed the new façade.

The century-old structure next to the Civic Theatre served as the home of Books Abound near the intersection of Grand River Avenue and Farmington Road before going vacant a few years ago. An ugly mid-20th Century façade covered it for most of that time.

A new face returns it to its original brick look, with a second story false front to boot. The nearby Exchange Building underwent a similar transformation last year.

The 1,600-square-foot structure is being renovated to accommodate an office tenant. The space is still available.

Source: Steven Schneemann, owner of S3 Architecture
Writer: Jon Zemke

Upper story lofts will be appearing soon in downtown Wyandotte, with the Lofts at Willow Tree staking out a place at the front of the line.

Gilbert "Gib" Rose plans to build the four-loft development above his Willow Tree Women's Fashions store at 3000 Biddle. The apartments will go on the 3,800-square-foot second floor, which was occupied by a salon until last year. It has been vacant ever since.

"There is just very little demand for second-floor commercial space in small downtowns," Rose says. "There is significant demand for residential space."

The deal hinges on the city passing a special Neighborhood Enterprise Zone tax break for the downtown. The NEZ would allow landlords like Rose to redevelop vacant second-floor-and-above space in commercial buildings into apartments without seeing their taxes go up.

Rose hopes to build four apartments, including a couple of two-bedroom lofts and two single-room lofts. Work is expected to begin after the NEZ is passed, which could be as soon as August.

Source: Gilbert "Gib" Rose, developer of the Lofts at Willow Tree
Writer: Jon Zemke

If you didn't pay attention to the Falcon Cam this spring then you missed not only one miracle but two.

That's how many baby falcons were born and raised on one of downtown Mt. Clemens' highest perches – the 11th floor of the Macomb County building. Hathor and Nick, Peregrine Falcons, are teaching their two not-so-little-anymore hatchlings how to fly and hunt over the Macomb County seat right now.

"They're just hanging around the building, flying around," says Phil Frame, a spokesman for Macomb County.

Frame set up a web cam just inside of the window, a few feet from the nest. It gives an up-close view of the birds' life to anyone with an Internet connection, and has been up and running since 2005 when Hathor set up her first nest. It also served as the county's first webcast.

Source: Phil Frame, spokesman for Macomb County
Writer: Jon Zemke

Work is about to begin on the replacement of the Baldwin Avenue Bridge in Birmingham.

City officials plan to close it down for construction on Aug. 3 and work is expected to wrap up by November. Birmingham is gearing up to do a lot of work on its bridges this summer, including improvements to the West Maple Road, Oak Street and Lakeside Drive North bridges. The biggest project is the $700,000 replacement of the Baldwin Bridge.

It dates back to the 1920s and has been showing decades' worth of wear and tear for a while now. Gone will be the narrow, one-lane bridge, replaced by a two-lane span with a 5-foot-wide sidewalk. The city plans to recreate the historic arch underneath with a stone-cut façade. It has done this with four other bridge replacements.

Source: City of Birmingham
Writer: Jon Zemke

Big money has already started to roll in for the College for Creative Studies Argonaut Building redevelopment, but the university is looking for more.

Excerpt:

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) has launched "Advancing the Creative Spirit",a $55 million capital campaign to support the redevelopment of the Argonaut Building.

The good news? They've already raised $36 million, or 65 percent, of that total. The building will be named the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, after the campaign's largest donor to date, A. Alfred Taubman, who has chipped in $15 million. Other large donors that have stepped to the plate are the Benson and Edith Ford Foundation ($5 million), Kresge Foundation ($4 million), New Economy Initiative ($3 million) and Compuware ($1 million).

Read the rest of the story here.

Dominick's is gearing up for some significant changes in the long term.
 
Excerpt:

One of Ann Arbor's longtime institutions is gearing up for what could shape up to be some significant changes.

Casa Dominick's, a popular local drinking institution for students and townies, is jumping through the hoops for a PUD (planned unit development) approval. It went before the City Planning Commission Tuesday and expects to go before the City Council later this summer or in the fall.

Read the rest of the story here.

Couzens Hall at the University of Michigan is next in line for a residential hall facelift in Ann Arbor.

Excerpt:

The University of Michigan is playing a game of musical renovations with its student residence halls.

U-M's Board of Regents gave the OK to begin renovating Couzens Hall next spring. That will be just in time for the opening of the North Quad residence hall and on the heels of the recent renovations of Mosher-Jordan and Stockwell halls, along with the construction of the new Hill Dining Center.

"We're trying to maintain enough bed spaces to maintain student desire to live in campus," says Peter Logan, director of communications for the U-M Housing.

Read the rest of the story here.