The Millrace Lofts are quickly filling up now that the development has opened its options to include land contracts and leasing.

The downtown Rochester development features 16 loft units. Only five of those are still available. More than half of the development has been sold. All of the units are 1,650 square feet with two bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Each unit comes with an attached garage and a balcony. Each also has an open, loft-like floor plan and high ceilings.

The townhouse-style development at 98 Mill St. is at the edge of downtown, overlooking the Clinton River and adjacent to the Clinton River Creek Trail. The trail has turned into a major selling point for the development.

"The people enjoy being right next to the trail," says Laurie Hough, spokeswoman for Millrace Lofts. "A majority of the people who live here are young and like to take advantage of the trail."

For information, call (248) 765-0026.

Source: Laurie Hough, spokeswoman for Millrace Lofts
Writer: Jon Zemke

Non-motorized traffic on the Clinton River Trail will soon have an option to crossing Telegraph Road that doesn't include dodging fast moving traffic.

The state has approved spending $2.1 million to build a bridge over U.S.-24 in Pontiac, connecting two points of the Clinton River Trail. The bridge will be built for both pedestrians and bicyclists.

"It will close one of the last remaining gaps and it's one of the most difficult gaps because its a state highway," says Dan Keifer, a member of the steering committee for the Friends of the Clinton River Trail.

Crossing that section of Telegraph Road isn't exactly friendly to people trying to get around in something other than an automobile. Car regularly whiz through the seven-lane highway, one of the busiest in northern Oakland County.

The 16-mile-long Clinton River Trail system has been slashing through more and more of Pontiac recently. A 1.5 mile extension was added last year, connecting the trail to downtown and major institutions, like the Phoenix Plaza Amphitheater. The Friends of the Clinton River Trail plans to connect that extension to Auburn Hills soon.

The Clinton River Trail is a recreational trail on an abandoned rail line through the heart of Oakland County. It connects the cities of Sylvan Lake, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills and Rochester. It also connects with the existing West Bloomfield Trail to the west and the Macomb Orchard Trail to the east.

Source: Dan Keifer, a member of the steering committee for the Friends of the Clinton River Trail and State of Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke

Chalk up another renovation of a historic building in downtown Royal Oak. The latest addition is the old home for Consumers Gas at the corner of Third and Williams Streets, one block east of Main Street.

Wold Architects and Engineers has buttoned up the façade restoration and is looking for a tenant for the ground floor of the 1920s-era building. Wold, which specializes in designing schools, renovated the second floor in 2007.

One of the first things it did was to remove a 1960s-era fake façade that had been attached to the building. It now bears a closer resemblance to its early 20th Century heritage, but a little bit of touch up work can still be done.

The ground floor of the 12,000-square-foot structure is available for a number of tenants, such as traditional retail or a restaurant. Downtown Royal Oak-based Schneider+Smith Architects designed the renovation.

Source: Jim Schneider, president of Schneider+Smith Architects
Writer: Jon Zemke

Soon all bus riders in Southeast Michigan will have a place to park their bikes when they get on a local transit system.

The Detroit Department of Transportation will equip all of its buses with bike racks this year, joining SMART and the Ann Arbor Transit Authority. The $680,110 project is paid mostly with federal transportation funds funneled through the state.

Transportation Riders United, a local mass transit advocate, hailed the improvement as a way of connecting more transportation options in Metro Detroit. The lack of these options and connections has held the region back, in the view of TRU's leadership.

"If a bus doesn’t come within a few blocks of your house, it's not an attractive option," says Megan Owens, executive director of Transportation Riders United. "If you can ride your bike a mile or two to a bus, then it becomes a much more attractive option."

Incorporating more options for bicyclists has been a major goal for both TRU and local leaders. SMART and AATA added the bike racks a few years ago to help boost ridership. They have enjoyed significant use as more and more Metro Detroiters took to two wheels, especially as gas prices went higher.

They are also looking at making the proposed Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail and Woodward light rail lines bicycle-friendly.

"That's the ultimate goal, is to have many different ways to get around," Owens says.

Source: State of Michigan and Megan Owens, executive director of the Transportation Riders United
Writer: Jon Zemke

It might look like a busy construction site now, but the new home of Rosie O'Grady's Irish Pub isn't far from becoming downtown Ferndale's newest attraction.

The owners plan to finish the job and move into the new space on West 9 Mile Road in either late May or early June. They started turning the old Eyeglass Factory into 15,000 square feet of dining and drinking space last fall.

"We gutted the building and started from scratch," says Ed Jeffery, vice president of operations for Rosie O'Grady's. "It had never been a restaurant before."

The venerable Ferndale institution is still in its original location at 175 W Troy St., which has served as a bar for almost a century. It will continue to do so even after Rosie O'Grady's moves. The owners plan to remodel the old site into a Mexican restaurant. That should be done within 3-6 months after construction starts.

Source: Ed Jeffery, vice president of operations for Rosie O'Grady's Irish Pub
Writer: Jon Zemke

BIRMINGHAM, MI, April 9, 2009 -- Access to creating art is not democratic. Many do not have access and the reasons are varied. From mental and physical challenges to lack of exposure or scheduling conflicts, a lack of financial resources or a variety of special needs. And yet research is building to support what the BBAC has known for years: art heals and transforms individuals. Thus Studio 1 at the BBAC was launched in September 2008.

Studio 1 is a new program aimed at bringing the transformative power of art to those who may have had limited access to it. Thanks to funding from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and three other foundations, the idea has become a reality.

"Outreach" sessions in Studio 1 include two hours of instruction and workshops, led by Molly Murphy Landis and other members of the BBAC's faculty. Because of generous foundation support, fees are currently nominal with guaranteed fee waivers to organizations without the ability to pay. Current partners include: JARC, Clawson Senior Center, and Orchards Children's Services. (For a complete list of participating organizations, see below.)

Another part of Studio 1 that provides access to quality art experiences for families and individuals, are Studio 1 Drop-In Workshops are offered weekly as part of the BBAC's Sundays @ the Center. Designed for all ages, the 1-4 PM Sunday sessions are $5 per person to cover the cost of materials. Subject matter explores visual arts of different cultures, U.S. traditions, and current topics of interest. Reservations are not required; participants can expect to complete an art project in about 45 minutes.

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has awarded the BBAC a two-year grant of $65,000 to seed the Studio 1 initiative.

In addition to the Community Foundation, funders of Studio 1 are TriMas Corporation Foundation, Bank of America, and the De Roy Testamentary Foundation.

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is a permanent community endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations committed to the future of Southeast Michigan. The Foundation works to improve the region's quality of life by connecting those that care with causes that matter. The Foundation supports a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts and culture, health, human services, community development and civic affairs.

Since its inception, has distributed more than $324 million through more than 30,000 grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw, St Clair and Livingston Counties. For more information, please visit www.CFSEM.org.

The BBAC is located at 1516 S. Cranbrook Rd. (Evergreen and 14 Mile), Birmingham, MI 48009 between 14 and 15 Mile Roads. More information is available by calling (248) 644-0866 x 128 or 129.

The Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center is a regional non-profit art center committed to promoting the visual arts with classes for all ages and abilities. Each year they offer 500 classes for 4,000 students including year round classes and art camps, as well as a dynamic, growing outreach program. The BBAC campus features nine classroom studios, four galleries with free exhibits open to the public, art camps, special events, and a retail gallery shop.

Organizations currently partnering with the BBAC on the Studio 1 initiative:

·      Botsford Commons
·      Choice Independence
·      Clawson Senior Center
·      Comprehensive Services for the Developmentally Disabled (CSDD)
·      Covenant House
·      Friendship Club
·      Haven
·      JARC
·      Jewish Apartments & Services
·      Judson Autism Services
·      Judson Center for Residential Youth
·      Orchards Children's Services
·      Sanctuary
·      Village of Oakland Woods

Oak Park's Azure Dynamics struck a deal to produce more hybrid school buses.

Excerpt:

Oak Park-based Azure Dynamics Corp. (TSX: AZD) Thursday announced an exclusive partnership with Collins Bus Corp. of South Hutchinson, Kan.

The agreement allows Collins' network of distributors and customers to specify Azure's Balance Hybrid Electric technology on their Type A school bus orders. Type A school buses can typically transport between 14 and 30 passengers.  

With more than 40 years of experience, Collins is the largest manufacturer of small school buses in North America.

The new partnership will allow Collins to offer Azure's proprietary Balance Hybrid Electric drivetrain as an option on school buses built on Ford's E-450 chassis.

Read the entire article here.

Tienken Road Bridge over Stony Creek is now open.

Excerpt:

The Road Commission for Oakland County has announced it will reopen the Tienken Road Bridge over Stony Creek this afternoon, two days ahead of schedule.

The bridge, located between Sheldon and Washington roads, was closed on April 13 so that a hole in the pavement could be repaired. According to the RCOC, the hole developed in the decking in March and was fixed temporarily by putting a steel plate over the hole.

The hole has been patched with new concrete. The entire bridge is slated to be replaced in 2010.

Read the entire article here.

Fresh, locally grown produce is coming to Milford in the form of a recently approved Farmers Market.

Excerpt:

If you like fresh, locally-grown produce, plan to spend some time in downtown Milford on Thursdays, beginning May 28.

Plans are set for a Milford Farmers Market from 3 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays through Oct. 29. The market will be on Liberty Street, between Main and Union streets, with at least 20 to 25 vendors expected each week.

The Milford Village Council recently approved closing the area to traffic each week for the open-air market.

"We're ready to go. We'll be featuring Michigan produce, in season," said Linda Lowe, who is heading the farmers market committee. She said some of the early products will include asparagus, lettuce and strawberries, with merchandise changing as the season progresses.

Read the entire article here.

Everyone loves breakfast and everyone loves beds so the people of Milford will love their new bed and breakfast.

Excerpt:

Gary and Karen Shelton have spent the past year transforming their 2,400-square foot home -- at the corner of S. Milford and Milford Heights roads -- into Milford Guest House Bed and Breakfast. They plan to open in June.

"We figured a bed and breakfast might be a rather successful thing here, and something the community needs," Gary said. "There is no overnight lodging in Milford. If you want to stay somewhere, you have to go to Wixom or (U.S.) 23 and (M) 59."

Milford Guest House Bed and Breakfast will have three guest bedrooms, each with private entrances. The Sheltons added second-level decking that wraps around the house, as well as extra bathrooms. Guests will have access to most of the house, Karen said, as well as pool and hot tub privileges.

Read the entire article here.

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Upgrading downtown Farmington's streetscape is a big job, big enough that the city wants to take it in two bites now.

City leaders have split the original $3.2 million project into two phases. The first calls for redeveloping Grand River Avenue between Farmington Road and Warner Street this year. The planned work for Grove Street between Grand River and Orchard Street has now been put on hold until the city finds financing. Farmington's Downtown Development Authority has now stepped in to help pay for the first phase.

"The project is out to bid as we speak," says Annette Knowles, executive director of the Farmington DDA. "We're looking at a mid-May start."

The project will wrap up by this fall. Even though it has been broken into two smaller chunks, the details of the overall plan remain the same.

The project will rebuild Grand River, making it friendlier to pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. It will expand the sidewalk area and add bump outs around parallel parking spaces, and install new sidewalks, crosswalks, benches, bike racks, trashcans and decorative streetlights. The Grove portion will receive the same thing, but a boulevard will be added.

Source: Annette Knowles, executive director of the Farmington Downtown Development Authority
Writer: Jon Zemke

Slowly but surely, the renovated version of the Zicor building in Ferndale is filling up.

GVA Detroit recently rehabbed the old mid-20th Century industrial building on Hilton Street between 8 and 9 Mile Roads into a mixed-use space, complete with loft-style offices. The Southfield-based firm gutted it three years ago, leaving only the original walls, roof and floor.

Today there are a lot of loft-like offices complete with high ceilings, exposed ductwork and wide-open spaces. About 30 percent of the 15,000-square-foot building is occupied, now that Advanced Medical Solutions has recently signed on.

"I've got the brand new lease in front of me," says Linda Oak, a property manager for GVA Detroit.

Advanced Medical Solutions joins a number of eclectic businesses, including a film industry payroll company that just opened a Michigan office.

Source: Linda Oak, property manager for GVA Detroit
Writer: Jon Zemke

What was once blighted rough is now Royal Oak's newest architectural diamond -- 401 N Main.

The 2-story office building literally blings in the sunlight with its new stainless steel exterior and large glass windows. It's about to open as the new home to two of the city's prominent law firms, Corey and Flood, and Lanctot & Connor, next week.

"We did a lot of work, but it's a great showpiece now," says Jim Schneider, president of Royal Oak-based Schneider+Smith Architects, which designed the renovation of 401 N Main.

That's the first time anything so complimentary has been said about the building that sits across the street and a few blocks up from the Main Art Theatre. For years, 401 N Main was the biggest blight in downtown Royal Oak, suffering through failed redevelopment plans time and again as it sat half-done with weather-worn building materials flapping in the breeze.

The city finally had enough. It condemned the building and hired a contractor to raze it, but at the eleventh hour, local preservationists lined up a new developer to save it from the waiting dumpster.

"It was pretty close," says Schneider, one of the proponents for saving 401 N Main. "The city was pretty adamant about taking it down."

That was the easy part. Schneider and his crew had to figure out how to revive a building that had wandered far from its original plans. It was originally built as a single-story storefront in the 1920s. In 2003, a developer started to add a second story for condos. This project basically served as his learning curve before he ran out of money.

The crew had to replumb, replace walls and do a host of other structural work to shore up the 5,800-square foot structure. The subsequent rebuilding was no easy task. Part of the roof was rotted out and the second floor was covered in several inches of pigeon poop.

More than one year’s worth of work produced a moderne-looking structure that complements downtown Royal Oak’s new building stock, like the Fifth at Royal Oak and the Center Street Lofts. Its interior is part modern office and part loft-like office space for about 15 attorneys and support staff.

The ground floor has dark wood flooring and modern finishes, which contrasts with the exposed X-bracing and large windows. The east-facing windows utilize Solarban 60 Low-E Glass and are lightly tinted to control the ample morning sunshine and to let occupants put their eyes to the street, making for a more walkable block.

The second floor contrasts with a more traditional-loft look. Exposed wood rafters, duct work, wood beam posts and a corner balcony make the second floor feel almost more like a luxury loft than a place of business.

"It's sort of what we were going for," Schneider says. "We wanted a high-degree finish below."

401 N Main adds a big shot of energy to Royal Oak, one of Michigan's best downtowns, by extending walkability and vibrancy beyond its traditional northern border of 11 Mile Road.

The refurbished building is a nice new little jewel that now sits at the top of downtown's crown.

Source: Jim Schneider, president of Royal Oak-based Schneider+Smith Architects
Writer: Jon Zemke

The historic Main House in Oakland Township is about to undergo a restoration that should bring it back to its golden years of the mid-19th Century.

Stephen Auger + Associates is beginning with interior restoration work of the 2000-square-foot house. That includes intricate plaster work and an Arts and Crafts-style fireplace. Work on the whole house in the Cranberry Lake Farms historic district is expected to wrap up by this summer.

"The renovation has been piecemeal over the years," says Christopher Aller, the firm's principal. "We're trying to pull it all together."

The Greek Revival-style house was built in 1840 by the Axford, Taylor and Kline families that farmed the land until 1908. Arts and Crafts-style additions were added in the early part of the 20th Century. It became the summer home of former U.S. Congressman and oil executive Howard Aldridge Coffin between 1939 and 1951.

The historic district is inside the 233-acre Cranberry Lake Park. The house is now vacant but the township is deciding whether to turn it into a museum or some sort of other public use.

Source: Christopher Aller, principal of Stephen Auger + Associates
Writer: Jon Zemke

Another environmentally friendly edifice is going up in Lake Orion, now that construction has started for the Orion Pointe Medical/Professional office building.

The 15,000-square-foot Stephen Auger + Associates-designed structure is at 214 Broadway Street near downtown Lake Orion. Construction is set to wrap up by October and appears to be on schedule.

"They have the masonry cores up for the stairs and what not," says Brad Klein, project manager for the Lake Orion-based firm. "We'll start putting the steel and wood up in the next couple of weeks."

The building has a number of green features, including renewable materials, siding from Auburn Hills-based Microposite, and efficient fixtures for water and energy systems. It shares a parking lot with an adjacent marina and a rain garden. Klein said the developer wanted to go for LEED status but couldn't make it work.

"It became cost prohibitive in the budget," Klein says. "We looked to pursue any green features we could."

The building replaces two older lake homes that were recently razed.

Source: Brad Klein, project manager for Stephen Auger + Associates
Writer: Jon Zemke

Southfield studio inks $60 million deal with New Castle Entertainment.

Excerpt:

The deal comes on the heels of work wrapping on the movie "Intent," which spearheaded the partnership between Parallax and New Castle. The film stars Eric Roberts, who plans to co-star with Michael Douglas, Kathy Bates and Brett Rice on the upcoming movie, "Forsaken," which will also be filmed in Michigan and handled by Parallax. Also on the horizon is "Mr. Microphone," tentatively scheduled to start filming in June. New Castle is in final negotiations with Will Ferrell and Jerry Stiller for the lead roles. Ten other projects could potentially be birthed from this new deal.

"It's exciting, isn't it?" said Rob Striks, director of marketing at Parallax who said the deal is great news for Michigan as the state struggles in the midst of an economic crisis. "This is some fantastic news for the entire state,  and it couldn’t come at a better time. ... It's just what we need."

Read the entire article here.

Rochester, Mich. -- In order to give highly educated and skilled professionals every advantage in finding or keeping positions in their field, Oakland University's School of Engineering and Computer Science has created nine certificate programs designed to ensure that enrollees are versed in the latest industry developments. Officials say that this, coupled with years or even decades of experience they've acquired, will help put workers in greater demand.

Bhushan Bhatt, SECS associate dean and professor of engineering, said the certificate programs were developed with the needs of recently displaced professionals in mind. He noted that OU recognizes that in today's economic climate, technical professionals need more to bolster their job searches than freshly polished resumes and enhanced interview skills.

"This is an attempt on our part to help people," Bhatt said. "We wanted to do something better for them, something cogent."

The result is a series of educational offerings divided into two categories -- skills rebuilding programs for computer scientists and computer, mechanical and robotics engineers; and professional development programs for professionals working in embedded systems, mechatronics, and mechanical and industrial engineering.

Completion of the programs involves up to 120 hours of instruction, and credits earned in the professional development programs can be applied toward related graduate degree programs if enrollees choose to pursue further education.

Good news for unemployed technical professionals is that all certificate programs the SECS offers are now in the process of being approved for state tuition assistance through the Michigan Works program. Bhatt said he and other program developers hope this will provide an opportunity for displaced workers to take advantage of Oakland University's efforts to help get them back on the job.

To learn more about the SECS certificate programs, visit http://www2.oakland.edu/secs/ or call (248) 370-2233 or (248) 370-2217. For more information about the Michigan Works program at Oakland University, visit www.oakland.edu/michiganworks.