Here are a few of the stories we're reading this week:
Left Field breaks ground in Corktown
The long-delayed affordable housing development Left Field broke ground at the site of the old Tiger Stadium last week in Corktown. The $42 million development will bring 120 units of housing to the neighborhood, with 40% set aside for those making 60% area median income. Last year, the city was chosen for a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Grant from HUD, and this is the first of the developments to start construction. This is the last of the developments surrounding the old Tiger Stadium site, which has a PAL baseball facility, apartments and retail along Michigan Avenue, and townhouses along Trumbull. Left Field is being led by American Community Developers; the first phase should be completed in 2023, with the second phase started in 2024. WXYZ Detroit, Crain's Detroit
Car-free streets in Northville
You love to see it. Two streets were closed in downtown Northville in 2020 to encourage people to visit more small businesses. The experiment has gone well, and city council just voted to permanently close Main Street and Center Street to car traffic. Supporters say that this is a boost to get younger people and families into downtown. The mayor is concerned about what this means for businesses in the winter months. Detroit Free Press
Incentives for renovated apartments over storefronts
How many storefronts across the city have vacant apartments above them? It could be up to 12,000, and the city wants to help landlords get people into those apartments. Recently, the city approved a grant program that will help landlords renovate vacant apartments and in doing so, increasing density and the number of affordable housing units in the city. It's part of a recent $203 million affordable housing plan announced by the city. Crain's Detroit
Watch the 2nd Avenue Bridge move into place
A couple weeks ago, MDOT closed down I-94 to place the new 2nd Avenue Bridge. While the move was a little slow in real time, thankfully, we have a time-lapse video to show the progress: