With the new year comes new developments to look forward to. While some of these projects will finish up this year, others will start construction activity in parts of downtown, the Riverfront, and New Center. Here are a few of the stories we'll be watching.

Michigan Central

All eyes on Corktown this year, as we'll finally see inside the restored Michigan Central. Ford has been working on the abandoned train station for years, and new spots have opened in its vicinity, including the Book Depository, Southwest Greenway, the new Bagley parking structure, and the reconfigured Roosevelt Park. For a long time, the train station was a symbol of the ruin of Detroit; its comeback will be a story many around the world will be watching. 

Transit Momentum

We're hesitant to get too excited about any potential good news about transit in the region, but maybe there's been a momentum shift? Last month, the RTA announced they'll likely take over operations of the Qline, which would help in getting funding for possible expansions. The People Mover - which is free this year - looks to be investing in new trains. Oakland County had a major bus expansion this year. Detroit could be seeing Bus Rapid Transit along Jefferson Avenue soon. These are all good signs in a very car-dependent region.

The West Riverfront

The area between Huntington Place and Rosa Parks Boulevard hasn't been the most active in recent years. But that's changing quickly. The Residences at Water Square, a new residential tower, is set to open this winter. Next door, another tower will break ground this year, bringing 600 hotel rooms right next to the convention center. Past Riverfront Towers, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is busy working on the Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park, which will be a destination for residents and visitors. 

The three buildings that will comprise Broadway Lofts are in the front, with Harvard Square Centre and the Merchants Building further down.Robin Runyan

Broadway & Greektown

Two areas of downtown are set to see significant changes soon. On Broadway, just a couple blocks from the Hudson's site, nearly a whole block will undergo renovations. At Broadway and Grand River, Method Development is transforming the nine-story Merchants Building into a new hotel. Next door, Bedrock will redevelop the Harvard Square Centre into apartments and retail. And three buildings in the middle of the block will see one new facade and two facade restorations, with a new nine-story building rising behind them, connecting them together. 

Nearby, the Music Hall will start a massive $122 million, 7-story expansion. 

Just down Gratiot, Greektown is on the verge of change as well. This summer, it received $20 million from the state to work on streetscaping Monroe, which would benefit the pedestrian experience, allow one lane of traffic for cars, and make it easier to hold festivals.

Henry Ford project in New Center

Most large development projects in the city are in or near the Central Business District. But the Future of Health, a plan between Henry Ford Health, MSU, Tom Gores, and the Pistons, will bring multiple new buildings and rehabs to New Center, a few miles north of the city center. A new hospital tower will rise to the west of the Lodge, while a new medical center, residential, greenspace, and parking will fill in areas to the east of the Lodge. We should see construction start on the medical research center and hospital tower in 2024, with the residential construction starting in subsequent years.