Here are a few of the stories we're reading this week. 

WWJ building on hold, again

A lot of people were excited when plans for a restaurant were announced in 2016 for the old WWJ building on 8 Mile in Oak Park. Unfortunately, those plans never materialized. Curt Catallo, co-owner of Union Joints, tells WXYZ, 

"Unfortunately, we learned a lot about radio stations, which is that there are contaminants with these transformers and the water table is higher than the basement, and you add that the challenges that our restaurant group faced during COVID, and it's just too much for us to lift."

The City of Oak Park helped secure grant money for contamination cleanup of the building, and now the city is suing the owners, "because of the poor condition of the structure and the PCP contamination in the basement of the structure." WXYZ

Drama at Dreamtroit

In more legal news, a contractor claims millions are owed from the Dreamtroit development team. MiG Construction says the developers owe them $3.28 million, and subcontractors are also claiming the team owes them $1.6 million. Dreamtroit opened earlier this year in the NW Goldberg neighborhood, not far from Henry Ford Health, with 76 housing units and commercial space. An attorney for Dreamtroit tells Crain's, "Residential lease up is currently at 70% of the units. Dreamtroit is and always has been a challenging project, but ownership is hopeful that we will navigate these final hurdles to make Dreamtroit the full reality originally envisioned." Crain's Detroit Business

New numbers and timelines for the Perfecting Church

Earlier this year, the city threatened demolition of the Perfecting Church development, which started nearly 20 years ago at the corner of 7 Mile and Woodward. The lawsuit was dropped this summer when new plans came about. Representatives for the development went in front of the Planning Commission recently with new numbers and timelines. This plan won't have a parking deck (surface lot only), and the interior will be smaller (3,365 square feet). Completing Phase One of the project would come in at $21 million, and be finished in spring of 2025. That would bring total project costs from the early 2000s to $43 million. Detroit Free Press

A discussion with the developer of Merrill Place II

Sauda Ahmad-Green broke ground this fall on Merrill Place II, a $12 million, 27 unit property in Virginia Park, where she grew up. In this interview, she discusses the challenges of development in the neighborhoods, affordable housing, and the difficulties facing Black developers in the city. Bridge Detroit