Here are a few of the stories we're reading this week.
Big promises in Highland Park
Manna Development held an unusual press conference Friday in Highland Park. They announced a $10 billion investment in the struggling city...but details remain vague. The investment would pay off the city's water debt, as well as redevelop of the former NAACP headquarters, build new manufacturing facilities, rebuild education institutions, and create a new community development called "Uptown Highland Park." Developers noted a mysterious anonymous billionaire funding the work. The plans were also unknown to city officials before the press conference. Developers hope to bring plans to City Council this month. We'll wait and see. Bridge Detroit
Building partnerships in development
Getting development projects to the finish line is not easy in Detroit, but there are resources to help developers. Model D looks into a variety of public/private partnerships across the city, including the city's Housing and Revitalization Department, Building Community Value, the Live6Alliance, and incentives like NEZ abatements, Brownfield financing, and Community Block Grants that can help developers succeed. Clifford Brown of Woodborn Partners shares how the partnerships and incentives have helped his developments such as the Brooke, which recently broke ground, and phase one and two of the Coe in West Village. Model D
Amazon on hold
The new Amazon warehouse at the State Fairground site is completed, but it won't be opening this year. The 3.8 million-square-foot center started construction in late 2020 and was slated to open for the holiday season this year, employing as many as 1,200 people. Officials aren't too worried about the wait, and Amazon has delayed opening several sites across the country. An Amazon spokesman has said that they expect it to open next year. Detroit Free Press
