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

New rehab of an old apartment building

The area of Piety Hill has seen a lot of development activity in the past few years. This continues with the rehab of a four-story brick apartment building, the Clairwood Apartments, led by developers Century Partners. The plan is to renovate the building with 42 apartments, offered to those making between 50-80% Area Median Income. The team is currently working on incentives and approvals (they just gave a presentation to the Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority), and could start work in November and open in late 2024. The handsome apartment building has been vacant for nearly two decades, and has traded hands many times since. Detroit Free Press

Developer Michael Higgins passes away

A longtime Detroit developer died on Sunday. Michael Higgins has been redeveloping properties around the city since the 1970s, often taking on more than he could handle; some of his properties, like the Leland Hotel, fell into disrepair. He was part of the redevelopment of Broderick Tower in 2012, before many of the downtown buildings were rehabbed. Higgins was 74. Crain's Detroit Business

"We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Mike Higgins," his company, Midwest Real Estate Assets, said in a statement. "Mike was a true visionary in urban redevelopment in Detroit. The company's employees, investors, as well as the many tenants and neighbors whose lives he touched mourn his loss." 

New businesses in Midtown and New Center

Six new businesses have recently or soon will open in properties owned by the Platform in Midtown and New Center. This includes four businesses in Midtown West (the Eagle Food and Beer Hall, a bridal salon, a waxing studio, and a gelateria), a hair salon in the Fisher Building, and a new fitness studio at the Ellington. “We are very excited to introduce this diverse range of businesses to the Detroit community,” says Clarke Lewis, president of the Platform. “The quality and variety of these businesses will not only serve our residents, but people from all over the city. We are adding to the vibrancy of the neighborhoods, while adding some needed services to this growing section of Detroit.” DBusiness