Here are a few of the stories we're reading this week:
Hold that demo!
After the partial collapse of a 115-year-old brick building in Eastern Market this weekend, the city ordered an emergency demolition of the building. Many residents and preservationists questioned the quick reaction and decision to demo instead of try to save the building. Now, owner Scot Turnbull has filed an appeal with the city to stop the demolition. Both Preservation Detroit and the Michigan Historic Preservation Network sent letters to City Council and the mayor urging them to save the building. The Del Bene Building is home to many businesses, some of which have started GoFundMe's. The businesses have not been able to access the building since the collapse. Detroit News, Detroit Free Press
Another crumbling Eastern Market building
A few blocks away from the Del Bene Building sits another brick building collapsing. This one is on Gratiot and has a blue Busy Bee Hardware mural on it. (Shout out to our reader who pointed this building out earlier this week) It's owned by Develop Detroit, who has planned to build a large mixed-use development on the site. A nearby business owner has reported the property for years; it's also teeming with rodents, unfortunate for the food-based businesses nearby. The city has apparently issued many blight tickets in recent years; Develop Detroit is supposed to demo the property this winter. They're currently waiting on HUD funding for their development. Crain's Detroit Business
A new food hall on 6 Mile (McNichols)
A Black-owned food hall, Whatcha Wanna Eat, is now open on the city's west side. Nine food vendors offering tacos, wings, smoothies, chicken and waffles, and more have set up shop in the building. Many early visitors heard about it via word of mouth or social media. The owners have additional businesses in the area and have been working on the buildout for this concept for the last few years. The food hall is on West McNichols, a few blocks from the Lodge. Eater Detroit, Daily Detroit
