Development Notes: Dan Gilbert eyes riverfront property, Cass Corridor redevelopment, and more

Dan Gilbert recently hinted at wanting to build more offices and residential just outside of downtown, since we’re apparently running out of room there. Crain’s has confirmed that GM is working with Gilbert to redevelop 10 acres of land to the east of the Ren Center. The land is currently parking lots. The statement to Crain’s says that the development will be mixed-use retail, residential, and office space, but no further plans have been announced.

Crain’s also reports that the large building next to the Masonic Temple, an Albert Kahn building built in the 20s, will undergo a major redevelopment. The plan? According to Crain’s, “...more than 100 apartments ranging from 850 to 2,000 square feet, plus about 10,000 square feet of retail space in new construction to the west of the 190,000-square-foot building, sources said.”

Google Maps

The building is located across the street from Cass Park, and just a few blocks away from the new Arena District. The redevelopment should take about two to three years, pending Wayne County approval.

Last week, we showed you a photography project by students from the College for Creative Studies as they documented the LED streetlights installed around Detroit. More details have emerged on the installation, which has resulted in 65,000 LED lights around the city in a project that started in February 2014. According to the city, prior to the start of the LED project, about 40% of the city’s streetlights did not work, including entire neighborhoods in some cases. The Mayor worked with the PLA to reverse the original plan that called for lighting major thoroughfares first in order to light neighborhoods first and complete them a year earlier. The new plan also called for installing brighter and more energy-efficient LED lights, as opposed to the dimmer sodium lights.

Michelle & Chris Gerard

Did you hear there’s a new grocery store coming to Capitol Park? Eater Detroit reports that Eatóri Market is a specialty grocer who will set up shop in the Malcomson Building soon. Not only will it have produce and grab-and-go items, but it will also have a full bar and limited hot menu. Nice!

Have you heard of any new development or neighborhood news? We’re always listening on the tip line!