Development Notes: Statler site progress, Cass Corridor demo rumors, more

Update: We’ve included information on more Olympia demo news.

Could we see progress at the Statler Hotel site in Grand Circus Park? The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality awarded $1 million in grants and loans to clean up the site. It was home to the Statler Hotel, which was abandoned in 1975 and demolished in 2005.

The plan for years has been to build the Statler City Apartments, bringing 288 rentals to Grand Circus Park. The building will also have a green roof, ground floor retail, and underground parking. The development is being led by VG Statler City LLC.

We reported on this in 2014, and commenters noted they wanted to wait until the M-1 rail was running and the arena was finished. Hey, we’re here! Sure would be nice to see some more buildings circling Grand Circus.

Rumor has it two apartment buildings located at 2467 and 2447 Cass Avenue may be up next for demolition.

Photos by Mark Hall

The buildings are located just outside the historic district and down the street from some of the new development from Olympia. We hear from Preservation Detroit that the buildings were inspected by BSEED in April and recommended for demo. But no demo permits have been pulled so far. We have not been able to confirm any plans from Olympia. If you have any intel on these buildings, please let us know on the tip line.

Update: Crain’s is reporting today that a demo permit has been pulled for this 136-year-old house located to the left of the holdout house, which is for sale for $5 million. The demo is expected to be completed by Monday.

We’re slowly hearing more about the Old Wayne County Building. We’ve seen some exterior work being done throughout the spring. The Detroit News is reporting that the owners are looking for a single tenant to occupy the massive building, and that, “Updates include work on the roof, facade, entry way and mechanical systems.”

Anyone out there looking for a lot of space in a landmark building?

Photo by Michelle Gerard

Have you heard any development news lately? Let us know on the tip line.