[DetroitSky]

48307 on DetroitYes posted two photos of the Monroe Blocks site from One Campus Martius today. It looks like the parking lot has been scraped clean from the phase 1 block. The other block looks the same.



Flowers of Vietnam chef to anchor historic southwest Detroit building

The renovation of the partially collapsed, red-bricked Grosfield Building has taken longer than expected. But financing is locked and major stabilization work is likely to start in spring on the nearly $5 million project, the developers said Friday.

The finished product is expected to comprise 19 apartment units, retail and a corner restaurant from George Azar.

The chef who grew up in southwest Detroit is best known for his Vietnamese pop-up that first appeared in 2016. It has since expanded from visitor status in the Vernor Coney Island to full-fledged restaurant. And for his next Detroit venture?

"I'm going to be cooking Mexican food," he said. "Focusing on regional places in the country that I think are underrepresented in our community, in Michigan, that are really, really interesting."

East Riverfront framework wins prestigious urban design award

Almost two years ago, the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy released an extensive plan for Detroit’s east riverfront, including more public space, more greenways, and redevelopment of old warehouses. Developed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM); the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy; the City of Detroit Planning & Development Department; and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the plan was a hit with the public.

Now it’s gained national design recognition. The framework has received the 2019 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor Award for Regional and Urban Design, an award that recognizes the best in urban design, regional and city planning, and community development. It’s one of four U.S. projects to receive the award this year; the other recipients are the Pike Place MarketFront in Seattle, Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, and the Infra-Space Initiative in Boston.

JPMorgan Chase Commits $15M to Expand Economic Growth in Detroit’s Neighborhoods

JPMorgan Chase has committed $15 million – part of the company’s $150 million, five-year promise to the city – to support Detroit’s neighborhoods to help more residents benefit from the city’s continued economic recovery.

This new investment, which combines a $10 million, long-term, low-cost loan and $5 million in philanthropy, is expected to expand economic opportunity in these neighborhoods.

The commitments will enable the Strategic Neighborhood Fund to finance neighborhood projects that lack access to traditional financing, help attract additional capital, and over time provide local residents with more access to affordable housing, and goods and services where they live and work.

New Digital Marketing Firm Mainstreet Mob Launches in March, Focuses on Small Businesses

Mainstreet Mob, a new digital and event marketing company, will makes its debut March 10th in Detroit. The platform allows small businesses and shoppers to connect through social media and cash mob events, where people join together to make purchases at local businesses as a show of support.

Users who join the online Mainstreet Mob platform earn points, prizes, rewards, and other perks in return for participating.

“For a fraction of the cost, Mainstreet Mob will be putting an entire expert team and community of … potential new customers behind small businesses, who otherwise might not have the access,” says Margarita Barry of Mainstreet Mob.