Detroit Development News

Fans of Eph's sandwiches, have no fear: although its current Downtown location will be transformed into Foran's Deluxe Diner, the deli will eventually reopen at the Bohemian National House and, in the meantime, favorites will continue to be available on the new menu. Owner Tim Tharp, who also is the proprietor of the next-door Grand Trunk Pub, (formerly called Foran's Irish Pub) says his new spot will focus on "gourmet comfort food" that is locally-sourced. "If it's not from Michigan, we'd really rather find something else," he says.

To complement the railroad history exemplified at Grand Trunk Pub, a former GT ticket office, the diner's decor will be Art Deco. Its metal facade will remain, with new signage designed and fabricated by Tharp and local artist Amanda Box. The giant Eph's pickle will not stay, nor will much of the historic artifacts currently displayed on the walls.

Tharp's decision to rename his pub -- from Foran's to Grand Trunk Pub -- was not taken lightly, so the diner's moniker next door is meant to "keep the Foran's name alive on the block."

Foran's Deluxe Diner's menu for the time being will combine Eph's and the pub food next door, eventually forming its own identity over time. "I don't want to alienate customers that want a deli sandwich," says Tharp, although he aims for a "really full-scale menu." To start, the diner will be open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with dinner hours forthcoming.

Foran's Deluxe Diner is at 608 Woodward; Grand Trunk Pub is just north at 612.

Source: Tim Tharp, Grand Trunk Pub and Foran's Deluxe Diner
Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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Taking inspiration from inscribed clay tiles that were often used to construct temple walls and roofs of ancient Korean monasteriesis, the Detroit Zen Center is building a wall of its own. The Zen Center's wall of refuge will be made from 4,200 historic mission tiles salvaged from a Grosse Pointe Park roof. A grant from the Kresge Community Arts Foundation will fund the construction; the wall will stand three to four feet tall and is intended to provide a sense of protection and beauty rather than functioning as a boundary between the Zen Center and the community.

Before being built into the refuge, or spirit wall, the 1917 tiles are being etched by monks with inscriptions written by passersby. "The concept is that tiles get inscribed with a collective spirit ... that endures long past the lifetimes of people," says Hillary Myungju, the Zen Center's head monk and director. The past couple of weeks have seen "hundreds of people passing through from all corners of the community." Nov. 21 will be the last Saturday that the public will have the opportunity to have their inscription etched into the tiles by monks.

The Detroit Zen Center is located at 11464 Mitchell St. at Casmere in Hamtramck. Its calendar, including yoga practice, can be found online. The Living Zen Cafe and Co-op, which serves organic food and sells organic produce, bulk goods and natural healthcare and home products, is open Wednesday 11 a.m to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Source: Hillary Myungju, Detroit Zen Center
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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A pump track is a continuous, looped dirt mound used to improve BMX skills. Its smaller size, as compared to a full-scale BMX bike park, makes it "accessible to any age, any skill level," says North Corktown resident Brian Conaghan. Members of the Corktown Residents Council (CRC), armed with Conaghan's know-how gleaned from his years in Colorado constructing these tracks with friends, have built one in the North Corktown neighborhood at the northeast corner of Sycamore and Cochrane.

On a pump track, cyclists "pump" their bikes -- any non-road bike will do -- up the front side of a mound and then down the back side, picking up the speed needed to get back up the next mound. Essentially, the pumping replaces the pedaling. Consider it the equivalent of bouldering in rock climbing, an activity that builds skills with little danger or altitude -- perfect for neighborhood youth. "This is really about the children who existed in the neighborhood before I moved here," says Kym Bevill, who purchased her home in 2005 and lives with Conaghan near the new pump track. "They show such an interest in bicycling ... that was our main inspiration behind this."

The CRC plans to add landscaping and signage to the Corktown Pump Track, including one that will say, "Ride at Your Own Risk" -- although Bevill thinks that any risk is far outweighed by the benefits. "This is safe, clean, healthy fun," she says. Conaghan agrees: "You need a lot of skill to ride (the pump track) well, but you don't need a lot to ride it," he says.

See a video of some kids riding a backyard pump track here and one made on Saturday, Nov.14 that show Corktown's pump track being built here.

Source: Kym Bevill and Brian Conaghan, Corktown Residents Council
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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In August, artist Katie Craig and a crew of young people began working on a mammoth (100-feet-by-125-feet) mural on a nine-story vacant building on E. Grand Boulevard at Beaubien. The North End building was selected because it "kind of links Youthville, Vanguard (Community Development Corporation), the new CCS and Russell Industrial," says Craig. "It's in the middle of things happening in that neighborhood."

The mural, entitled "The Illuminated Mural," is nearly complete; the dedication is set for Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. with a reception to follow at Vanguard's offices. Craig says its design is intended to "translate to all people in the neighborhood." It utilizes drips of paint flowing down the wall into "abstract explosions of paint spatters and cross-hatching." The mural is "about action and movement, (which) represents the North End: it's a constantly going neighborhood, there's a real fast pace up there," she says.

Craig and some other artists are now occupying the ground floor of the building as studio space, all with the cooperation of the building's owner, the Boydell Group. A recent graduate of CCS, she is also currently teaching art classes to youth at Vanguard. "We're really trying to teach them the business of painting murals and also give them skills," she says. "Everything around us at one point -- except for nature  -- was a drawing, someone's concept. (We're teaching them to) create their own surroundings."

The Illuminated Mural is part of the community+public arts:DETROIT (CPAD) program. Other CPAD projects include installations at Rouge Park, Gigante Prince Valley Supermercado, Patton and Clark parks and, in Brightmoor, Talking Fence. It is facilitated by College for Creative Studies.

Source: Katie Craig
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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When the times get tough, the tough get creative. At least that's the attitude that Grandmont Rosedale Development Corp. (GRDC) took with the four "Community Conversations" that they hosted this fall. Covering transit, sustainability, housing and public services, the community delved deep into "big picture issues that we felt we needed to address as a non-profit, as a community," says GRDC Executive Director Tom Goddeeris. "(We took) on subjects beyond what we would normally look at."

The topic "A Leaner, Greener Detroit" looked at transit and sustainability, two concepts that Goddeeris says have "never been big priority issues in our community, never been discussed very much." After hearing about the current regional transportation plan, which calls for a light rail line down the community's main street, the present-day importance of transit became clear. "We've been a very car-oriented neighborhood ... (we need) to think about how we can provide more options for people," he says.

Some "outside-the-box" concepts that were discussed include future mixed-use development on Grand River as well as community-based enterprise, the concept of community-owned or operated business as a route to commercial revitalization. While GRDC is not prepared to take on any of these ideas immediately, Goddeeris says they certainly will inform the organization's planning, particularly while the economy is not currently supporting new developments. "We want to think about things we can do now to lay the groundwork," says Goddeeris. "This is a long-term perspective ... we are changing our whole mindset towards the future."

The presentations are available for view at GRDC's website here.

Source: Tom Goddeeris, GRDC
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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Wade Kergan has combined his love for music with his talent selling records at Hello Records, the Corktown shop he co-owns with Ben Hall. Kergan worked in record stores for more than fifteen years; now he buys and sells them in his own brightly lit space with a polished maple floor and crisp yellow walls.

Hello Records has been in operation for about a year. It stocks hundreds of records, from soul to classical to country. "We're almost entirely used, so it really depends on what people bring us," says Kergan. "Detroit has such a rich music history, we get a little bit of everything." They also sell records online, which he says is necessary for any record business.

Kergan is wiling tol share stories surrounding any particular record, along with explaining its date, genre, and relation to other music, all without pretension. The 600-square-foot space is not expansive by any means, but the selection is more than sufficient to keep the attention of anyone interested in music. "This place is a little smaller than other shops so it's a little easier to navigate," says Kergan. "Sometimes you walk into a place and your mind is wiped clean by the vastness of what's before you."

Hello Records is currently open Sundays and Mondays noon to 4 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday noon to 6 p.m. It is located at 1459 Trumbull at Bagley. Call 313-300-5654.

Source: Wade Kergan, Hello Records
Writer: Ryan Kelly

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David Armin-Parcells, armed with 18 years of experience in the wine business, had a hunch that Greater Downtown residents were hungry for some good grape. His stint managing Zaccaro's, where he handled beer and wine orders, proved the hypothesis. "It was the most successful department there," he says. "This gave me some hard numbers."

Bolstered by the facts, Armin-Parcells will open Motor City Wine at 608 Woodward's second floor suite. His wine shop and tasting bar will be located above what is currently Eph's (but will soon be Foran's Deluxe Diner -- more on that in a future issue) with a separate front entrance. The space will seat approximately 45, with some two-tops as well as a large community table. The north wall will be lined with product shelved in hanging wooden wine crates -- approximately 120 different varieties of wine will be stocked -- as well as rotating works of art.

Motor City Wine will focus on "quality for value," says Armin-Parcells, who estimates that 90% of the bottles will be priced under $20. "This will be a pretty unpretentious, welcoming spot -- as much as possible when you are dealing with wine," he says. "It's the fastest growing (segment of) the beverage industry in the world, but it still has this air of mystery." There will be no big-name brands on the shelves; there will be local, organic and biodynamic offerings.

The bar will offer six to ten wines by the glass and for tastings and bottles may be purchased to drink on the premises for a $5 bottle fee. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, with limited Saturday hours. Motor City Wine will deliver as far away as Ann Arbor, with low delivery rates for the inner ring of Downtown, Corktown, Midtown and Lafayette Park. Besides targeting these residents, Armin-Parcells plans to market to downtown workers as well. "People want convenience, they want good prices," he says. "They want to be able to try stuff before they buy it."

While the final steps of the permitting process are completed, there will be a Motor City preview tasting on November 17: $20 to taste 15 wines, with cheeses, olives and music in the mix. To reserve a spot for the tasting, email Armin-Parcells via his website.

Source: David Armin-Parcells, Motor City Wine
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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Angelina Italian Bistro just passed the one-year mark, but the restaurant is certainly not resting on its laurels. Angelina has recently opened an adjacent private dining room, introduced happy hour bar and prix fixe menus and launched a redesigned website.

The private dining room, which fronts Grand Circus Parks, seats up to 65 and can be booked for special events such as corporate parties and rehearsal dinners. "It's been good for us, kind of keeping our head above water," says co-owner Tom Agosta. "It's enabled us to keep our staff, give them a few extra hours...and shortly, we hope to hire a few more people." The space has already been used by PricewaterhouseCoopers and College for Creative Studies, and Agosta and partner Mike Viviano are focused on growing that arm of the business in the coming year.

The happy hour menu features tasting plates such as calamari, bruschetta, and marinated chicken skewers all in the $4 range. Agosta points out that Angelina's non-smoking policy and free wi-fi have turned the bar into a popular after-work destination for professionals looking for a drink while they wrap up their business day.

Angelina has established a partnership with the Gem and Fisher Theaters to offer a special prix fixe menu for event attendees: a three-course meal for $29.50, including tax and gratuity. The restaurant's full menu has been updated for the season and includes a variety of pizzas and entrees like polenta and eggplant torre, tomato gnocci, rainbow trout and grilled organic pork chops.

On Tuesday, November 17, Angelina is hosting a Michigan Harvest Wine Dinner that features five courses, each accompanied by a Michigan wine. Reservations are required, and can be made by calling the restaurant at 313-962-1355.

Now that the bistro is entering its second year, Agosta and Viviano are hopeful they are around for the long haul. "We are looking forward to opening for lunch again, hopefully," says Viviano. "We're also looking forward to more people moving into Downtown."

The new website, along with special events and promotions, is part of the duo's enhanced marketing strategy. "It used to be with good food, good service, (restaurants) would be able to at least hang in there pretty well," says Agosta. "That's just not enough these days."

Angelina is located at 1565 Broadway with the main entrance on Witherell. Valet parking is available.

Source: Tom Agosta and Mike Viviano, Angelina Italian Bistro
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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City Bird -- the beloved Detroit craft label designed and produced by sibling duo Andy and Emily Linn -- will celebrate the opening of their new retail and studio space at the Canfield Lofts on W. Canfield between Cass and Second on Nov. 13 from 6 to 11 p.m.

In addition to its house line of goods, City Bird will carry vintage clothing and housewares as well as products from other Detroit and Midwestern designers. "Emiily and I are excited about GLUE (Great Lakes Urban Exchange)," says Andy Linn. "We want to bring Rust Belt designers together -- there are a lot of things that tie us together." Local examples include Bettula's birch bark jewelry, ties from Cybertopix, Citizen Jane t-shirts, lace jewelry from White Owl and, from elsewhere in the Great Lakes region, Biggie's pouches and purses from Illinois, printed tea towels from Art Goodies of Grand Rapids and cards and invitations from Milwaukee's Kate Frank.

City Bird's Detroit-inspired jewelry, home decor, bags and wallets will all be made on site; the Linns silkscreen, etch glass and make soap and candles. They credit their ability to get along to years of home-schooling and complementary undergraduate art studies. "We work together very well," says Emily.

According to Andy, making the jump from designers and crafters to retailers was not taken lightly. "We'd thrown around the idea of a bricks-and-mortar space," he says, crediting Open City with a nudge in their current direction. "Seeing friends and acquaintances open up inspired us to make the jump and open."

After Nov. 13, City Bird's regular hours will be Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The address is 460 W. Canfield St.; call 313-831-9146.

Source: Andy and Emily Linn, City Bird
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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The Thanksgiving Day home game played by the Detroit Lions every year -- this is the 70th (!) -- is a big-time tradition 'round these parts. And while professional football might not conjure up the greenest of images, this year's Turkey Day showdown is taking on a rather emerald hue. For the third year in a row, the Lions are partnering with TechTown-based Carbon Credit Environmental Services (CCES) and the Greening of Detroit to make the game a carbon neutral event.

The effort begins on November 10 with an official tree planting ceremony at Lafayette Central Park with participation from CCES, Greening and Lions players Jerome Felton and John Standeford and president Tom Lewand. 

The number of carbon credits to purchase and trees to plant was determined by a CCES audit, which estimated the amount of CO2 emissions utilized during the event. The firm calculated energy, heat, steam, waste, and water used in the building (146 tons) as well as the emissions created by the estimated 64,000 fans and team members traveling to the event via vehicle and airplane (320 tons).

In total, 650 trees will be planted in Detroit to compensate for the 466 tons of CO2 emissions.

Source: Monica Tabares, Greening of Detroit
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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WM Studio is a renovation and design firm started by architect Marc Tirikian. Though its focus is mainly residential projects, such as kitchen remodeling, the firm was recently hired to help redesign the 30,000-square-foot Pioneer Building on East Grand Boulevard, so that the former-industrial-building-turned-artist-studios will meet city occupancy standards.

WM Studio was launched in 2002 and operated for 3 years before Tirikian accepted a job with the architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, where he contributed to the design of Burj Dubai and the new NATO Headquarters. He returned to Detroit in 2008 and, once here, saw an opportunity to re-open WM Studio. "I truly believe, truly hope that Detroit will make it's turnaround. And we want to be a part of that when it happens," says Tirikian.

The firm's size, coupled with its experience, make it attractive option for clients, like the Pioneer Building, trying to couple design desires with cash realities. "Because we're a small firm, our overhead expenses aren't that great," says Tirkian. "So our fees are not as exuberant as large firms."

Away from WM Studio, Tirikian serves on the design committee for CEM Business Association, which initiates programs for the beautification of the East Warren commercial corridor. He's currently working on a project to streetscape the district.

WM Studio is located at 4192 Bishop. Call 313-885-7521.

Source: Marc Tirkian, WM Studio
Writer: Ryan Kelly

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The Key Investment Group, comprised of developers that have worked on Campus Martius, Compuware and the Ford Rouge Plant, has announced the first of its six planned mixed-use developments in the city of Detroit -- the renovation of the Book Building and Tower on Washington Blvd. in Downtown.

The team hopes to close on the purchase of the buildings in November and begin construction in June 2010, says chief financial officer RoseMarie Dobek. There will be 260 rental residences, a common residential area and three floors of retail that will be accessible by the Rosa Parks Transit Center and the Detroit People Mover Times Square Station. The entire project will be built with strict attention to sustainability -- think living roof, energy-efficient windows and geothermal heating and cooling -- with LEED Gold being the development's goal.

Dobek says that Key spent three years researching potential developments and the Detroit housing market. For tenants, they are targeting the 80,000 downtown employees by offering rentals at a rate less than the suburbs -- along with the chance to potentially ditch a car payment. "There is a lack of affordable housing (in Detroit)," she says. "There is an excess of low-income and high-end."

Key Investment's other five projects are still confidential. Dobek says they will be announced in December along with details of the plans financing, although she says "no city funds, no pension funds, no HUD and no gap" monies are being utilized. There will be four more developments downtown and one on the east side; one will be a LEED- and Green Seal-certified hotel. In total, Key will be investing $320 million into Detroit in the next 3-1/2 years and be bringing 970 new residences online.

Source: RoseMarie Dobek, Key Investment Group
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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Jefferson East Business Association will host its 13th annual meeting from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Cliff Bell's, 2030 Park Ave. in Downtown. There will be board elections, progress updates, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, the JEBA Awards and a private Jazz performance by Brad Felt and the Nu Quartet.

Individual tickets are $30, a table of four is only $100. To purchase tickets or for more information, please contact JEBA's office at 313-331-7939.

Meanwhile, a few new businesses have popped up at Riverbend Plaza in the JEBA district. Dollar Tree, which is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and The Weave Shop, which is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

AAA insurance will be opening a branch office at the plaza soon, according to JEBA executive director Joshua Elling. State Farm has also relocated within the district to 14346 E. Jefferson Avenue. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

One last thing: There are three plantings along E. Jefferson planned for November 7, 14 and 21 that will replace a total of 500 street trees from Alter Road to I-375. Plantings will begin at 9 a.m. rain or shine and run to about 1 p.m. Contact Anthony Todd at Greening of Detroit to volunteer: 313-237-8733 or anthony@greeningofdetroit.com.

Source: Joshua Elling, JEBA
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaughread on…

The new Fort St. Gallery is located on the second floor of an old Hudson's warehouse located at 1915 Fort St. at Rosa Parks. The 22,000-square-foot space -- "It's insane, you could land planes there!" says curator Laura Deljanin -- includes a full bar, exhibition and performance space, and a VIP reception area.

A Nov. 7 opening will begin at 7 p.m. with an artist exhibit, live music, a comedy set and a strolling buffet. Artists showing that evening are Matt Dolan, Dave Hudson, Melanie Misfud, Judy Cho, James Smutek, Deljanin, James Niemi, Joe Flis, Andrew Kochanowski and Heather Williams.

At 9 p.m., there will be a fashion show featuring Detroit Mechanix, Anthropologie and Paul Anthony, who will be debuting a new line. Post-fashion show, there will be a DJ and dancing. Entry at the door will be $10, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center. "It will be a grand blowout," says Deljanin.

Source: Laura Deljanin, Laurette Designs and Fort St. Gallery
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

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A cafe in Corktown, 5 Elements Gallery, is mixing Detroit's hip-hop culture with the colorful work of local artists. Bright graffiti wraps the gallery's Michigan Ave. exterior and owner DJ Sicari allows local artists from different crews to compete over space on the wall behind.

Inside the 3,000-square-foot former party store, patrons can enjoy coffee and free wi-fi at small cafe tables (some with chessboards) while peeping the painting and sculptures on display from local artists. There is also a performance stage that has hosted artists from Monica Blaire to FINALE to Slum Village. "Everyone who is anyone in hip-hop comes here," says public relations director Piper Carter. "The hip-hop we do here is, quote unquote, real hip hop. It's organic. It's more about the essence of the music, and the culture." 5 Elements is also available to host community meetings for local residents and business owners.

The cafe opens at noon Tuesday through Sunday. Art shows run every six weeks and the gallery hosts monthly parties such as reggae night. Sicari, who opened 5 Elements in August of 2008, says something is usually happening every weekend, but the events are sometimes word of mouth. "Those who know, know," says Sicari.

5 Elements is located at 2125 Michigan Ave. just east of the Michigan Central Station. Call 313-283-7177.

Source: DJ Sicari, 5 Elements
Writer: Ryan Kelly

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