Positively Detroit

PRNewswire/ -- Olympia Development of Michigan recently announced six projects in The District Detroit, including the restoration of three vacant historic buildings and the construction of three new mixed-use buildings near the state-of-the-art Little Caesars Arena. These projects will launch phase two of development in The District Detroit while creating hundreds of new jobs, continuing the momentum of the city's resurgence and extending the Ilitch organization's decades-long commitment to development in Detroit.

This investment of nearly $200 million will bring even more office tenants, storefronts and density to the area while connecting the city's thriving Central Business District to nearby neighborhoods. These projects will bring more than 400,000 square feet of office space and nearly 70,000 square feet of street-level retail space to The District Detroit. Each building will feature new street-level retail.

"We are enthusiastically building on the incredible success of Little Caesars Arena and the upcoming opening of the new Little Caesars world headquarters campus expansion, the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University and the launch of the Columbia Street shopping and dining destination," said Christopher Ilitch, President and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. "This new investment puts the focus on the redevelopment of historic buildings while bringing high-demand retail and office space that will contribute to Detroit's economy."

Development in The District Detroit has already created more than 20,000 construction and construction-related jobs and more than 3,000 permanent jobs after the opening of Little Caesars Arena, two-thirds of which were filled by Detroiters. These projects will continue to grow the city's economy and create new opportunities for Detroit and for Michigan.

To further its intention of self-developing these historic projects, Olympia Development of Michigan will pursue the federal, state and local incentives often necessary to make them economically viable. Initial architectural and engineering work, as well as leasing efforts, are already underway.

• 2210 Park Ave. – The former Detroit Life Building, a 10-story historic office building built in 1922, would be transformed into 32,000 square feet of office space and 6,000 square feet of street-level retail space just north of Columbia Street. Detroit-based Kraemer Design Group has been selected to design this $17 million renovation.

• 1922 Cass Ave. – This six-story, Albert Kahn-designed historic building would be renovated into 66,000 square feet of office space and 8,000 square feet of street-level retail space. With roots dating back more than 100 years, the site once included a carriage and wagon shop and later, a machine and engine shop. Detroit-based Albert Kahn Associates has been selected to design this $23 million renovation.

• 2110 Park Ave. – The interior of this six-story historic building would be renovated into 47,000 square feet of office space and 10,000 square feet of street-level retail space. Detroit-based Kraemer Design Group has been selected to design this $25 million renovation.

New Construction

• 2715 Woodward Ave. – This proposed $65 million development between Little Caesars Arena and Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University would include 110,000 square feet of office space and 17,000 square feet of street-level retail space.

• 111 Henry St. – This proposed $20 million mixed-use office, retail and parking development would be completed with 50,000 square feet of office space and 7,000 square feet of street-level retail space. It would continue to build on the success of Henry Street's popular retail and restaurants.

• 120 Henry St. – This proposed $48 million project would be developed adjacent to Chevrolet Plaza at the new Little Caesars Arena. The development includes 100,000 square feet of office space and 20,000 square feet of street-level retail space.

Previously designated as residential, this property is now envisioned as office space to meet surging demand for Class A office space in Detroit.

Other Developments Under Study for Phase Two

The historic Blenheim Building at 2218 Park Ave. is also under early feasibility study for potential redevelopment into residential units over street-level retail space. Feasibility studies are also underway for additional hotel and entertainment developments, several of which will take the place of existing surface parking lots.

Ongoing Momentum in Detroit and in The District Detroit

Since 2015, Olympia Development of Michigan has launched more than a dozen major development projects including Little Caesars Arena; office developments for Google, the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment and 313 Presents; four new restaurants; a team store; the Little Caesars world headquarters campus expansion; the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University; Chevrolet Plaza and other public spaces, infrastructure enhancement and more. Together, the projects set the stage for significant additional retail, office and residential development.

Planning, partnership and financing work continues for several previously announced residential historic renovations, including 110 Sproat St. (formerly the Eddystone), 150 Bagley Ave. (formerly the United Artists Building), 408 Temple St. (formerly the American Hotel) and 100 Temple St. (formerly the Alhambra). The District Detroit continues to pursue a 20% affordable housing goal.

With the upcoming launch of the Columbia Street shopping and dining destination between the Fox Theatre and the new Little Caesars world headquarters campus expansion, Olympia Development of Michigan will continue outreach to unique local, minority- and women-owned businesses as potential retail partners. The organization also continues to have conversations with, and welcomes, world-class partners to join its residential, retail, hotel and office developments.

WCCCD celebrates 50th anniversary

PRNewswire/ -- Wayne County Community College District's 50th Anniversary Celebration featured prominent civil rights attorney and former special counsel for New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Maya Wiley. Wiley was keynote speaker at the event, held on May 1st at the Detroit Marriot at the Renaissance Center.

The event honored WCCCD's 50 years of providing an open door to higher education for countless numbers across Wayne County; its regional leadership in workforce development, and its important role in economic development engine in southeast Michigan. The event also recognized the contributions of Chancellor Dr. Curtis L. Ivery, who has led the District's growth since 1996.

All proceeds from the event went to the WCCCD Scholarship Committee, a nonprofit which provides funds to students who otherwise would not be able to afford to start their college education.

Maya Wiley, a nationally known civil rights activist and attorney, is currently the Senior Vice President for Social Justice at the New School and the Henry Cohen Professor of Urban Policy and Management at The New School's Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Wiley worked for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) following law school at Columbia University in New York City. She served as board chair of the independent police oversight agency, the NYC Civilian Complaint Review Board, as well as special counsel to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

"We were honored to welcome Ms. Wiley, and our honorees, to the stage to help us celebrate 50 years of providing pathways to better lives through higher education," said Chancellor Ivery. "Ms. Wiley has made a career of advocating for equity in access to opportunity, and joins several other champions of that same effort on our stage. We understand that providing opportunity for all who seek it takes many pulling in the same direction, and we are proud to celebrate our role in that effort with some of its other leaders," said Ivery.

Senator Carl Levin; Chair of the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization Maureen Taylor, and UAW Vice President James "Jimmy" Settles Jr. were also honored during the evening's events.

The 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner was chaired by Dr. Rev. Wendell Anthony, Detroit Chapter President of the NAACP, and Pastor of Fellowship Chapel.

Bedrock commits $1M

to train Detroiters

PRNewswire/ -- Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti, joined officials from Quicken Loans and Bedrock to announce their $1 million investment in the Breithaupt Career and Technical School.

The investment kicks off the City's efforts to raise $9 million to revitalize the school's training programs and infrastructure over the next three years. When the improvements are completed, Breithaupt will serve hundreds of youth and adults seeking skilled trades training and career pathways.

Breithaupt Career and Technical School trains students in culinary arts, retail and hospitality; automotive service and collision repair; and mechatronics and welding. The technology-based, high-quality, hands-on education expands students' professional options and is a pathway to increased opportunity. The school currently engages 450 students and expects to grow to over 650 students as a result of this investment. Over the next three years, Breithaupt will serve over 2,000 youth and adults.

"Employment opportunities are continuing to expand in Detroit, and we need to make sure every Detroiter has access to job training and career pathways," said Mayor Mike Duggan. "That's why I am so excited about this investment in Breithaupt and in the City's other career technical education centers. Thanks to Quicken Loans' and Bedrock's generous contribution, we are off to a great start on revitalizing these critical programs."

The $1 million investment from Quicken Loans and Bedrock is the first major contribution to the project, a partnership between DPSCD, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC), the City of Detroit and Mayor Mike Duggan's Workforce Development Board. The effort will raise $9 million in funding and in-kind contributions to improve programming and infrastructure at Breithaupt.

"Detroit's long-term growth depends on job creation. We are proud to be part of an initiative that is training Detroit residents for the thousands of opportunities emerging around the city," said Bill Emerson, Vice Chairman of Quicken Loans. "We remain committed to ensuring that employment opportunities for Detroiters develop as the city grows. Programs like Breithaupt are a critical element of that equation."

Breithaupt will be the second of Detroit's career technical education schools to be revitalized after Randolph CTE center underwent a similar $10 million renovation, adding programs and replacing old equipment. Today, more than 300 high school students attend training programs at Randolph during the day in fields such as electrical, plumbing and masonry. More than 300 adults train in the same fields after school.

"Working together, we want to bring new life to Breithaupt through the perfect mix of private and public partnerships, as we did for Randolph," said David Meador, vice chairman and chief administrative officer at DTE, who also serves as the co-chairman of Mayor Mike Duggan's Workforce Development Board. "There are more career opportunities available to Detroiters than there have been in decades, so it's important to ensure the next generation have the skills they need to get good, quality jobs."

The CTE programs at Randolph and Breithaupt saw declines in enrollment before the partnership started the revitalization efforts. Now, DPSCD has seen increased enrollment at Randolph and expects enrollment to go up at Breithaupt following the program and infrastructure improvements.

"The transformation of Randolph and the district's ability to collaborate and implement effectively with business partners has inspired new projects and opportunities for schools, students, and economic development," said Vitti. "The most recent evidence of this is now at Breithaupt, where the investment in new facilities will position the district to offer unique automotive, culinary and cosmetology programming to accelerate our expansion of college and work-ready pathways for students. Detroit is seeing unprecedented cooperation between the district, city and business community to develop the next generation of talented employees."

Quicken Loans and Bedrock will also help the City and Breithaupt work with community and industry experts to align their curriculum with high-growth, high-demand industries. The goal of the program is to prepare students to enter the workforce and to provide them with the tools and skills to be successful.

"Our tenants have a strong need for people who have culinary arts, retail and hospitality skills, and Bedrock's investment in Breithaupt will help build a pipeline of talent for Detroit's growing economy," said Jim Ketai, CEO, Bedrock. "Our company is investing billions in transformational development projects that will generate tens of thousands of permanent and construction jobs in Detroit. Every tenant in our portfolio will benefit from gaining access to job candidates like those that graduate from Breithaupt."

These efforts are part of Mayor Duggan's Detroit at Work program, which connects Detroiters directly to jobs and training programs open today. There are currently more than 5,000 jobs and 100 training programs listed at DetroitatWork.com, many in high-growth sectors of healthcare, IT, construction, transportation, manufacturing, retail, hospitality and entertainment.

Quicken Loans and Bedrock will be joined by other partners in the effort to revitalize the school, including DTE Energy, Penske Corporation, General Motors and Ford Motor Company, with more to join as the effort gets under way.

Interested families and students seeking enrollment information should contact the Breithaupt Career and Technical School at 313-866-9550.