Monday, June 09, 2008
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Watermark Treading Water *UPDATE*
Dave Bing's $60 million condominium project recently received a $700,000 loan from the city's Economic Development Corporation. The development is struggling due to the downturn in the housing market. Lenders have imposed a 65% pre-sale requirement on the 112 unit project before releasing construction funds. To date Watermark has only sold 22 units, with another 12 units in the pipeline.
*UPDATE*
Plans have been revised by Dave Bing for his Watermark condominium project. In the new plan a row of homes facing Atwater have been eliminated because they failed attract any buyers. The number of penthouse units have been increased in the nine story tower and the number of town houses have been decreased in number, but increased in size.
The new Watermark will contain 98 units instead of 112. It is hoped that these changes will help the development meet the sales benchmark established by the banks. Bing must pre-sell two-thirds of the units before the banks will release construction money.
*UPDATE*
Plans have been revised by Dave Bing for his Watermark condominium project. In the new plan a row of homes facing Atwater have been eliminated because they failed attract any buyers. The number of penthouse units have been increased in the nine story tower and the number of town houses have been decreased in number, but increased in size.
The new Watermark will contain 98 units instead of 112. It is hoped that these changes will help the development meet the sales benchmark established by the banks. Bing must pre-sell two-thirds of the units before the banks will release construction money.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
The Maddness of King Kwame
First Mayor Kilpatrick claimed that the City Council violated the city charter by asking Governor Granholm to remove him from office without first submitting the resolution to him for his approval or veto. Then, he went on to veto the resolution after council's attorney William Goodman had already delivered the request to the Governor. Now, in his latest act of lunacy, the mayor has vetoed the city council's earmark of $250,000 to pay for lawyer fees to oust him.
The council should have no problem overriding this veto as it did when the mayor attempted to scuttle the resolution sent forth to the Governor. However, this yet another example of the Mayor's desperate strategy to remain in office: delay, deny, lie, litigate, repeat!
While Kilpatrick continues to exhibit his arrogance and lack of concern for the citizens of Detroit, the city is subjected to further ridicule in this farcical melodrama. The end of this maddness cannot come soon enough.
The council should have no problem overriding this veto as it did when the mayor attempted to scuttle the resolution sent forth to the Governor. However, this yet another example of the Mayor's desperate strategy to remain in office: delay, deny, lie, litigate, repeat!
While Kilpatrick continues to exhibit his arrogance and lack of concern for the citizens of Detroit, the city is subjected to further ridicule in this farcical melodrama. The end of this maddness cannot come soon enough.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Detroit Light Rail Project Has Major Backers
A plan by billionaires Dan Gilbert and Roger Penske to construct a privately funded $103 million light rail loop on Woodward Avenue is being supported by Sen. Majority Leader Mike Bishop and House Speaker Andy Dillon. This could signal bipartisan support from the Legislature, eliminating a potential hurdle for a wider transportation network in metro Detroit.
During a pannel discussion on Mackinac Island today, the House and Senate leaders acknowledged publicly for the first time that Gilbert and Penske were involved in the project. Previously, details had been kept secret about the proposal, especially the identities of its backers.
The Woodward Transit Catalyst Project would be a street-level loop 3.4 miles long along Woodward that would run between Hart Plaza and Grand Boulevard. It would include about a dozen stops at high-traffic areas that include major businesses, theaters, ballparks, museums and hospitals. The line would potentially be the first stage of a larger, regional transit system.
During a pannel discussion on Mackinac Island today, the House and Senate leaders acknowledged publicly for the first time that Gilbert and Penske were involved in the project. Previously, details had been kept secret about the proposal, especially the identities of its backers.
The Woodward Transit Catalyst Project would be a street-level loop 3.4 miles long along Woodward that would run between Hart Plaza and Grand Boulevard. It would include about a dozen stops at high-traffic areas that include major businesses, theaters, ballparks, museums and hospitals. The line would potentially be the first stage of a larger, regional transit system.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
A Ticking Time Bomb?
Remember when Prosecutor Kim Worthy said that her investigation into Text Message Scandal was ongoing? Well, if the rumors are true, the other shoe is about to drop. John K. Bennett at Detroit Uncovered is suggesting that as many as 20 city employees could be charged in the very near future. Members of the police department as well as a number of city lawyers may soon receive a new perspective on our legal system.
On another note, questions have risen about Monica Conyers recent behavior. Aside for her random outbursts, she was insistent upon the city council reviewing all of the text messages prior to giving any consent to their release. She has also done a 180 in regards to the Mayor and she now appears to be squarely in his corner. Monica was the only council person to attend the recent Pancakes and Politics breakfast and was one of the first guest on the Mayor's new "Real Talk" television show. Ken Cockrel Jr. alluded to her change of heart publicly and has even suggested that the media investigate. Was there something in those test messages that Monica dosen't want the public to know?
It's starting to smell like Monica Conyers might have some skeletons in her closet. Mildred Gaddis has alluded to something tasty involving Monica on her show. So far she has held back. However, on Tuesday morning Mildred mentioned that those wondering what is behind Mrs. Conyers recent behavior could find out in the coming weeks.
Is it a coincidence that these two developments seem to coincide? Is Monica caught up in the current scandal, or has she been digging a separate grave for herself? Only time will tell.
On another note, questions have risen about Monica Conyers recent behavior. Aside for her random outbursts, she was insistent upon the city council reviewing all of the text messages prior to giving any consent to their release. She has also done a 180 in regards to the Mayor and she now appears to be squarely in his corner. Monica was the only council person to attend the recent Pancakes and Politics breakfast and was one of the first guest on the Mayor's new "Real Talk" television show. Ken Cockrel Jr. alluded to her change of heart publicly and has even suggested that the media investigate. Was there something in those test messages that Monica dosen't want the public to know?
It's starting to smell like Monica Conyers might have some skeletons in her closet. Mildred Gaddis has alluded to something tasty involving Monica on her show. So far she has held back. However, on Tuesday morning Mildred mentioned that those wondering what is behind Mrs. Conyers recent behavior could find out in the coming weeks.
Is it a coincidence that these two developments seem to coincide? Is Monica caught up in the current scandal, or has she been digging a separate grave for herself? Only time will tell.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Your City Clowncil at Work!
Way to represent Monica! In the event that Ken Cockrel Jr. has to take up the position of Mayor do we really want this woman running the City Council?