Broadway Street Developments

[downtownguy]

This little stretch of 3 blocks downtown is quite the beehive of activity. Lot of things are happening and I turn to forumers who may have the latest news on any of these developments.

Anchoring North Broadway is Dan Gilbert's Madison Building. This has been getting a fair amount of attention in the press, so I think we're pretty well informed. However, moving south a few storefronts Small Plates has closed their doors. A recently placed sign on the front door says they will reopen April 5, 2011. I'll assume this means "in a few weeks." The last few years have been topsy-turvy here, with changes in ownership and a Chapter 11 filing. I've heard it's going to reopen as a sports bar, which seems fitting for the neighborhood, but I'd prefer something more original. Does anybody have more to add here?

After a flurry of activity at the Wurlitzer, nothing much has happened recently aside from more bricks falling into the Alley.

In the middle block, The Boll Family YMCA always seems active, and that's a good thing.

But SoBro may have the most activity. A "gospel cafe" is planned for the old City Warehouse spot in the Merchant's Building. They've been working on it for a few months now, mostly at night, probably after their day job.

Across the parking lot is the Harvard Square Building [[not sure of it's original name). It was once a proposed loft development by Dennis Kefallinos, who I believe lost it for back taxes and reacquired it. A few years ago, the storefront was a nightclub. They're doing some work on it now. Comcast and the soda syrup people have all stopped by recently, so something is imminent. I don't think they're doing anything upstairs, but those could be some nice lofts. However, based on Kefallinos past loft developments, they will probably be done on the cheap, if they're ever done.

The night club Mandee's closed late last summer not long after 3 people were shot in an incident there. Now, KaCent, a restaurant [[club?) formerly located in the 600 block of Woodward has a sign on the plate glass window.

Blumz Floral Designs moved out of the first floor of the Tobin Building at the intersection of Gratiot a few months ago. They're now one block away on Library St next to Vicente's. One of those private mail box operations occupies the space now.

Across the street is another Kefallinos property, the Cary Building. This was one of his earlier loft developments. Then it was vacant for a while. Near as I can tell, someone occupies one of the upper floors now. I always thought the huge, arched windows in that building would make the best lofts around. Several months ago the medical marijuana joint on the Gratiot-facing storefront moved out and blinds went up in the Broadway facing storefront. A hand-made sign on the glass directed you to the front door of the "wellness center." I could see lights on the the narrow opening of the blinds, but never saw one person enter or exit. Now, they've got a more permanent "Massage Therapy" sign above the door.

Next door, Henry the Hatter seems to continue going strong.

And next to Henry is the former Bert's on Broadway jazz club. It seems to have gone through a few changes lately, but last summer seemed to be doing an ok lunch biz with a sidewalk grill, tables and the occasional piano player. After being closed most of the winter, it opened a month or two ago for just a few weeks. Newspaper went up on the glass, and now it's down again, but not yet open. I can't remember if the sign over the door is new or not. Blazin' 7s, I think it is.

And finally, the Lafer Building seems to keep occupants in its lofts judging by the lights I see at night and dogs coming and going with their owners.

So forumers, they say the neon lights shine bright on Broadway. But what's going on behind the scenes?