New 50 unit development @ Cass & Canfield

**apbest** · June-01-10, 08:54 AM

http://modeldmedia.com/devnews/theauburn060110.aspx

**Gistok** · June-01-10, 09:12 AM

Two things that stand out on this announcement...

1) the Roxbury Group are the folks that paid to have the Book Cadillac parking structure enhanced so that they could build 78 luxury condos on top... of course that didn't happen due to the economy going into the toilet.

2) first time I've heard of the Ford Foundation committing any money to ANYTHING in Detroit in recent years.

**leland_palmer** · June-01-10, 09:45 AM

2) first time I've heard of the Ford Foundation committing any money to ANYTHING in Detroit in recent years.

Mike Cox shook some money out of them.

**downtownguy** · June-02-10, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by Gistok

first time I've heard of the Ford Foundation committing any money to ANYTHING in Detroit in recent years.

Actually Ford Foundation has been active in Detroit in recent years including $25 million to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and smaller grants to the DIA, Museum of African American History and Arab American National Museum.

**English** · June-01-10, 10:11 AM

This is great news for WSU students and twentysomething professionals! It is a great area and the price is lower than university student housing in the area.

My only quibble is that there are buildings in the neighborhood that could be rehabbed instead... but I know some people prefer new construction.

**rbdetsport** · June-01-10, 10:20 AM

My only complaint with this development is that it is at only 3 stories. Don't get me wrong, it is a great infill development and it looks like it is designed well, but its location is right next to the taller University Towers. I wish for better consistency in the future.

**esp1986** · June-01-10, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by rbdetsport

My only complaint with this development is that it is at only 3 stories. Don't get me wrong, it is a great infill development and it looks like it is designed well, but its location is right next to the taller University Towers. I wish for better consistency in the future.

I am with you for the most part, but at least they are using all of the land. We would all like to see things build up, but there isn't much of a financial case for them to build up, as costs go up exponentially, considering part of the project is relient on grants. I will take whatever we can get.

**Gsgeorge** · June-01-10, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by rbdetsport

My only complaint with this development is that it is at only 3 stories. Don't get me wrong, it is a great infill development and it looks like it is designed well, but its location is right next to the taller University Towers. I wish for better consistency in the future.

Give me a break. I don't think this is a concern at all. Most of the other buildings in the area are 2-4 stories. It's University Tower, sitting in its sea of parking and setback from the road, that is out of place.

At the very least, this may mean that the affects of the Recession are being reversed, at least in Midtown. This might be the first of many similar developments, and I sure hope so!

**esp1986** · June-01-10, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by Gsgeorge

Give me a break. I don't think this is a concern at all. Most of the other buildings in the area are 2-4 stories. It's University Tower, sitting in its sea of parking and setback from the road, that is out of place.

At the very least, this may mean that the affects of the Recession are being reversed, at least in Midtown. This might be the first of many similar developments, and I sure hope so!

This development is exactly what Detroit needs. AFFORDABLE housing, young people can't afford anything else, and considering that is what most of Midtown's population is, it is perfect. It would be nice if there were more of this closer to downtown. The lack of this is a big reason there aren't many people downtown or in Midtown. $1000 per month in rent is hardly affordable for someone making 40-50k per year. It seems that is the going rate for housing too, and it just isn't realistic in this market.

**casscorridor** · June-01-10, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by esp1986

This development is exactly what Detroit needs. AFFORDABLE housing, young people can't afford anything else, and considering that is what most of Midtown's population is, it is perfect. It would be nice if there were more of this closer to downtown. The lack of this is a big reason there aren't many people downtown or in Midtown. $1000 per month in rent is hardly affordable for someone making 40-50k per year. It seems that is the going rate for housing too, and it just isn't realistic in this market.

Exactly. I think Midtown is close to the peak for how many young people it can house without building new or additional rehabs. The luxury apartments and condos don't count because most young people can't afford them. It is very exciting to hear about new construction. And I'm sure this won't be the last announcement. There should be many more to come soon.

But perhaps the most exciting thing is not so much the housing as it is the retail. I've been thinking this for awhile now, but Cass Ave and Canfield Ave are basically positioning themselves as the main shopping areas in Midtown. Especially with the Midtown loop which will come online around the same time this building is completed. I imagine every lot filled with buildings and dozens of stores lining the streets, and hundreds of pedestrians strolling around the loop, casually shopping on a sunny afternoon.

**Danny** · June-01-10, 01:04 PM

YAY! Keep on developing Cass Corridor.

http://maps.google.com/

**majohnson** · June-01-10, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by casscorridor

Exactly. I think Midtown is close to the peak for how many young people it can house without building new or additional rehabs. The luxury apartments and condos don't count because most young people can't afford them. It is very exciting to hear about new construction. And I'm sure this won't be the last announcement. There should be many more to come soon.

But perhaps the most exciting thing is not so much the housing as it is the retail. I've been thinking this for awhile now, but Cass Ave and Canfield Ave are basically positioning themselves as the main shopping areas in Midtown. Especially with the Midtown loop which will come online around the same time this building is completed. I imagine every lot filled with buildings and dozens of stores lining the streets, and hundreds of pedestrians strolling around the loop, casually shopping on a sunny afternoon.

Hundreds of pedestrians on a sunny afternoon, lol.
You must only smoke the best of the best.

**iheartthed** · June-01-10, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by esp1986

This development is exactly what Detroit needs. AFFORDABLE housing, young people can't afford anything else, and considering that is what most of Midtown's population is, it is perfect. It would be nice if there were more of this closer to downtown. The lack of this is a big reason there aren't many people downtown or in Midtown. $1000 per month in rent is hardly affordable for someone making 40-50k per year. It seems that is the going rate for housing too, and it just isn't realistic in this market.

What costs $1000/month to rent in Detroit?

lincoln8740 · June-01-10, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by iheartthed

What costs $1000/month to rent in Detroit?

kales building second floor

and someone better tell the developer that making announcements in model D is usually the first step towards either not even putting a shovel in the ground or defaulting!

**esp1986** · June-01-10, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by iheartthed

What costs $1000/month to rent in Detroit?

My comment was more focused at downtown. Midtown is a bit less but still too much for most.

DetroitDad · June-01-10, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by iheartthed

What costs $1000/month to rent in Detroit?

Anything halfway decent in the better areas. Basically Studio One, MidMed Lofts, Garfield Lofts, and countless other newer buildings. I am having a real hard time finding anything that is in my price range [[$700-$800) that is affordable and comparable to the quality in our inner suburbs.

**Huggybear** · June-01-10, 09:25 PM

I'd be more bent out of shape about the massive setback in front of the [[out of scale and Southfield-Town-Center-Ugly) University Towers but suum cuique.

Originally Posted by rbdetsport

My only complaint with this development is that it is at only 3 stories. Don't get me wrong, it is a great infill development and it looks like it is designed well, but its location is right next to the taller University Towers. I wish for better consistency in the future.

**STEELWORKER** · June-01-10, 09:57 PM

This is the lot that is fenced off with the radio tower correct? I lived in the fraternity house across the street from this for a few years and back then it was a horrible area that was the edge between relative safe and dangerous.

**Warrenite84** · June-01-10, 11:06 PM

I'd like to see this project prepped to handle up to 3 more floors if future developments warrant it. If not, it will still be a welcome addition to the community.

**Russix** · June-02-10, 02:18 AM

Originally Posted by Warrenite84

I'd like to see this project prepped to handle up to 3 more floors if future developments warrant it. If not, it will still be a welcome addition to the community.

Me too, but we still have room to put another one of these across Cass, one kitty corner to it, two more across the street from Uni Tower, 3 along Forest Ave. between Cass and 2nd, and maybe something where the dead Laundromat is. Every time I walk by that place I realize how absolutely backward it is.

**leady106** · August-24-11, 12:46 PM

The one story building on Cass and Canfield have been demolished. Is the Auburn apartment project officially under way? Has anyone heard about the status of the Forest Arms renovation?

**Pcm** · August-24-11, 04:50 PM

It sure has.

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**wolverine** · June-02-10, 12:20 AM

The design is nice. Just change those cheesy juliet balconies to a solid glass railing and you are good to go.

DetroitDad · June-02-10, 06:55 PM

Detroit doesn't need any more super projects. Better to make smaller additions and changes until bugs are worked out, and we are more experienced as a region in building urban buildings and spaces.

Where skyscrapers and high rises seem to work is at transit hubs, like the World Trade Center/Freedom Tower was/is built above a convergence of transit lines in New York City, and like how the Sears Tower is built near many major terminals and transit hubs in Chicago.

Does this all sound accurate from our transit minded forumers?

**casscorridor** · June-02-10, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitDad

Site of the future Auburn apartment building site in Midtown Detroit [[less than one mile from Downtown Detroit).

Attachment 6299

Attachment 6301

The site is actually the Southeast corner of Cass and Canfield, not the Northeast. That means the former proposed Aco Hardware site, also the site of the "blighted" building where the Banksy graffiti was removed. The main portion of the building will front Cass, directly across from Curl Up & Dye... they should be excited considering 9 new store fronts will be across the street.

As for that site you point out, I'm pretty sure that is being reserved for the next phase of South University Village, which will probably be a building similar in size to Studio One. I wouldn't be surprised if an announcement was made for that soon, considering I think the next phase is slated to begin next year.