Meijer to Open along Woodward Corridor in Detroit
News Briefs - Original 05-21-2013 Hits:14 
Roz Edward, National Content Director
Melvin London works on striping the new parking lot spaces at Meijer in the Gateway Marketplace, at Eight Mile and Woodward in Detroit. (Clarence Tabb Jr. /The Detroit News) Developers at Detroit's Gateway Marketplace have something to brag about. Construction for a Meijer Superstore, the development's anchor store and the corner stone of the Woodward revitalization project is ahead of schedule. Leasing on the $72 million project also is moving forward, and the center will be 95 percent leased or better this fall, said Bruce Babiarz, a spokesman for the developer, Southfield-based Redico “There’s a resurgence in Detroit. It’s not only downtown, but it’s happening here at Eight Mile and Woodward. We’re building a brand-new shopping center from the ground up. It’s the largest in terms of size in the city in decades,” Babiarz said. The Meijer Siperstore which is slated to open in July of this year and the Gateway project are expected to spur development in the surrounding area along Woodward, particularly the former Michigan State Fairgrounds, Babiarz added. “It’s got real potential, and the success of this project may be the catalyst for that property.” Meijer Inc. is starting its hiring push to bring about 400 of the estimated 700 jobs to the Gateway project. Other retailers slated to open this year include discount retailer Marshalls, apparel retailer Dots, PNC Bank and a McDonald’s. In all, the project has more than 325,000 square feet of retail.
Read moreGM Hires Detroit-area High Schoolers to Serve, Learn, Lead
News Briefs - Original 05-20-2013 Hits:218 
Cathy Nedd
As GM Student Corps members, they’ll help improve neighborhoods, learn valuable life skills A group of 110 Detroit-area high school students are about to begin paid summer internships as members of the brand-new GM Student Corps, a program introduced today by General Motors North America President Mark Reuss that combines service, education and mentoring. The students representing 11 United Way Network of Excellence Schools will work in teams of 10 to develop and implement service projects in Detroit-area neighborhoods. Helping to train and mentor them are 60 GM retirees and 12 GM student interns from the University of Detroit Mercy, where many students major in service-based programs. Employee volunteers from TeamGMCares also will assist throughout the summer. The teams are currently planning their projects. Work is scheduled to begin in mid-June and conclude in August. “Improving the quality of life in our communities means more than writing a check,” said Reuss. “It also requires investing in our young people, teaching them how good it feels to see their hard work help others, and providing them with the skills they need to lead and succeed as professionals and as citizens. Once you serve, you’re hooked for life.” A unique aspect of the GM Student Corps is that it unites people from a range of age groups and walks of life to work toward a common goal – improving local neighborhoods – while helping students develop career skills. Schools participating in the GM Student Corps are: Central Collegiate Academy, Detroit Public Schools Cody Campus, East Detroit High School, Hamtramck High School, Harper Woods High School, Henry Ford High School, Madison High School, Melvindale High School, Detroit Public Schools Osborn Campus, River Rouge High School and Van Dyke Lincoln High School. In addition to managing every aspect of their projects, from budgeting to planning to implementation,...
Read moreJudge McCree Faces Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission Today
News Briefs 05-20-2013 Hits:275 
AJ Williams, Chronicle Web Editor
A Wayne County Circuit judge accused of having an affair with a complaining witness in a child support case before him, then discussing the case with her, is expected to testify during a hearing over the allegations that begins this morning in Ann Arbor. For Full Story Click Here.
Read more13 People Shot In Detroit Within 24-Hour Period
News Briefs 05-18-2013 Hits:142 
News One
Detroit recently hired a new police chief. But if Chief James Craig[1] was expecting a honeymoon period, he was sadly mistaken. Fox 2 News Detroit reports[2] that 13 people were shot within a 24-hour period. Though, during a press conference this week, the department failed to mention it, according to Fox 2 News[3]. In fact, when a reporter asked about the high number of shootings during a press conferece, a police department spokesperson shut it down. For some reason, asking about crime numbers seemed to be a bit of an issue. It’s something that Detroit Police Commission Chairman Rev. Jerome Warfield says he wants to change. “Part of community policing is to arm the community with as much information as you can give them in order [that] they may look out for you,” Warfield said. “If these type of activities are going on, then the community can coalesce and come together and then be able to help the police in their job.” The most recent shooting involved the death of 54-year-old Almeter ...
Read moreFannie Mae Snubs Detroit
News Briefs - Original 05-17-2013 Hits:525 
Amber Bogins
UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, disappointed and angered by the withdrawal of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from a Detroit hearing on foreclosures, will proceed with plans to co-host the May 20 event. “This was our chance for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to listen and learn about how destructive their policy of foreclosure and eviction is for metro Detroit,” says Estrada, who anticipates spirited testimony at the People’s Hearing. “They need to see and hear the evidence that their policies are hurting working families and undermining neighborhoods.” Following two months of discussion and planning, the federal agencies have withdrawn from the hearing at the direction of legal counsel, claiming-- at the 11th hour-- that it would be “awkward” for officials to hear testimony from homeowners who are in litigation fighting eviction by Fannie or Freddie. Throughout the planning process, organizers of the event provided full disclosure of the anticipated agenda and details of the public hearing. Officials from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the failing mortgage investors taken over by the federal government in 2008, agreed in March to come to Detroit and hear testimony from homeowners, union members, and community leaders about the foreclosure crisis. Fannie and Freddie, which own or insure more than half of all residential mortgages in the country, have foreclosed on more than 15,000 families in Wayne County since the government takeover by the Federal Housing and Finance Agency (FHFA). Thousands more have lost their homes in Oakland and Macomb. Fannie and Freddie have declared a moratorium on foreclosures in areas stricken by Hurricane Sandy. Estrada and organizers from Detroit Eviction Defense argue that they should do the same for Metro Detroit, flattened by banking fraud, mass unemployment, and the resulting storm surge of foreclosures. They are also calling on Fannie and Freddie to reverse their current...
Read more64-Year-Old Stabbed At Gas Station As Customers Stood By And Watched
News Briefs 05-17-2013 Hits:138 News One
A 64-year-old Detroit man is recovering at a local hospital after he was viciously stabbed at a gas station. The unidentified victim spoke to Fox 2 News Detroit[1] about the attack that took place around 5 a.m. He says he was approached by a would-be-thief who demanded money. Soon after the demand, the attack began. At first, the thief began punching him. Then the punches turned to stabbing and continued until he passed out. “I didn’t realize that I was bleeding until I hit the floor,” he said. “All the blood started coming out and I got real weak and I couldn’t move.” The victim was left with stab wounds in his chest and abdomen. He is expected to recovery, but may have to undergo surgery Friday. Police said they’ve arrested a 27-year old Detroit man who lived near the gas station where the attack took place. He’s expected to be arraigned Friday. ...
Read more
