It was a big year for development news in Detroit, no doubt. While major news - like every time Dan Gilbert announced that he bought another building - hit news outlets like
Crain's Detroit Business and
Detroit Free Press almost instantaneously, at Model D we tended to focus more on small business stories. And you, dear readers, seemed to enjoy those the most, because numbers don't lie. (Except scales and birth certificates. Those lie.) So, for our final issue of the year and the final issue with Development News Editor Nicole Rupersburg at the helm, we're taking a moment to reflect on the year that was 2013. Here are our top stories from this year.
Starting Jan. 7, Model D will welcome a new Development News Editor, Michael (MJ) Galbraith. We look forward to seeing how he makes this news section his own in the coming year, and wish Nicole all the best in her future endeavors (and hope her voice will still occasionally be heard on Model D, even if not on a weekly basis).
(1) Top of the Pontch, Jefferson House, Urban Cellars opening in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Pontchartrain
You loved restaurant news this year, and there sure was a lot of restaurant news to love. Almost every major opening received major clicks (including
Whole Foods Midtown,
Two James Spirits, and
Detroit Institute of Bagels), it was the stories that Model D was able to cover first that got the most attention - including
MotorCity Wine's move to Corktown (#9), a
new Indian restaurant in Midtown (#11),
Always Brewing Detroit going permanent in Grandmont-Rosedale (#15), and a
new sandwich shop called Rubbed coming to Corktown (#19).
(2) Security Trust Lofts, downtown Detroit's newest housing development, ready to start leasing
Most major construction, renovation, and historic preservation projects in Detroit are met with a PR parade. This one was not. It happened quietly, with hardly a whisper. Model D was the first to cover it.
(3) SkyBar and Lounge now open on 33rd floor, previous ground floor space being renovated and expanded
Booze news. Always a winner.
(4) More Palmer Park apts set to come online in Feb, April
Previous Development News Editor Jon Zemke got the scoop on this one and got people talking about Kathy Makino-Leipsitz, co-owner of Shelborne Development, the developer that is heading up the renovation of the apartment buildings in Palmer Park and well as
much of the redevelopment in Jefferson Chalmers.
(5) Pie-Sci to open own pizzeria next to Woodbridge Pub
Another food story! We got the intel on Pie-Sci's soon-to-be permanent location (it just so happens to be attached to Woodbridge Pub, home of their weekly pop-up). Detroiters have spoken, and they want more pizza.