Russell Industrial Center expands

The Russell Industrial Center continues to grow. The Free Press reports that in addition to the buildings' growing stable of art studios, the complex will soon feature a retail market, a film theater, and a drive-in.

Can Calloway fix DPS?

The Metrotimes evaluates the performance of Connie Calloway, Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools, who is charged with stabilizing a district that now anticipates a $400-million shortfall this year and is contemplating a drastic deficit-reduction plan.

Community development on the west side

The Metrotimes profiles John George and Motor City Blight Busters on the city's west side.

Protect Belle Isle from development

Back in March, the mayor announced a plan to build a maritime academy on the site of the historic Detroit Boat Club. That plan is receiving renewed and much needed scrutiny in today's Free Press by John Gallagher.

He asks a simple question: Is this what we want for Belle Isle? I hope the answer is no. Belle Isle is a beautiful park meant for recreational use by city residents. It is not and never should be a site for dense development. Any renovation of the park (and it deserves more funding and better maintenance) should preserve the island for use by people, not development.

Minneapolis's community-based comeback

Larry Gabriel of the Metrotimes looks to Minneapolis for inspiration, where a resident-led revitalization plan has had great success.

I agree with the thesis -- the city needs to let neighborhoods prioritize their own needs and then fund community groups to address them. A few business leaders may save downtown, but neighborhood revitalization can only happen bottom-up. A key to making this happen will be electoral reform. City council members should be elected by district, not at-large, so they can finally be held accountable (and so they fairly represent the city's diversity -- Southwest Detroit deserves a council member).

Gilbert will build two towers downtown

John Gallagher of the Free Press says Dan Gilbert plans to develop both offered parcels downtown -- the Hudson site on Woodward and the Statler site on Grand Circus Park. One will house Quickens' headquarters while the other will be "a mixed-used office, retail and possibly residential tower." No word yet on which will be which; he has until November to decide. Rumor has it that the Deloitte & Touche consulting firm may also build a new tower downtown when its lease at the Ren Cen expires.

CAID funk night raided by SWAT team

The CAID's funk night was busted by a SWAT team last night. Judging from reports online, the raid was frightening and abusive. Check out Web Vomit and Five Three Dial Tone for the gruesome details. Hopefully CAID and its patrons have access to qualified attorneys.

Dequindre Cut to open in July

The Dequindre Cut, the rails-to-trail greenway connecting Eastern Market to the RiverWalk, is set to open July 1, according to a brief item in the Free Press.