Items Tagged ‘Michigan’
Lansing’s High-Tech Industry Goes To Schools
Synopsis:
While Michigan may be facing the highest unemployment rates in the country, entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the times to jump start the economy. Companies are purchasing abandoned school buildings in Lansing, renovating the vacant properties and setting up new ventures. The adapted schools are seeing new life and bringing new opportunities to a community hit hard by the recession. Due to budget issues and decreased values, the companies are able to obtain the properties all low costs (significantly lower than if they built new) and get their operations up and running very quickly. Many of these businesses specialize in technology, helping the state to transition and diversify its economic base.
Eyesore Of The Week
Synopsis:
Kirby continues the City Pulse building criticism section, this time examining fast food restaurant chain structures. The “eyesore” featured – an abandoned Boston Market restaurant in Okemos, Michigan. As he points out, these structures are built specifically for one use, so much so that the layout and exterior design are completely catered (and mass produced) for one specific tenant. While there are examples of some of these buildings being adapted for new uses once the restaurant shuts down, its construction makes it very difficult. As a future-planning model, Kirby looks at the Detroit-based S.S. Kresge Dime Store design book. This particular chair individually-designed its stores to fit within the communities they were located. By designing for the location rather than the tenant, the stores have been adapted very easily.
State OKs Tax Credits to Turn Abandoned Ford Plant in Wixom, Michigan into Green Energy Factory
Synopsis:
The Michigan Economic Growth Authority has approved tax incentives that will help two out-of-state companies set up shop in the vacant Ford Motor Company plant in Wixom. $125 million has been authorized as part of the photovoltaic Michigan Business Tax Credits and will benefit Clairvoyant Energy and Xtreme Power. These two companies along with Oerlikon Solar USA will be repurposing the auto plant into a solar panel and advanced battery production complex. With manufacturing starting in 2011, the venture has the potential of employing 4,000 people.
Everything is Going to be Alright
Publication Date:
Summer 2008Written By:
Robert and Andrew LinnSource:
Next American CityRead more...
Synopsis:
Detroit seems to be the anti-adaptive reuse city of America. Robert and Andrew Lin paint a picture of a city (and state) willing to tear down all the old building and factories to make way for the “New Detroit.” They claim that many Detroiters see empty buildings as liabilities rather than opportunities, choosing “short-term profits from marginally beneficial new developments…over preserving buildings with immense potential.” The critics of adaptive reuse point to health and safety issues (some buildings may be difficult to bring up to code) as well as funding (banks have a hard time evaluating such projects). The city charges 65% more for an adaptive reuse permit than a demolition permit. The state and city also moved quickly to condemn and demolish a number of historic buildings for Super Bowl XL.
There are supporters of adaptive reuse in the city who see the buildings as representing “the raw material, the building blocks for rebuilding the City.” For many, they have a financial benefit to adaptive reuse, being able to operate much larger businesses due to lower rents. Even illegal “takings” by underground music and arts venues of vacant buildings are passed over by law enforcement. They consider that these “businesses” may be more beneficial than harmful.
New City Parks & Forestry Location “Dearly Needed,” Adrian Mayor Says
Synopsis:
When the city of Adrian, Michigan, needed a new City Parks & Forestry building, they looked to an existing building rather than constructing a new structure. The former Adelante Manufacturing facility was bought and renovated for $1.4 million and provides the department more than three times the space of their previous location. “Relocating to an existing building saved the city about $1 million compared to building a new facility.”
Eyesore of the Week
Synopsis:
As part of a continuing series, McNamara looks at an ex-gas station in Lansing which he considers an eyesore. The owner of the property would like to reuse the structure but architecture critic Amanda Harrell-Seyburn disagrees. Most gas stations are built in such a way that they do not lend themselves to easy adaptive reuse. She suggests that gas stations be developed with an eye to the future, making the property and building easier to reuse if the gas company vacates. Gas stations tend to be in prime locations that mark the urban fabric. Left vacant, it can have a big impact on the community.