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Jan_dismay
New member
Username: Jan_dismay
Post Number: 4
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 2:52 am: |       |
Also, an insightful post by Eric_c on detroityes.com
Posted on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 - 8:42 am:
These houses were erected roughly between 2004 and 2005 in Highland Park near Six Mile and Woodward. The homes were constructed by a St. Clair Shores developer who was honestly trying to help the neighborhood and turn a profit.
The problem however, is that the basements were improperly poured and as a result they leak ground and sewerage water. The City of Highland Park would not issue Certificates of Occupancy until the problem was resolved. Well guess what? To resolve the issue, the developer would have had to demolish the houses and start from scratch.
From what I understand, the developer sued the contractor who was hired to pour the basements, but the contractor went BK. The insurance companies wouldn't pay, either, so the developer himself filed BK and the rest is history.
The neighborhood was thrilled to have this development, but unfortunately, only a handful of the houses were ever offered for sale due to the flooding. Scavengers and scrappers are to blame for the present condition of the structures. |
Jan_dismay
New member
Username: Jan_dismay
Post Number: 3
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 2:48 am: | |
Here is the press release for "North Pointe Village":
CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Fred Durhal, Jr. Executive On Loan/Economic Development Director
(313) 252-0050x242
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FIRST NEW HOMES IN FIFTY YEARS FOR HIGHLAND PARK
Major Housing Development Signals City's Revitalization
Highland Park, MI - The ground breaking ceremony for construction of the first major housing development in 50 years is scheduled for Wednesday, December 22, 2005 at 10:00 AM at the corner of Church and John R. streets in one of the city's most housing depressed neighborhoods.
North Pointe Village, as the project is called, consists of 153 single-family housing units that will feature three models of housing, a ranch style home and a couple of two-story colonial style homes. The new modular housing has three bedrooms, two baths, kitchen, living and dining spaces and full basements. The housing will have landscaping and driveways. Garages are optional and can be attached or detached according to preference. The models being constructed are modular type homes that are superior to stick-built homes that are subjected to weather. These are not trailer-type homes. They are beautiful, tough and durable. These homes will come equipped with alarm systems, security lighting, sump pumps and appliances. The homes meet all state and BOCA specifications, says builder Joseph Cipriano. Construction is expected to continue over the next calendar year.
The houses will be priced between $130-155,000 and will feature a unique rent to own program that is designed to create first-time home buyers after a two-year or less credit repair effort. Applicants will also be required to participate in the local neighborhood watch program, join the existing community organization, attend classes on neighborhood living skills, and home repair and be subjected to credit and criminal background checks. "We are interested in having the home buyers become stakeholders in their immediate neighborhood and in the general city," remarked Daniel Russell, CEO of 3rd Day Investments. Equipping current and new residents with information and skill sets will foster a more stable and secure neighborhood. Occupancy of units is expected by Spring, 2005.
"North Pointe Village will bring in over $400,000 in new property and income tax revenues to the city as it grapples with the fiscal challenges" says Ramona Henderson-Pearson, Emergency Financial Manager who oversees the city's budget deficit and operating problems. "This housing development signals the systematic revitalization of the city. It is a part of the new and improved Highland Park," says Mayor Titus McClary. "This is one of many projects that will be announced in the very near future as we attempt to re-build this city". "North Pointe is a wonderful Christmas present for the citizens of our city", says City Council President Dr. Ameenah Omar.
The project is the effort of Candler/Stevens, Inc. builders, Blight Removal Consultants, Inc. and 3rd Day Investments. Consulting assistance was provided by the Michigan Economic Development |
Thomas_hilliard
New member
Username: Thomas_hilliard
Post Number: 25
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 6:05 pm: | |
Esteban, I no longer live in H.P. ,or the State for that matter, so I havn,t seen the house you were talking about, but where they are, isn,t that justv about where the old Monroe junk Yard used to be. Also Saint Ben,s church is in the same area? if so, as I rembere, thiose house, while not huge, were nice. Also, who would pay 100 gran plus, to live in a war zone. You can probally buy a house in Bagdad, for about 20 G,s |
Esteban
New member
Username: Esteban
Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 4:11 pm: | |
What were they thinking?!
North Pointe, Highland Park, MI, 2008
Highland Park was in serious trouble. It was losing population, it was bankrupt.
Something had to be done.
The best and brightest put their heads together. They reasoned, "Highland Park is losing tax-paying residents. Let's build a lot of ticky-tacky houses and people are sure to swamp our city, falling over themselves to be the first to buy one of these fine $130,000 houses!"
So rather than, say, care for what was already here - perhaps throw in some maintainable parks and playgrounds (a coffee shop would be nice,) they actually went ahead with this hair-brained housing scheme. Notice I use the work 'they', not specifically naming names? This is because, mysteriously, no one is running forward to take credit for "North Pointe" (Now, who came up with that name?!)
Cruise by. It's really rather astounding and would look really impressive on the cover of a National Geographic, "Failing city produces modern ghost town." Come check it out, Just East of Woodward, south of McNichols. The first three photos are taken in 2005, when the 'family homes' were spanking new. See how rather pathetic they look, compared to the magnificent ruins they stand next to. The proceeding nine photos were taken in January 2008. A quick trip through the real estate database shows that the few folks who were actually foolish enough to purchase these fine establishments have long since defaulted. The boxes now stand mute and empty, close to a hundred of them. The doors kicked in, windows smashed, copper stripped. Now, let's play a game. Let's see which ruins last longer. The ones just completed, or the ones constructed close to a century ago? |
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