DBusiness Daily Update: M1DTW Architects Wins AIA Michigan Prize for 5000 Grand River Offices, and More

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
477
M1DTW Architects was awarded for its work on the 5000 Grand River Office’s interior architecture and design. // Photo by Jeffrey Kilmer
M1DTW Architects was awarded for its work on the 5000 Grand River Office’s interior architecture and design. // Photo by Jeffrey Kilmer

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.

M1DTW Architects Wins AIA Michigan Prize for 5000 Grand River Offices

M1DTW Architects in Detroit has been awarded a 2022 Design Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Michigan for its work on the 5000 Grand River Offices.

M1DTW and a team of other design collaborators were judged against more than 65 projects and were awarded among six building projects in Michigan.

M1DTW was awarded for its work on the 5000 Grand River Office’s interior architecture and design, alongside a host of other parties, including owner and developer, Prince Concepts; landscape architect, D.I.R.T. Studio; building designer, undecorated; architect-of-record, Iannuzzi Studio; and the late contractor, Jim Saad.

The 5000 Grand River project transformed a nondescript,1950s, warehouse-like building with very little natural light into a corporate office space adjoining three courtyards filled with Ginko trees and other plantings.

The benefit of the courtyards is two-fold — it allowed the interior to be filled with natural light and created a peaceful workplace with a connection to the outdoors, while also helping to solve the issue of the building’s crumbling roof (by removing 30 percent of it).

“Minimal and strategic interventions yield a delightful repurposing of space,” wrote the jury. “The jury enjoyed reviewing all of the submitted material for this project. Repurposing nondescript, big-box space (in this case, a grocery store) is a challenge and opportunity applicable in many communities.”

MMS Holdings Announces Expanded Decentralized Clinical Trial Offerings

MMS Holdings, a data-focused contract research organization in Canton Township, today announced a strategic partnership with Medidata, a Dassault Systems company, to provide clients a full range of solutions for clinical data management (CDM) and decentralized clinical trial (DCT) technologies, including Medidata’s unified platform and Rave EDC (electronic data capture).

The partnership with Medidata provides MMS greater flexibility to work with sponsors using their preferred database platform and expands its capacity to work with any data management system.

“Our ability to work on Medidata’s unified platform, specifically with Rave EDC, and other clinical data management solutions, opens up new opportunities to support sponsors through the MMS team’s expertise,” says James Bademian, director of statistical programming and data management at MMS Holdings.

Katrina Zorka, vice president of global partners at Medidata, says: “We have always recognized that partnerships are key to Medidata’s success. Our CRO partners, now including MMS Holdings, see the value of using Rave EDC to attract more sponsor business and bring therapeutics to patients faster.”

Medidata’s Rave EDC is said to be the most advanced, robust, and secure system for clinical trial site, patient, and lab data capture and management. It forms the cornerstone of the Medidata Clinical Cloud — the unified clinical research platform that connects processes, eliminates data reconciliation, and delivers cross-functional and cross-study data insights. This results in critical reductions in study build time, query volume, data correction rates, and reporting turnaround.

“By partnering with Medidata, MMS continues to innovate to meet the ever-changing needs of our clients and their patients,” says Michelle Gayari, executive vice president of global operational excellence and innovation at MMS Holdings.

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy Kicks Off Riverwalkers Program Today

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy kicked off the 2022 season of its popular Detroit Riverwalkers program this morning along the riverfront. Sponsored by AARP Michigan, the free program for adults ages 50-and-above promotes health and wellness by encouraging participants to walk along the Detroit Riverfront.

The program runs every Tuesday and Thursday from 8 to 10 a.m. through Aug. 25. Participants meet at Cullen Plaza along the riverfront, which is located at 1340 Atwater St. in downtown Detroit.

Program participants explore the Detroit Riverwalk at their own pace every and can avail themselves to a fitness class, blood pressure screenings, free giveaways, and the opportunity for participants to connect with health care professionals.

Tuesdays also feature AARP’s “Best Kept Secrets” offerings that feature topics such as “Learn What AARP Offers in Your Community,” “How to Prevent Identity Theft,” and “Health, Self and Wealth.”  A new topic is featured every Tuesday.

On Thursdays, participants can explore the Riverwalk at their own pace and enjoy a 9 a.m. fitness class.

“AARP is proud to be the sponsor of the 2022 Detroit Riverwalkers program where people can experience the most beautiful riverfront in the country while socializing, exercising and enjoying outstanding programs,” says Paula D. Cunningham, director of AARP Michigan. “We invite everyone to stop by our table in Cullen Plaza every Tuesday through Aug. 23 to get the inside scoop on AARP’s Best Kept Secrets. We will also be hosting Ernestine Shepherd on June 14, the world’s oldest female body builder, who will lead walkers on a half-mile trek along the riverfront and share her remarkable story.”

Meijer’s Rivertown Market, which opened in October 2021 on East Jefferson in the Rivertown District is also supporting the Detroit Riverwalkers program as snack sponsor.

To register for Detroit Riverwalkers, visit here.

1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake Reissue Brings in $662K at Auction

A 1967 Shelby GT500 Super Snake Reintroduction — No. 3 of only 10 made — sold at the 4th Annual Northwest Collector Car Auction in Pasco, Wash. for $662,000, the highest price paid at auction for this vehicle make introduced by Shelby American in 2018.

Truck and Auto Auctions offered the collector car, and it was the first one ever to be for resale. Originally out of the 10, five were shipped out of the country and one is owned by Jay Leno. The collector car was finished in a Wimbledon White with GT500 side stripes and Guardsman blue Super Snake striped. The car was sold with full documentation including Marti report, certificate of authenticity, build sheet, pre-delivery service sheet, and photos.

Davenport University and Pontiac School District Program to Address Teacher Shortage

Davenport University in Grand Rapids and the Pontiac School District have signed an agreement that will create 75 new scholarships toward urban education degrees or certificates for current students, staff, and parents within the school district.

Pontiac School District is the first school system to take advantage of this new program in east Michigan, which Davenport is offering to school districts statewide.

“Pontiac School District is among the first to participate in our College of Urban Education offerings in east Michigan,” said Richard J. Pappas, president of Davenport University. “It is an honor to work with this incredible team to now create an advanced education opportunity for current and future teachers.”

The Urban Education Partner School Program at Davenport University will provide up to $12,000 in funding per individual, each academic year, toward earning a bachelor of science in urban STEM or up to $7,000 per academic year toward earning a master’s in urban education or the urban education graduate certificate. Each scholarship will be renewable for up to four years. The aid may be applied to a variety of costs, including tuition, fees, books, meal plans, and housing.

“This new partnership with Davenport will be instrumental in helping us enhance the learning of our current staff to address the unique needs of our students for the last decade,” says Kelley Williams, superintendent of the Pontiac School District. “We are thrilled to work with Davenport to create scholarship opportunities for our students, staff and community to address the real teacher talent crisis our community is facing.”

School systems interested in this program are required to sign a memorandum of understanding and work collaboratively with Davenport to encourage students, employees, and parents of the school to pursue a degree in urban education.

Each partner school district will be eligible for 75 scholarships; up to 25 for current students, up to 25 for school employees, and up to 25 for parents of students currently enrolled in the school district. Individuals are eligible for a scholarship if they have not attended Davenport University as a student in the past 12 months.

For more information, visit here.

Gold Rating Recognizes MSU’s Efforts Toward Sustainability

For the second time, Michigan State University in East Lansing has received a Gold Rating for sustainability achievements through the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).

Released on a triennial basis, the university received its first gold rating in 2019 with 70.8 points. In 2022, MSU increased to 75.15 points and is the No. 1 rated school in the state.

“This Gold Rating is a point of pride for Spartans, especially from an organization that specializes in higher education,” says Dr. Samuel L. Stanley Jr., president of MSU. “Still, we always strive to do more. In the MSU strategic plan — Empowering Excellence, Advancing Equity and Expanding Impact — we laid out our intention to achieve a platinum rating by 2030. With all of our collective efforts, I know we can get there.”

AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking and Rating System, or STARS, is used by more than 900 public and private universities in 40 countries and is the most widely recognized framework in the world for publicly reporting comprehensive information related to a college or university’s sustainability efforts. Participants report achievements in four overall areas: academics, engagement, operations, and planning and administration.

The rating also recognized the research being conducted by MSU’s faculty toward sustainability challenges, often working with interdisciplinary teams in collaboration with communities around the world to solve global problems.

Other sustainability-related efforts at MSU include:

  • Committing to covert nearly 370 internal combustion engine vehicles in the fleet to fully electric vehicles over the next decade.
  • Processing more than 52,000 pounds of food waste each month through vermicomposting and the anaerobic digester.
  • Maintaining a resilient main campus through designated Campus Natural Areas and the Tree Management Plan that includes a one-for-one Tree Replacement Policy.
  • Engaging students in sustainable practices through signature programs including Eco Reps and Pack Up. Pitch In.

Applications for Michigan’s Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program Opening June 15 

The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office at the Michigan Economic Development Corp. announced that applications for the State Historic Preservation Tax Credit program will open at 9 a.m. on June 15. The application will close once all tax credits have been allocated for 2022.

“Throughout Michigan, we are fortunate to have many historic buildings that provide a sense of community history and opportunity for growth and investment,” says Mark A. Rodman, Michigan’s historic preservation officer. “However, unused buildings often contribute to blight and further disinvestment. In many cases, a stimulus can often ensure that these important structures are maintained and rehabilitated.

“The new State Historic Tax Credit program will assist in the revitalization of Michigan’s historic resources, resulting in vibrant, unique places where people want to live, work, visit, and play. We are excited to be able to offer this additional source for investment for both commercial and residential properties across the state.”

The State Historic Tax Credit Program will help support place-based projects while promoting the preservation of Michigan’s historic resources. The credit has a $5 million cap per calendar year.

The following general requirements apply for program consideration:

  • A property must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the State Register of Historic Sites, or be in a local historic district, and either be individually listed or contribute to a listed district to be eligible for the State Credit.
  • The state credit has a $5 million cap per calendar year, which will be divided as follows: $2 million for commercial projects with expenses of $2 million or greater, $2 million for commercial projects with expenses of less than $2 million, and $1 million total for owner-occupied residential projects.
  • Credit reservations will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • A three-part online application is used to apply for the State Credit. It is similar to the parts used for the Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit but is a completely independent and separate program and application.

Potential applicants are encouraged to review the New State Credit program FAQs to learn more details about the program here.

SHPO will host two overview webinars on June 13, followed by live Q&A. Each webinar will be recorded and published online on June 14:

  • Session 1: Commercial Tax Credit — 2-3 p.m.
  • Session 2: Residential Tax Credit — 5-6 p.m.

To register for one or both sessions, visit here.

To learn more about the State Historic Preservation Office and Historic Preservation Tax Credits, visit here.

Alternatives for Girls Opens Early Childhood Education Center

Alternatives For Girls (AFG) in Detroit has opened its Little Dreamers Early Childhood Education Center, which is licensed to serve eight infants and toddlers up to age five.

The young women in the organization’s shelter were faced with the same problems facing other hard-working mothers — they couldn’t find reliable childcare. Little Dreamers makes early childhood services accessible for young mothers in the AFG shelter.

Little Dreamers is providing the solution with the holistic approach of partnering with parents, case planners, and other staff to provide unique support for each child. Research-based practices will center around equity and celebrate diversity both in and out of the classroom.

Anyone wishing to volunteer, organize a drive, or organize a fundraiser to benefit AFG can contact Katie Couture, assistant manager of development at kcouture@alternativesforgirls.org.