Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
National Register of Historic Places Adds 22 Michigan Sites in 2022
Twenty-two historic Michigan properties were given special recognition in 2022 through their listing in the National Register of Historic Places, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. has announced.
Administered in Michigan by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the National Register of Historic Places is the United States federal government’s official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance.
“The historic properties listed in the past year range from big cities to rural towns and landscapes, each embodying a significant story in the history of our communities, our state, and our nation,” says Martha MacFarlane-Faes, the state’s deputy historic preservation officer. “National Register designation recognizes our shared history, fosters a sense of pride in our communities, and propels economic investment and activity.
“SHPO is proud to partner with so many people and communities across the state in celebrating this diverse group of properties which have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2022.”
More than 96,000 properties across the country, including nearly 2,000 in Michigan, have been listed in the National Register since the program began in the 1960s. The National Register is a program of the National Park Service and is administered by the states.
The following Michigan properties were listed in the National Register in 2022:
- Elijah Bull House, Bloomfield Township
- Walbri Hall, Bloomfield Township
- Luther Burbank School, Detroit
- Marygrove College, Detroit
- Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Michigan, Detroit
- Orsel and Minnie McGhee House, Detroit
- Sojourner Truth Homes, Detroit
- William E. Higginbotham Elementary School, Detroit
- Ernest J. and Edna Humphrey Farm, Ewen
- Heartside Historic District (boundary increase), Grand Rapids
- Sisters of the Order of St. Dominic Motherhouse Complex, Grand Rapids
- Iron Mountain Veterans Administration Hospital, Iron Mountain
- Gibson Inc. Factory and Office, Kalamazoo
- Parkwyn Village, Kalamazoo
- Upjohn Co. Office Building, Kalamazoo
- Fishtown Historic District, Leland Township
- East Ludington Avenue Historic District, Ludington
- Michigan Central Railroad Middleville Depot, Middleville
- Nathan Esek and Sarah Emergene Sutton House, Northfield Township
- Elmer R. Webster School, Pontiac
- Saugatuck Gap Filler Annex, Saugatuck
- Vicksburg Historic District, Vicksburg
Last Steel Beam of Structural Steel Placed on Exchange Building
LIFTbuild, a wholly owned subsidiary of Barton Malow, has placed the final structural steel beam on the Exchange Building in downtown Detroit’s Greektown, effectively “touching down.”
The term “touching down” was coined by the LIFTbuild team as an alternative to “topping out” (the term for the builders’ rite traditionally held when the last beam is placed atop a structure).
The practice of topping out has deep roots in the construction industry. Typically, a tree or leafy branch is placed on the top beam of a new building. The Exchange Building, built via the transformational LIFTbuild technology, celebrated this tradition differently, positioning the tree upside down and making other appropriate adjustments for a building being constructed from the top down.
With the milestone, the team has set 980,000 tons of steel and is now moving toward completion this summer.
“I was so happy the team could celebrate this first-of-its-kind milestone with one another,” says Joe Benvenuto, COO of LIFTbuild. “It’s a testament to all the hard work to bring LIFTbuild to the world. It means a lot to everyone here as we’re determined to deliver increased safety and produce labor efficiencies for the industry.”
Traditionally, construction has been among the most static industries, using many of the same building methods first adopted in the 19th century. LIFTbuild says it will “catapult the construction industry forward by providing opportunities for a safer, quality-driven, and more efficient project site.”
LIFTbuild works by utilizing structural, concrete spines, and steel/concrete framed decks for floorplates. Each building floor is assembled at the ground level and lifted up the spines, which are subsequently locked into place. The fit-out is accomplished in a fully enclosed and conditioned space, while the lower floors are built below. The assembly process maximizes cost and schedule savings while providing a safe, efficient, and highly productive work environment.
The Exchange Building served as LIFTbuild’s proof-of-concept prototype project. Exchange is a 16-story residential tower with 153 residential rental units, 12 for-sale condominiums, and ground-level opportunities for innovative office and retail concepts totaling 166,000 square feet.
Apartment homes are located on floors two through 14, with condominium residences on floors 15 and 16. Exchange is the first residential development in Greektown in about 60 years. Tenant move-in at Exchange is slated for this summer and will be preceded by a formal ribbon cutting.
For more information on Exchange, visit exchangedetroit.com.
U-M Detroit Center to Host Caterer’s Open House March 3
The University of Michigan Detroit Center (3663 Woodward Ave, Suite 150) is hosting a Caterer’s Open House on March 3 with three time slots from which to choose: 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m.
The center is looking to expand its network of restaurants and caterers to provide food for many of the events hosted in its space. More than 1,000 events per year take place at the Detroit Center and guests are seeking a variety of food options from brown bag lunches to gourmet dinners.
During the sessions, center officials will provide an overview of the center, a tour, and information on how to become a vendor with the university.
To register for the 10 a.m. session, visit here; the noon session, here; the 2 p.m. session, here.
Hyundai-Kia Donates $80K in Battery Test Equipment to Lawrence Tech
Hyundai-Kia Technical Center Inc. in Ann Arbor has donated battery testing equipment worth an estimated $80,000 to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield.
Included is a system manufactured by Irvine, Calif.-based NH Research Inc. that tests high-voltage batteries, supplying both a power source and a simulated load from 12 to 252 kilowatts at 40, 120, or 600 volts DC. Also donated was power quality analysis equipment from Japan’s Yokogawa Electric Corp.; other electronic equipment, including antennas and cables; and software to run the system.
The equipment can be used to test batteries for a wide variety of applications, including electric vehicles, emergency backup power, and utility-grid-scale power storage, according to Nabih Jaber, associate professor and chair of the LTU Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
“The NHR battery test system is ideal for lab and production testing of battery modules and energy storage devices,” Jaber says. “It addresses the evolving battery requirements for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and critical power applications. We are deeply grateful to Hyundai-Kia for this donation, which will further enhance our electrical engineering program as America moves toward clean power, green transportation, and an upgraded electric grid.”
Motown Museum to Host Job Fair March 7
Motown Museum is hosting a job fair from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 7 at Hitsville NEXT at Motown Museum.
The museum has several positions to fill, including roles in administration, retail, guest services, programming, education, and archive and collection management.
“We are ready to recruit local talent in our community to join the Motown Museum team and be a part of the Motown magic,” says Sharri Watkins, director of human resources at Motown Museum. “Our amazing team is proud to work in a place that is iconic, inspiring and recognized around the world, and we would be thrilled to welcome interested applicants to continue their careers at the birthplace of Motown Sound.”
All applicants are encouraged to bring a resume and apply on the Motown Museum website prior to attending the job fair. Applicants may apply onsite for open positions using their digital devices. Interviews will be conducted onsite.
For more information, visit here.
Davenport University in Grand Rapids to Offer Two New Mental Health Degrees
Davenport University in Grand Rapids has launched a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program and a Master of Science in Nursing with a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner concentration to give more Michigan students the skills needed to help individuals and families facing mental health challenges.
“It’s part of our mission to offer degrees that meet specific needs within our community and lead our graduates to successful, in-demand careers,” says Richard J. Pappas, president of Davenport University. “I’m confident that these new offerings will equip our students with the critical skills needed to support the growing mental health needs of our community and our state’s workforce.”
Davenport’s Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program takes a unique approach to curriculum that builds cultural competency to be effective in the community at the highest professional level. Students gain real-world experience through a 100-hour practicum in a mental health setting and a 600-hour internship in the counseling field under the supervision of a qualified mental health provider.
The Master of Science in Nursing with a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner concentration program helps nurses advance their knowledge and build the skills necessary to level up their career and care for patients with mental, emotional, or behavioral conditions. The curriculum focuses on addressing psychopathology, substance use disorders and behavioral health. In addition, students learn effective counseling and crisis intervention strategies, how to conduct mental health assessments, and provide psychiatric care and rehabilitation.
“Through these programs, students develop the specialized knowledge and empathy needed to address mental health topics in today’s society, valuable skills that include focused listening, analytical thinking, and the ability to help others navigate through difficult circumstances,” says Amy Stahley, interim dean of the College of Health Professions at Davenport.
Both programs are accepting applications now for fall enrollment and are offered through 100 percent online delivery.
For more information, visit here.
Starr Commonwealth in Albion Celebrates 110th Anniversary
In celebration of its 110th anniversary of providing hope and healing to children struggling with the effects of trauma, Starr Commonwealth in Albion is launching a year of education, outreach, advocacy and storytelling to celebrate its legacy and broaden its impact.
The nonprofit got its start in 1913, when a young man named Floyd Starr purchased a barn and 40 acres to create a refuge for “homeless, dependent, neglected, and delinquent boys.” He based his work on the conviction “there is no such thing as a bad child,” working to treat the boys in his care with dignity and respect so he could change the trajectory of their lives.
Today, Starr Commonwealth has expanded its support to reach children, families, professionals, and communities around the globe by working to heal trauma and build resilience in new and innovative ways.
Drawing on the legacy of its founder, Starr has evolved from its humble beginnings by adding services that address the changing and increasingly complex issues facing children and those who care for them, as well as the ways they access support.
Throughout this anniversary year, Starr Commonwealth will:
- Launch a learning series called “Mental Health Matters” and a podcast called “Constant Curiosity: A Trauma-Informed Podcast” to share timely information and solutions from professionals to professionals around the world.
- Exhibit and present at state and national conferences where professionals from around the region, country and world gather to learn best practices from one another in trauma-informed care.
- Host an alumni homecoming for former students and staff who were part of its residential campus.
- Celebrate with employees, alumni, partners, donors, and the greater Michigan community during its seventh annual Night of Starrs on Oct. 5, which will include a reception, awards program, student performances and opportunities to support the mission of Starr Commonwealth.
For more information, visit starr.org.
Economic Outlook Presentation to Begin Washtenaw Economic Club’s 25th Season
The 25th season of the Washtenaw Economic Club will begin from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on March 14 at Washtenaw Community College with the 2023 economic outlook presented by University of Michigan faculty.
Donald Grimes and Gabriel Ehrlich will present their annual forecast the at WCC’s Morris Lawrence Building.
The outlook for the county is based on payroll employment growth, unemployment, and consumer inflation rates and looks ahead to employment changes in a wide array of industries.
Grimes and Ehrlich, directors of U-M’s Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics, are well-known national economists and authors who have worked with state and federal agencies to analyze policy and generate long-term economic forecasts and demographic projections.
“This annual forecast is highly regarded because of the caliber of speakers and is always well attended,” says Brandon Tucker, vice president and chief workforce and community development officer at WCC. “Our business and community members look forward to the perspectives and insights from all of our experts because the topics are relevant to their day-to-day operations.”
For more information, including event tickets, membership, and future programs, visit here.
