The Dirt: City’s nuisance lawsuit against Kefallinos yields results

Another week, another Dennis Kefallinos story. We recently learned that he sold the former Southwest Detroit Hospital and that Detroit City FC plans to build a new soccer stadium on the site. This week, Crain’s Detroit Business noticed construction — yes, actual construction — taking place at one of his properties. Amazing what legal action can do.

Deadbeat owner springs for sliding doors

A property owner known primarily for neglecting his buildings has actually begun work on one of them. Dennis Kefallinos started construction (paywalled) at the former cold storage building at 1448 Wabash St. after the city filed a nuisance lawsuit against him last year.

Contractors have apparently been removing masonry to create sliding doors with balconies. A spokesperson for Kefallinos told Crain’s Detroit Business they’re building “live-work” spaces for small businesses, with units from 1,000-1,400 square feet. An unnamed source likened the project to another Kefallinos-owned property, the Russell Industrial Center . The city said it’s halted the lawsuit while Kefallinos addresses the violations. (Crain’s, Outlier Media)

Dust on the run

City Council voted 7-1 last week to approve a fugitive dust ordinance that will require businesses to develop plans to control airborne particulate matter that is often harmful to respiratory health. The city will monitor dust levels and enforce compliance.

The primary tool to measure dust is opacity — or how much it obscures vision. Businesses cannot exceed 5% opacity on site and must ensure that vehicles transporting the material properly contain it. A representative for the city’s buildings department told residents at a recent informational meeting that the city will use a varied approach to monitor facilities involving on-site inspections, cameras, air monitors and dust tracks. (BridgeDetroit, Detroit Free Press, Detroit Documenters)

Building bridges

Get an inside look at the Pope Francis Center’s new housing complex for chronically unhoused people, set to open next month. The Bridge Housing Campus in Core City will have 40 studio apartments for single men to stay until they are ready for more stable housing.

Bridge’s facilities for wraparound services, which are based on best practices from similar facilities around the country, are just as crucial: a free medical clinic, gymnasium and commercial kitchen. There will be various on-site specialists to help people navigate challenges they might face, like social workers, addiction specialists, a psychiatrist and caseworkers to assist in finding permanent housing. (Freep)

The Dirt: City’s nuisance lawsuit against Kefallinos yields results · Outlier Media