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April 4, 2003
The Monroe Evening News
New face in
town - New condominiums on the site of the former
Steel Castings are ready for occupancy
By SCOTT NEINAS
Evening News staff writer
Beth Winner moved to Monroe
because of its proximity to Detroit Metropolitan Airport,
affordable housing and resemblance to her hometown
of Chicago.
While there's nothing like
the Sears Tower in Monroe, the Townes on Front Street,
with their brick facades and closeness to the sidewalk,
have the likeness of rowhouses typical in big cities.
Ms. Winner is one of the first
residents to move into what will be an 18-building
complex on the southwest corner of W. Front and S.
Roessler Sts.
"I like the brick. I'm
from Chicago so I like the rowhouse look of it,"
she said. Ms. Winner moved to Michigan in 1998 and
lived in Ypsilanti and Canton before moving here in
December. She works as a flight attendant for Northwest
Airlines and, for her, the Townes was a perfect fit.
She saved money all last year with the goal of buying
her first piece of property. After looking at several
options around the Detroit metropolitan area, she
chose Monroe, partly because the condos start at $119,000
and partly because of their urban look.
She realizes, however, that
Monroe is no metropolis.
"I like Monroe. It's a
very cute, quaint town," she said, adding that
she's already visited several downtown shops. "It's
springtime now so I know I'll get out more."
Crosswinds Communities is marketing
the 102-unit development along with 14 other projects
in southeast Michigan, including Mason Run at E. Elm
Ave. and N. Dixie Hwy. Both Monroe projects have been
built on brownfields, abandoned industrial property
that required environmental cleanup paid for by the
tax revenue the city captures. The Townes is built
on the former property of Monroe Steel Castings, which
closed several years ago.
Nancy Rosen, a company spokeswoman,
said 13 of the first batch of 24 condos have been
sold. Most of the buyers haven't moved in yet, however,
as city records show only two certificates of occupancy
have been issued.
"We think it will really
benefit the community," Ms. Rosen said. "The
use of the property gives the city added tax revenue,
eventually the homeowners will use area grocery stores,
gas stations, it's a boost to local retailers as well."
Ms. Rosen said sales are "on
track," and that all 18 buildings should be built
by the end of 2004. So far, the first building, facing
Front, is finished; a second building, facing Roessler,
is almost done, and the third under construction.
Ms. Rosen said the proximity
to downtown and the convenience of condo living -
units come with landscaping, carpeting and air conditioning
already in place - are helping to attract buyers.
"You're basically walking
into a finished house," she said.
The main living area is on
the second floor, with bedrooms, bathrooms, living
room and a kitchen, while a den and two-car garages
take up the lower level.
Unfortunately for Ms. Winner,
as much as she likes her new home, she doesn't know
how long she'll stay. Airlines are laying off employees
by the thousands and she doesn't know if she'll be
included in the next round.
"I haven't decorated,"
she said. "Once I know what my job will be like
I'll start moving on it. It's a very unstable time
right now."
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