Michigan Development News is a weekly series that features affordable housing and economic development-related news stories from across the state. Feel free to submit a story suggestion by leaving a note in the comments section.

LSJ, John Schneider: It’s not Chicago yet, but...

Admittedly I’m no expert on nightlife these days, but, finding myself at Kelly’s, on Washington Square, one recent Thursday night, I was amazed at all the action downtown.

The last time I was downtown after dark, the only things I saw moving were two tumbleweeds and a buzzard. Is it possible that, after all the promises, all the plans, all the hopes, downtown Lansing is actually poised to start jumping again?

Is it possible? You bet. For folks living in the Lansing area, there is life downtown after 5 p.m.

LSJ: Downtown Neighborhood Association to hear developer's plan Monday

The Downtown Neighborhood Association is slated Monday night to hear from developer Gene Townsend about his plans for a nearly 5-acre site at Ottawa Street and Butler Boulevard.

Townsend expects to buy the state-owned parcel by Jan. 13. He's working on a plan to build about 65 housing units at the site. Most of those would be owner-occupied.

The property is within both the Genesee and Downtown associations' boundaries.

The developer has said it would take until at least 2011 to finish the project, depending on sales.

Looks like more housing will be coming to the downtown Lansing area. If this project gets approved, it looks like there could be even more going on downtown over the next several years, which would certainly be good news.

Model D: Java Exchange celebrates one year of bringing coffee and financial literacy to TechTown

Ramone Crowe is not your typical coffee shop owner. He is interested in not just the success of his business, but also in seeing others prosper. Which is why the name of his cafe, Java Exchange, is so apt: It acts as a place for people to meet, network and exchange ideas.

Java Exchange just celebrated its first anniversary in its TechTown location. Crowe counts Henry Ford Health System employees and NextEnergy and TechTown staff and visitors among his regular clientele. "The building as a community has really been growing," he says. "I've watched companies start from one or two employees and grow to five or six or seven -- and some even up to 15 or 20!"

The Java Exchange hosts entrepreneurship forums with brokerage firm Edward Jones as well as group viewings of "The Big Idea" with Donny Deutsch. After watching the struggles of now-successful entrepreneurs, the group discusses issues and solutions for their own businesses.

If the foreclosure crisis can teach us one thing (besides the fact that this country needs more affordable housing), it's that most consumers could stand to learn more about financial literacy. That's why it's nice to see a local business like Java Exchange taking the lead in this area.

Newsweek: Makeover For a Motor City Gem (link via Model D)

What is helping the museum to tap into that diverse community is the quiet renaissance of Detroit's downtown. "There's a burgeoning revival," says Reed Kroloff, director of the Cranbrook Academy in nearby Bloomfield Hills. "There's a developing design district, a huge number of condo conversions, people moving into lofts." The symphony hall has been renovated, restaurants and clubs are beginning to thrive, and the sports stadiums are bringing in big crowds. Two years ago attendance at the museum surged as thousands of visitors descended on downtown Detroit in the days before the Super Bowl.

This wonderful feature is definitely worth checking out. It's great to see the DIA getting such great coverage in one of the big weeklies like Newsweek. Having just toured the newly-remodled DIA this weekend, we can confirm that the museum is better than ever (and cheap – only $8 for adults). If you haven't paid a visit to the DIA in a while, it's worth the trip.