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The News-Herald By Rene Cizio

ALLEN PARK ]]> ALLEN PARK: City to sell millions in bonds for movie studio complex
Published: Saturday, August 8, 2009

The News-Herald
By Rene Cizio

ALLEN PARK — City officials have authorized the sale of $31 million in general obligation bonds for land purchase and economic development.

A resolution, adopted after an executive session Wednesday night, said the bonds are for paying the city’s share of certain public improvements.

The purchase, from businessman Samir Danou, involves land and buildings — including the building at 16630 Southfield Road and an empty building off Enterprise Drive — for $24.8 million.

It’s the site of a much-anticipated movie studio complex.

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We wanted to provide another update on the status of Unity Studios & Village, ]]> Good day to you from Unity Studios.

We wanted to provide another update on the status of Unity Studios & Village, and the Lifton Institute for Media Skills (LIMS). A recent story on a Detroit TV news station left the entirely incorrect impression that the project was in jeopardy. As we have indicated in other recent updates, the project is moving forward. Here are some questions we have recently been asked by the media, bloggers, our friends on Facebook and our followers on Twitter. Answers to the questions are also provided. Bottom line: the Unity Studios & Village project and LIMS continue to move toward an official groundbreaking and opening.

Q:You said in April construction would begin in June. Then in early June, you said construction would start by the end of the month or in early July. Construction still has not started. Why?
A: Actually, the construction process has already begun. Architects, designers, engineers and construction planners are working daily on the project. None of this is visible yet, but mandatory before earth is moved and structures are built. We haven’t picked a date for the “groundbreaking” event, which is primarily ceremonial, due to coordinating schedules and finalizing all legal paperwork. But please know we are moving at the pace that circumstances require, and we are working toward our groundbreaking event as soon as final details are in place.

Q:The County Executive said in a recent Detroit TV news story he is concerned about your ability to fund the project. What, exactly, is the status of the project? Is it really going to happen?
A: As noted above: The status of the project has not changed. We are moving forward and meeting all of our planned timelines.

Q: In April, you said the LIMS would open this fall for classes and training, and the studios would open soon thereafter, but sometime this year. What are the real dates you expect for the opening of the Institute and the studios?
A: The time frame for the LIMS has not changed. Our anticipated start is still October 2009.

We will continue to post updates when appropriate and necessary. We are grateful for your interest and your patience.

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THE ART OF CREATING ENTERTAINMENT

The Lifton Institute for Media Skills started with a simple idea: create meaningful jobs in the ]]>

THE ART OF CREATING ENTERTAINMENT

The Lifton Institute for Media Skills started with a simple idea: create meaningful jobs in the film and television trades. We accomplish this by providing skilled and unskilled out-of-work labor and students the guidance of experienced instructors. We then provide extensive hands-on experience using the same tools, stages and timeframes as the profession they are studying. It is an educational philosophy that reaches across all of our programs.

More information about the Lifton Institue, career tracks and courses visit http://www.liftoninstitute.com.

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