Business & Economy

Detroit’s Gem Theater move documented in aerial images

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By ERIC STIEM
Capital News Service
Normally construction for a major project like Detroit’s Comerica Park requires the demolition of everything in its way. One building, however, was fortunate to survive. Gem Theater, lying in the shadows of Comerica Park and Ford Field, now resides five blocks from where it was built. In 1997, the 2700-ton building was moved on wheels. Aerial imagery before and after the move shows a city in transition. Not only did the Gem move, but the density of buildings have changed as seen in images from Michigan State University’s aerial photo archive.

Business & Economy

Photos by drone fill business, artistic needs

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By ERIK STIEM
Capital News Service
LANSING — The jury is still out on regulations for unmanned aircraft, but that’s not stopping a Michigan business from using them commercially. Hovershots Aerial Photography and Video APV uses remote controlled helicopters – popularly known as drones – to capture video footage that is otherwise inaccessible or extremely expensive. The company’s recent picture of a record-breaking flotilla of kayaks on Suttons Bay in northern Lake Michigan made it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Hovershots owner Kevin Haley, 50, from Linden near Flint, has more than 25 years experience with remote controlled systems. But in the past he has only had access to shoddy cameras to attach to them. So when Haley, a health and nutrition storeowner, began researching drones and state-of-the-art cameras, he saw an incredible business opportunity, Haley said.

Environment

Volunteers keep tabs on rain, snow

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By ERIK STIEM
Capital News Service
LANSING – It has a long name, but the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) makes quick and easy work of measuring precipitation. Rainfall and snowfall have long been difficult to monitor. But that’s less of a problem now, thanks to a simple rain gauge and citizen participation, said Jeff Andresen, the state climatologist and coordinator of the Michigan chapter of the national group known as CoCoRaHS. Anyone can join. The only requirements are a rain gauge and an enthusiasm for the environment, said Andresen, who is also an associate professor of geography at Michigan State University.