Residential and retail space can help rebuild the aging, sometimes dangerous city, say commercial real estate experts. It's finding enough land free of encumbrances, in a relatively safe area, that's the trick, developers say.

However, developer Michael Curis appears to have carved out a niche on East Jefferson Avenue between Dickerson and Chalmers streets in Detroit.

His company, Curis Enterprises of Detroit and the Lombardo Cos. of Washington Township are into the second phase of a multi-million dollar mixed-use property.

Already, Curis built Riverbend Plaza, a 73,000-sf retail complex anchored by a Spartan Stores and a Rite Aid. Construction was completed in 1996 for about $8.5 million, Curis says.

Now, his company is building Heritage at Riverbend, a $25-million condominium project next door to the retail property.

The project will have 126 attached condominiums, including one-, two- and three-bedroom units. Most of the property will be three-bedroom condos, Curis tells GlobeSt.com.

They are priced to start at $149,900 each, he adds.

"Interest has been astronomical," Curis says. "We've sold 24 units in the past two weeks."

Forty units have been constructed so far because of the intense demand, Curis says, and the rest will be built in 20-unit increments over the next two to three years.

Another phase of commercial will be added, Curis says, but he would not elaborate on the type of property, the size or the cost.

"We'll be announcing that in about two weeks," Curis says.

Key to the project was building homes along the retail, he adds.

"There's obviously a demand for good, quality housing in Detroit, but there's also a real struggle with close shopping. Now, these residents can have top-notch shopping within walking distance," Curis says.

His company is also building eight acres of retail property on Mack Avenue in Detroit, he notes. The developments will see their value come through, he says."Would I be doing it if it wasn't worth it?" Curis asks.