DETROIT-The outgoing head of Michigan Economic Development Corp., one of the most successful development assistance programs in the country, leaves for a private-sector job overseeing the automaker's 350-million-sf real estate portfolio.

WARREN, MI-Gearheads at General Motors Corp. have a new place to tinker with a 18,000-sf new performance division workshop. More than half of the building includes a garage.

DETROIT-Champion Homes used four buildings on 87 acres as a modular home manufacturing plant but sells to Universal Forest Products of Grand Rapids. Two economic development corporations assist Binswanger Inc. brokers.

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI-Taubman Centers Inc. "will vigorously contest" a lawsuit filed by Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, Inc., which attempts to force the smaller REIT's board to consider its $925-million offer.

TROY, MI-Masco Corp. is spending more than $3.6 million to clean up chemicals on a site its owned for nearly 30 years and hopes for state approval to redevelop a former industrial plant along Livernois Road.

DETROIT-A four-year-old, $141-million voter-approved program designed for the rebuilding on once-contaminated properties is not doing its job, a think tank says, adding its objectives "are both unrealistic and unrealized.

SOUTHFIELD, MI-The slow economy doesn't stop Elena's from buying a at 2650 Paldan in Auburn Hills, MI. Nor does it stop Access Printing Solutions Inc. from signing a 6,000-sf lease in Wayne.

DETROIT-A $13-million, 40,000-sf building honoring Father Solanus Casey, founder of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen and under consideration for sainthood, will be dedicated Saturday. About 180,000 visitors a year are expected.