Metro Detroit Syrians talk earthquake's devastation in Middle East

Metro Detroit Syrians are getting a first-hand account of the quakes from loved ones in the area.

"Nobody has experienced this yet, it was the first time this big and people are still (in) shock," said Ran Lotfi.

Lotfi and Amer Batal live in Metro Detroit but were born in Syria and still have loved ones who lived through the 7.8 earthquake Monday morning. Like her sister who lives miles from the epicenter, but is still feeling it's effects from her apartment.

"It's raining nonstop," she said. "Because the window is shattered, the water is coming in from (top to bottom). She is under shock, to be in this situation without electricity."

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Adrian Kizy
$4 million indoor adventure park to open in Sterling Heights

A 55,000-square-foot indoor adventure park is opening this week in Sterling Heights, which is expected to generate 120 jobs.

Urban Air Adventure Park plans a soft opening Friday and a grand opening on Saturday.

Franchisee Wes Ayar, who is also a franchisee for T-Mobile, and his business partner Andy Batal, who owns logistics and transportation company Warrior Freight in Madison Heights, are investing more than $4 million into the entertainment center at 12050 Hall Road. They also plan to open an additional four Urban Air locations in Michigan by the end of 2021.

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Adrian Kizy
Here's A Look Inside Metro Detroit's Urban Air Adventure Park

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - Looking to stay active this winter and work off some energy, all while having a great time?

In Metro Detroit, Urban Air Adventure Park has become a popular entertainment destination.

The new adventure park will test your skills and also brings "lots of excitement," said Urban Air Co-Owner Wes Ayar.

The Sterling Heights adventure park is the second location in Michigan and the only one in Metro Detroit.

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Adrian Kizy
Indoor adventure park opening for business in Sterling Heights

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — A new family attraction is opening in Sterling Heights. It’s called Urban Air Adventure Park located on Hall Road near Van Dyke.

Co-Owner Wes Ayar said, “Young or old, I promise you somebody will have fun.”

There is a lot to take in at Urban Air Adventure Park! They have trampolines, bumper cars, a ropes, an obstacle course and warrior course.

You can get a day pass or a monthly membership

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Adrian Kizy
Developers hit a ‘home run’ with planned apartments, Sterling Heights mayor says

A new multi-million dollar apartment complex filled with amenities such as a reflection pond and EV charging stations that is aimed at attracting younger renters in Sterling Heights received the green light this week.

The City Council approved the Planned Unit Development (PUD) project by a 5-2 vote at Tuesday night’s meeting.

“I think it’s a home run,” Mayor Michael Taylor said at the council session. “If we turn it down, shame on us.”

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Adrian Kizy
Sterling Heights approves apartment complex at 14 Mile and Mound

STERLING HEIGHTS — The intersection of 14 Mile and Mound roads is on course to eventually get a new apartment complex that will include 308-square-foot microunits.

ARH Land Holdings LLC presented its planned unit development proposal for an Icon Park apartment complex at an Oct. 4 Sterling Heights City Council meeting. The council approved the PUD plan 5-2, with Councilman Henry Yanez and Councilwoman Deanna Koski voting no.

Icon Park will be located on seven vacant parcels, around 5.6 acres altogether, around the 14 Mile-Mound intersection. Five apartment buildings, three stories each, will sit on that land and offer 140 residential units

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Adrian Kizy
Catching Air

Long before buying into an Urban Air Adventure Park franchise, Amer Batal and Wassem Ayar came with their families to the U.S. from the Middle East in search of opportunity.

Batal’s father, an English professor, moved the family from Syria after a stint at the University of Florida. Ayar’s story is similar; he comes from a well-educated family living in relative financial comfort. The impetus for his parents to leave Iraq was the start of the Gulf War in 1991.

“My parents thought it wasn’t the right environment for my brother and (me) to grow up in,” Ayar says. “So they packed up whatever they could in a suitcase and (my father) fled the country with myself, my brother, and my mother, who was one month pregnant at the time.”

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Adrian Kizy