When the Hazel Park Raceway closed in April this year, it was a bitter-sweet moment for the city. It marked the end of an era for the Detroit neighborhood but paved the way for new growth.

The end of the year is always a time for reflection. We here at Prosper love to share stories of positive developments happening throughout Oakland County, as well as stories of the people making a difference in our community. As we say goodbye to 2015, we look back on our top-read stories of the year – the stories about people working in different ways to make Oakland County such a wonderful place to call home.

Hazel Park is "under construction," says Chef James Rigato. And, thanks in no small part to his forthcoming second restaurant Mabel Gray, it stands to be the next cool metro Detroit neighborhood to open an independent business.