The Detroit region is a proverbial frog boiling alive in a pot of water. There are several major topics being tackled up here at the Mackinac Policy Conference — talent, transit, the opioid crisis and education among them. But the through-line that we see between all of them is “Will Metro...
The ongoing saga of regional transit negotiations is like watching a friend tragically go after dating someone they really, really like – but the person that’s the target of their affection just isn’t interested. The reality is a four county transit solution isn’t politically workable here. We should...
Over the past few years we’ve noticed that there is a severe cultural disconnect in metro Detroit. Before you say “oh, another city vs. suburbs rant!” let’s be clear: It’s way more complicated than just city vs. suburb. Or black vs. white. This cultural divide doesn’t...
Eminem’s new track “Walk on Water” was featured on last night’s Saturday Night Live in a three-part medley performance with Skylar Grey. If you didn’t know, she’s collaborated with Em before as the writer of “Love The Way You Lie” back in 2010. After the new...
The city clerk race has become interesting this year. It’s usually a sleeper with candidates nobody really cares about. But between issues around the last general election and a dynamic figure appearing on the stage, it’s been something to watch and research. Gilchrist II may have been an...
Active, vibrant cities the world over have billboards and advertisements. But in Detroit, almost all the ones you’ve seen pop up over the last few years? Turns out they’re illegal, according to city code. And that’s especially ridiculous in Detroit’s core business district. If you didn’...
When it comes to practicality, the QLINE streetcar has been a disappointment. Our team is pretty bike- and walk- friendly, and will take the bus if the timing makes sense. We have contributors who live near the QLINE and the MoGo stations, and others who live near bus lines and...
It’s going to be a lot harder to get ahold of medical marijuana in Michigan soon. According to multiple reports, the state of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs is giving medical marijuana dispensaries and other businesses until December 15 to shut down. If they don’t, they...
All the Mayor’s horses and all of Dan Gilbert’s men are looking to put together a deal together with Amazon. After all, the prospect of 50,000 jobs — with well-paying salaries — and a $5 billion total investment has the entire nation talking about where the online retail Goliath...
He might or might not be running for U.S. Senate. But Kid Rock is for sure opening a restaurant at the new Little Caesars Arena, “Kid Rock’s Made In Detroit.” The Detroit Free Press reports that the 5,800 square foot restaurant is going to have a variety...
The fight over the soul of Detroit soccer — or football, depending on your perspective — is heating up. It’s moved to similarities in naming. It’s clear that Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores is just fine with filing for federal trademark protection of a name that’s super similar to...
Although here in Detroit there are the twin stories of should Wayne County trade with billionaires Dan Gilbert and Tom Gores for the incomplete jail site downtown, as well as the recent heckles among some passionate fans that were raised by Palace Sports & Entertainment purchasing web addresses like “DetCitySoccerClub....
At first, you hear the warm voice of Carmen Harlan. “Grand Circus Park, brought to you by Chevrolet” the recorded message assures the passengers. Next, you hear some weird, garbled digital voice finishing the sentence, telling you about the attractions at that stop. That contrast is exactly the QLINE today....
Finally. Across Metro Detroit, we usually do a terrible job of acknowledging our past and how those decisions impact our region today. But in an energetic speech in a venue where a message about race is uncomfortable for some, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan talked about the systematically racist policies that...
After decades of graphic tomfoolery, the Detroit Pistons returned to design sanity with the official revelation of their new (old?) logo today. The Pistons basketball team has had decades of logo nonsense. For instance, in 1947, they had this doozy which was like a angry Michelin Man made of oil...
Over the last year or so, there has been a common thread when it comes to comments when we post about Detroit and development. It’s summed up well by this comment on today’s news of the new $77 million development on the site of the former Wigle Recreation...
Sitting at the Detroit Policy Conference on Thursday, there was a changing energy. A shift from an old guard to a new. Sure, pizza and sports icon Chris Ilitch took the stage and did a large presentation and speech about the transition from father to son at that behemoth organization....
In today’s digital world it’s relatively easy to see what’s popular. Every website has software that tells us how many page views a story received, how long in aggregate people spent on a video, all of that. But anyone living here knows that what is popular is...
