Hey friends, Jer here. Welcome back from the weekend.
There's decently good sports vibes in town! The Tigers won their home opener, and the University of Michigan men’s basketball team is vying for its first national title since 1989 as it battles UConn in tonight’s NCAA championship game in Indianapolis.
As I'm sending this email, the Wolverines are chasing history (that you can watch on TBS or at your local bar). I didn't go to Michigan, but I root for everyone from the mitten when they've got a chance at greatness.
Fun fact: In Ann Arbor, cutting the line to get in at a bar cost as much as $500. [Freep]
I remember when Detroit had a million residents. I know first-hand that we have plenty of room to grow.
So personally, I am excited about the idea of growth and neighbors. On the dog walk today, I counted at least ten lots on my block alone that sit empty; not to mention the vacant homes.
I have great neighbors and things happening here, but we could use more. We need enough people to make things like re-opening the corner store that my across-the-street neighbor loved back in the 60s.
We can talk about incentivizing companies all we want, but increasing the number of residents creates a more durable comeback. It makes so many more dreams possible.
The good news is that the first time in a long time, the city has had two years of net positive migration. That means more people are choosing to move into Detroit than leave it.
It's part of why I wanted to talk to Hilary Doe of the newly-announced MoveDetroit on the Daily Detroit podcast.
The coalition is backed by about 50 corporate, foundation, university, and community partners, and built around a simple idea: growth is a group project.
Some of the details include:
- Up to $500,000 total in benefits distributed to 313 current and future Detroit residents.
- Select participants can receive $15,000 to use for a business investment or work project, a down payment, home renovation, or other housing subsidy (including rent support).
- Other selected applicants are eligible for $1,000 in relocation or quality‑of‑life support, which can cover moving costs, security deposits, or things like gym memberships, kayaking lessons, or meal delivery from local restaurants.
In my mind, the power of a city is as a hub for the region and state. Part of the allure of being in a city is that we're the place people want to be (or need to be) to make things happen, whether it's for work, to play, or living.
And more neighbors means a stronger tax base for better services, more customers for Detroit’s small businesses and makers, and the foot traffic that makes a city feel more alive.
I sat down with Doe to dig into how MoveDetroit plans to turn this moment into long-term growth, why the goal is to put Detroit in the tier of the Midwest’s fastest-growing cities, and how you can plug in. [Apple Podcasts]
Jer Staes
đź‘€ Eye Spy
Listener Rob spotted Little Nest Coffee Roasters that's coming soon in Grosse Pointe Woods on Mack Avenue.
Their website describes it as as a "Coffee Shop + Play Cafe":
Our cozy atmosphere invites you to linger, whether you’re looking for a productive workspace, a peaceful retreat, or a welcoming spot to connect with friends and family. For caregivers, we’ve created a designated play area where caregivers, babies, and toddlers can socialize and play away from the hustle and bustle of the coffee shop.
As far as I know, an opening day isn't set — but they're getting closer. You can follow their Instagram for updates here.
⛸️ Novi is thinking about selling the city-owned Novi Ice Arena to longtime operator Suburban Ice. [WXYZ]
They say the 75,000-square-foot facility, opened in 1998, is getting more expensive to maintain and that proceeds could be reinvested in parks, public safety, and more.
đźšš In a sure sign of spring, the food trucks are back in Campus Martius in Downtown Detroit. [DDP]
If you're checking it out for yourself, the lineup is: Big Bo’s Grill, Curt Got Crabs, Fun Food Express, Gambino’s Catering, Grand Traverse Pie Company, Los Dos Amigo’s Taco Truck, and Twisted Street BBQ.
I've only tried the pies before, so I'll have to get out there and rank them.
🌲 The USDA says it’s shutting down all four Forest Service research and development sites in Michigan. The agency hasn’t said how many Michigan jobs are affected. [Bridge Michigan] [Detroit News]
Researchers and state officials warn the closures could weaken the region’s ability to monitor and respond to forest threats like invasive pests and disease across nearly 3 million acres of national forests. The work for our state will be headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin.
These cuts are against a backdrop of the proposed highest level of military spending in U.S. history (while cutting Medicare, Medicaid, Housing, and more). [NOTUS]
Game's on, so it's time to wrap this up. Thanks for reading, and thanks to our supporters on Patreon who make this possible. Join them here!
Plan to write again soon. Remember that you are somebody, and I'll see you around Detroit.
-Jer
