Hey friends, Jer here.
Detroiters had a lump in their throat for a bit this afternoon, as the smoke poured from the historic Maccabees Building on Wayne State's campus.
The good news — despite the clearly concerning initial visuals — is that it was a fire in the external HVAC system on the 11th floor. Everyone was evacuated and there were no known injuries.
Wayne State’s Police Chief, Anthony Holt, told local media that it was an electrical fire that began on an 11th-floor platform, likely involving an air handling or HVAC unit. Damage was limited. [CBS Detroit] [ClickOnDetroit]
Administrative offices for WSU since 2002, construction started on the building in 1926. It has a storied past, including being the place where the legendary radio shows The Lone Ranger and Green Hornet were first recorded. [Historic Detroit]
Big thanks to my co-host Norris Howard who happened to be nearby and got some pics of the fire early on; as well as our listeners who sent me text tips and let us get the story out on social media quickly. I'm just glad everyone is safe.
Mayor Sheffield’s first State of the City on Tuesday mixed big promises with hard realities.
On today’s Daily Detroit, Outlier Media civic life reporter Briana Rice joined me and Norris Howard to go beyond the headline numbers and talk about whether these plans actually meet the scale of what Detroiters are facing.
Briana walked through how these pieces fit together, what's new, and what might be ahead, while Norris brought context as a Detroiter and shared his hopes for the city. [Apple Podcasts]
Norris Howard
I'd say the best opinion piece I've seen about the speech was by Eric Thomas, that I strongly suggest you read [Facebook]. It says, in small part:
Where sometimes it felt like Mayor Duggan was looking down into Detroit through a Microscope to understand the people and their challenges here, it feels like Mary Sheffield is standing in the middle of Linwood, looking up through a telescope to see the universe of possibilities for what Detroit can become.
Building on what Eric said... I, for one, welcome the vision the Mayor has shared in the past of Detroit as a destination and world-class city. I know there's a ton of work to do, but it's worth it.
🌯 We now know what's next for the old Jolly Pumpkin space in Midtown that we talked about on Sunday. It will become Spiedo, a 'Mediterranean-ish' fast-casual concept from Takoi chef-owner Brad Greenhill and Michael Goldberg, which already has a location in Ann Arbor. [Detroit News]
They're known for rotisserie meats, flatbread sandwiches, rice bowls, and vegetable sides — look for it in the summer. Norris can't wait.
🍷 Congrats to Bar Chenin for being Michigan's lone James Beard award nominee. It's in the Best New Bar category. [Hour Detroit]
Busy day of recording for the podcast tomorrow, so I need to cut tonight a bit short. Write more soon.
Remember that you are somebody,
-Jer
