> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.dailydetroit.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Wings Zamboni driver gone; New QLINE website; Unanswered Housing Commission questions - URL: https://www.dailydetroit.com/wings-zamboni-driver-gone-new-qline/ - Published: 2022-03-31T01:09:17.000Z - Updated: 2024-03-20T22:24:37.000Z - Description: Plus marijuana updates; Anchor to re-re-open; and $100k for your Detroit business - Author: Jer Staes - Tags: Newsletter, #Migrated-1710973269304, #Import 2024-03-20 18:21 Hey, it’s Jer. I’m in your inbox on a Wednesday evening as there’s a lot to get you up to speed on with what to know, where to go, and a little transit time in Detroit. *As always, my analysis is in italics.* ## **What to know…** **» 🏒 The long-time Zamboni driver and operations manager for the Detroit Red Wings is out of a job.** Al Sobotka is locally famous for his barbecue and octopus handling. *There are more questions than answers right now about his sudden departure after more than half a century of service dating back to the old Olympia.* [\[Freep\]](https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2022/03/30/detroit-red-wings-al-sobotka-part-ways/7222564001/?ref=dailydetroit.com) [\[DetNews\]](https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2022/03/30/detroit-red-wings-longtime-operations-manager-al-sobotka-part-ways/7221370001/?ref=dailydetroit.com) **» 🏚 The Detroit Housing Commission isn’t answering questions.** The Villages at Parkside (built in the 1930s as Parkside Homes) are falling apart at East Warren and Conner. *It seems to be a case of lack of oversight and privatization gone wrong.* [\[Outlier\]](https://outliermedia.org/villages-at-parkside-detroit-housing-commission-plans/?ref=dailydetroit.com) **» 💰 $100,000 is available for a brick and mortar business in Detroit, Hamtramck or Highland Park.** I talked with the head of Hatch Detroit, Vittoria Katanski, as they’ve opened submissions for their latest contest. She shared thoughts on what’s changed locally since the program started more than a decade ago. [\[Daily Detroit Podcast\]](https://sites.libsyn.com/96606/how-to-get-100k-for-your-detroit-hamtramck-or-highland-park-business-ft-vittoria-katanski?ref=dailydetroit.com) [\[Hatch Detroit\]](https://hatchdetroit.com/?ref=dailydetroit.com) **» Highland Park wants to have their own high school again.** For the last decade or so, children been going to Detroit Public Schools Community District. [\[Click On Detroit\]](https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/03/29/highland-park-school-district-looks-to-build-new-high-school/?utm%5Fsource=facebook&utm%5Fmedium=social&utm%5Fcampaign=snd&utm%5Fcontent=wdiv&fbclid=IwAR0ZMFpUi5veYxgvOCAzojQjOv2NXqn3J10ttkUapiw%5F3asT0xGwqYtcSGQ) **» Former Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee has left the race for the 13th Congressional seat,** saying he does not want to split the black vote. *It’s a busy field in an open district that now covers the Grosse Pointes, much of Detroit, Wyandotte and western Wayne cities like Taylor and Romulus.* [\[Detroit Free Press\]](https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/03/29/ralph-godbee-detroit-congressional-seat/7210530001/?utm%5Fcampaign=snd-autopilot&ref=dailydetroit.com) **» A challenge to the new redistricting maps was thrown out of court.** The complaint was that the maps give too much advantage to Republicans. [\[Michigan Radio\]](https://www.michiganradio.org/news/2022-03-25/michigan-supreme-court-rejects-challenge-to-state-house-map?ref=dailydetroit.com) » **Hazel Park joins Detroit and Ann Arbor in decriminalizing entheogenic pants and “magic” mushrooms** as the concept gains momentum. [\[Bridge Michigan\]](https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/mushrooms-and-other-psychedelics-gain-foothold-michigan-what-know?ref=dailydetroit.com) **» $42 million was dispensed to local cities** including Ferndale and Hazel Park through cannabis-related revenue sharing. [\[State of Michigan\]](https://www.michigan.gov/treasury/0,4679,7-121-1755%5F1963-578993--,00.html?ref=dailydetroit.com) **» Frustration is mounting with black and brown business owners in Detroit** around the lack of a recreational marijuana licensing, as the medical business is “dying.” [\[Crain’s Detroit Business\]](https://www.crainsdetroit.com/cannabis/medical-marijuana-dying-market-black-detroit-business-owners-push-city-adopt-recreational?ref=dailydetroit.com) --- ## **Transit time…** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/47/f5/47f528d4-7214-4519-b2b2-26249e48460d/content/images/2024/03/https-3a-2f-2fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984-s3-amazonaws-com-2fpublic-2fimages-2f354793ad-ac7a-49c2-b22d-1725af3f23c7_3264x1959-jpeg.jpg) **» 🚊 The QLINE will be free to ride for the rest of the year and get some enhancements.** The free rides to encourage use are being paid for by the Penske Corporation and Kresge Foundation. - There is a new spiffy website with real-time updates as to when the streetcar will show up - Signal priority is coming at 26 intersections on Woodward *(big deal, more on that in a second)* - ICYMI, they installed Michigan’s first and only dedicated transit lane in front of Little Caesars Arena that serves both the QLINE and DDOT buses [\[QLINE\]](https://qlinedetroit.com/?ref=dailydetroit.com) **My two cents:* I’ve been screaming for signal priority since the QLINE launched. For the non-transit nerds, that means when a streetcar comes near a traffic light it’ll change in sync so the giant streetcar doesn’t have to stop and start every couple of blocks. This should decrease wait times and increase reliability.* *Also, I’m totally good with a transit-only or transit/rideshare lane in more places where it makes sense.* **» The Detroit People Mover is getting ready to re-launch,** but to keep rolling soon it’ll need $100 million in investment and new cars. It still uses the originals from 35 years ago. [\[Bridge Detroit\]](https://www.bridgedetroit.com/people-movers-needs-100m-in-upgrades-and-more-detroit-riders/?ref=dailydetroit.com) **» Macomb County commissioners are working to allow for individual cities to opt-out of SMART, the suburban bus system.** The board of trustees of one of the tri-county area’s fastest growing communities, Macomb Township, seems to want out. [\[Macomb Daily\]](https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/03/30/macomb-twp-board-discusses-park-pathway/?ref=dailydetroit.com) **Tough love:* I personally am a transit supporter, but I can see the writing on the wall. If the Macomb County commission allows opt-outs (there’s other steps, too), I expect a mass exodus on mass transit from about I-696 out.* --- ## **Where to go…** **» On my radar is a new place by the Optimist Society, “Time Will Tell.”** Between that, Kiesling, Oak and Reel, Supino, Freya, Yum Village and others… the New Center/Milwaukee Junction area is assembling a real bar and dining district. This place is at 6408 Woodward. I haven’t been yet but it’s on my very short list. *The back of the bar has some huge local history (I thought I recognized it in pictures!) as it once was at Seven Brothers in Hamtramck.* [\[Instagram\]](https://www.instagram.com/timewilltelldetroit/?hl=en&ref=dailydetroit.com) **» The Anchor Bar is re-re-opening.** Although, ahem, “upscaled” from its original days as a downtown Detroit establishment where newspaper people chomped cigars and drank Three Feathers blended whiskey, there’s still bits of legend in there. It has a “reimagined” bar menu and will be ready ahead of opening day. It’s been open and closed and open and closed with everything happening *\*waves arms like Kermit the Frog at the world.\** [\[Detroit News\]](https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/dining/2022/03/30/storied-anchor-bar-reopen-ahead-tigers-home-opener/7216289001/?ref=dailydetroit.com) **» Trap Vegan is open on the Avenue of Fashion.** It’s a fast casual spot and notable as recently there have been a number of vegan closures, including Street Beet. [\[Metro Times\]](https://www.metrotimes.com/food-drink/trap-vegan-carves-out-a-plant-based-oasis-in-nw-detroit-29667873?ref=dailydetroit.com) **» Hot Box Social is opening this summer in Hazel Park.** It’s Michigan’s first cannabis consumption lounge. [\[Eater Detroit\]](https://detroit.eater.com/2022/3/24/22994479/michigan-cannabis-lounge?ref=dailydetroit.com) --- And we are done for today! If you found this valuable, why not share it? Or if you feel like supporting locally made work like this, consider buying us a coffee. It’s your support that allows us to have an all-local focus. [Buy us a coffee](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit?ref=dailydetroit.com) And finally, if you haven’t subscribed to get this in your inbox (it’s free!) think about it. [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup) Until we talk again — remember that you are somebody and I’ll see you around Detroit. *\-Jer*