On today's Daily Detroit, a fast-moving, food-and-development-heavy episode rooted in what's changing on the ground in metro Detroit.

Jer is joined by Devon O'Reilly and Norris Howard for a full-table conversation that spans ballparks, the best places to eat, and big bets on Dearborn's future.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

The crew starts with Opening Day, as Norris recounts one of the most beautiful Tigers home openers he's ever seen — complete with a cautionary tale about trying to outdo his dad.

Devon then takes us to Midtown for a deep dive on Mad Nice as a rare, reliable "power lunch" spot, breaking down its cocktail program, menu, and why its scale, aesthetics, and backing have given it real staying power past the three-year mark.

From there, the conversation shifts to huge news for the region: Detroit and the Great Lakes are now eligible for Michelin stars. Jer, Devon, and Norris build their own shortlist of contenders — from Freya and Seldon Standard to London Chop House, Ladder 4, Grey Ghost, Saffron De Twah, and more — while debating consistency, creativity, and what a first star should reward.

The focus turns west to Dearborn, where the former Hyatt/Edward Hotel site moves toward a major hotel-and-residential redevelopment, and Ford plans a massive "World Headquarters South" campus that will bring thousands of employees, Ford Performance, and new amenities to the city.

Plus, we get into the Detroit Grand Prix that's starting to get set up, and coming renovations at the Motor City Casino Hotel.

Rundown:

03:06 - Where we've been: Mad Nice

07:36 - Which Detroit restaurant should get a Michelin Star first?

16:04 - Dearborn Hotel Rebuild?

17:23 - Ford World HQ South Plans

19:47 - Detroit Grand Prix is starting their setup work

22:20 - Major Motor City Casino Renovation

On today’s Daily Detroit, I’m joined by the Prince of Brightmoor himself, Norris Howard, for a conversation about what kind of city and community we actually want to build.

We start with the University of Michigan men’s basketball national championship, how a starting five of transfers signals a new era in college hoops, and why I’m choosing some hope for the Detroit Pistons.

From there, we dive into the recent “teen takeover” downtown and what really happened versus the panic you might have seen on social media.

Norris talks about growing up in the city, why big groups of kids have always gathered somewhere when the weather turns nice, and how race, class, and whose property we value shape which crowds we call a “problem.”

We also kick around what it would mean to actually welcome young people downtown with spaces and programming designed for them.

Then we pivot to a new Rocket Mortgage survey on the “neighborhood paradox” — most of us say community matters, but only a fraction really know our neighbors.

Norris makes the case that HOAs are “the death of the neighborhood,” and we swap stories about block‑level care, watching each other’s kids, and why I chose to live in a part of Detroit where people still show up for one another.

We close with Detroit’s surge in office‑to‑residential conversions, from the RenCen and Penobscot to the Guardian, Fisher, and beyond, and imagine a dream list of buildings that should be filled with new Detroiters instead of empty floors.

Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com.

Make sure you're following us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to shows!

Today I'm at the table at TechTown with Life Remodeled president and CEO Diallo Smith, along with Norris Howard.

We get into how this Detroit‑based nonprofit is transforming vacant school buildings into "opportunity hubs" that connect entire families to education, jobs, and essential services in their own neighborhoods.

Diallo walks us through the rebirth of Durfee Intermediate as the Durfee Innovation Society on the West Side, now home to more than 30 nonprofits and social impact partners, and shares how neighbors themselves shaped which programs moved in.

We also talk about Life Remodeled's next big project on the East Side at the former Dominican / Winan Academy campus, including a 700‑seat theater and a planned 26,000‑square‑foot tech education addition with room for everything from esports to advanced training.

Along the way, we get into why the future of the Detroit region is fundamentally tied to the future of Detroit's neighborhoods, what thousands of volunteers accomplish in the Six Day Project each year, and why investing in arts, culture, and opportunity on our blocks is really about rebuilding the heart of this region.

More: https://liferemodeled.org/

You'll find a lightly edited transcript of the conversation below:

Jer Staes: Today on Daily Detroit, we’re at TechTown with Life Remodeled president and CEO Diallo Smith. Also at the table: our indefatigable co‑host, Norris Howard.

Norris Howard: The East Side finally outnumbers me. Usually the West Side representation is strong, but today the East Side is in the building. I’m excited to talk about Life Remodeled because I think it’s one of Detroit’s hidden gems.

Jer Staes: Diallo, for folks who don’t know, what is Life Remodeled and what are you trying to do as the new CEO?

Diallo Smith: Life Remodeled is a Detroit‑based nonprofit committed to neighborhood revitalization. We have some beautiful neighborhoods in this city, but after decades of disinvestment, a lot of that beauty is still hidden. One of the ways we reveal it is by repurposing vacant school buildings into what we call “opportunity hubs,” all within our E3M model: educational, economic, and environmental mobility.

In the Durfee neighborhood, Durfee Intermediate — which turns 100 next year — has been transformed into the Durfee Innovation Society. Working with supporters, volunteers, and donors, we took this historic school and turned it into a hub that now hosts 34 nonprofits and social‑impact partners bringing direct investment, services, and resources into the neighborhood.

An opportunity hub is a place where an entire family can get what they need to thrive. Our belief is that Detroiters already have the talent; what’s missing is access. These hubs either break down barriers that block opportunity or build bridges to help people get where they want to go.

Imagine walking into a space where Big Brothers Big Sisters, Detroit at Work (the region’s largest workforce development center), and New Foster Care are all under one roof. It’s a constellation of organizations where you can find almost everything you need to improve your life.

Norris Howard: Just looking at Durfee alone, you’ve got youth programs, healthcare resources, day care, and more. When I was growing up, that kind of programming was in community centers or schools, but those supports have been defunded or broken apart. It’s heartening to see Life Remodeled fill that gap while preserving these beautiful buildings.

Diallo Smith: Our neighbors have earned and deserve this. They have incredible ambition and will. We take a community‑driven design approach: long‑time residents, students, teachers, small business owners, and faith leaders know more about what their neighborhood needs than we ever will. We asked them: “What barriers to access, if removed, would truly grow your neighborhood?” Their answers guided which partners we recruited.

We’re now doing similar work on the East Side, off I‑94 and Whittier, at the former Dominican High School/WINE Academy campus. The community there has a strong desire for technology, arts, and culture. The site includes a 700‑seat theater we’re modernizing into a performance space that could host everything from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to touring artists.

We’re also building a 26,000‑square‑foot addition dedicated to technology education for young people, including space for esports.

I’ve said at the Detroit Policy Conference that the future of the Detroit region is fundamentally connected to the future of Detroit neighborhoods. When we reorient Detroit neighborhoods toward a strong future, it benefits the entire region: more people in good jobs, investing in their households and children, and students who see a future in front of them.

Every year we organize the Six Day Project — the state’s largest condensed volunteer effort — bringing 5,000 to 6,000 volunteers into one Detroit neighborhood. Over six days, they remove blight and litter, board up vacant houses, and work in schools. At the end of that week, the landscape looks completely different.

Our long‑term goal is to cultivate what we call “thriving‑class neighborhoods.” It’s not about income brackets; it’s about people whose tenacity and will to see their neighborhoods thrive leads them to roll up their sleeves and do the work. We want to elevate entire households and blocks so families are safe, earning sustainable incomes, growing educationally, and investing in their streets.

You know you’re succeeding when residents say, “We want you to move into our neighborhood, because this is a place where you can thrive.” Over the next five to ten years, our aim is to help create those thriving‑class neighborhoods on both the West and East Sides.

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]

How Detroit Plans to Add (and Keep) More People

Detroit is finally seeing population growth and net positive migration — and a new coalition called MoveDetroit wants to keep that momentum going. Our guest is Hilary Doe, president and CEO of MoveDetroit, to unpack a new incentive fund paid for by a number of partners, the Make Detroit Home program,

Daily DetroitJer Staes

👀 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.

🚚 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

Detroit is finally seeing population growth and net positive migration — and a new coalition called MoveDetroit wants to keep that momentum going. 

Our guest is Hilary Doe, president and CEO of MoveDetroit, to unpack a new incentive fund paid for by a number of partners, the Make Detroit Home program, and a neighborhood ambassador effort designed to keep and attract residents, entrepreneurs, and creatives.

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.

We dig into why population growth matters for tax base and small businesses, how this work is funded, and why Hilary believes Detroit can become one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest if the strategy stays driven by Detroiters themselves.

There's a lightly edited transcript of the episode for clarity below.

Jer: Joining me at the table is a newsmaker of the week and a repeat Daily Detroit guest. We’re here to talk about growing and retaining Detroit’s population. Hilary Doe, welcome back to Daily Detroit.

Hilary: Thanks so much for having me. I’m excited to be here.

Jer: You have a new title since we last talked. You are now the president and CEO of MoveDetroit. I’m assuming this is not an athletic gym.

Hilary: It’s not. [laughter] It’s the MoveDetroit Coalition. We just had our press conference today celebrating the launch, but the mayor soft-launched us at the State of the City earlier this week.

The coalition now includes 50 organizations across corporate partners, foundations, community organizations, and universities, partnering with Mayor Mary Sheffield to do what it takes to retain talent already in the city and to invite former Detroiters and new folks back to Detroit.

Jer: What was the impetus behind this for you, the mayor, and the partners—why decide this is the time to lean into it? The previous mayoral administration, for a lot of people, was about dealing with emergencies—coming out of bankruptcy and those kinds of things.

Mayor Mary Sheffield has more of a look-up vision for the city, as a destination and world-class city. How does MoveDetroit fit with that vision of keeping and retaining people as well as attracting folks? I’ve heard initiatives like this over the years. What sets MoveDetroit apart?

Hilary: First and foremost, the coalition matters. Growth is a group project; you can’t do it by yourself. In my prior role as chief growth officer for the state, I always joked that the title was a misnomer, because the implication was you could do it alone—you can’t.

In past efforts in Michigan, we’ve often seen just a marketing campaign or a single talent program. What we’re talking about here is a big, holistic effort with the right people at the table, including Detroiters. This should be driven by Detroiters—their feedback in our strategy, programming, and messaging, with them at the table to shape the content we share. Otherwise, it won’t work.

We have the right people at the table this time to get it done. And to your point about a more positive vision, we do have momentum. We’re coming off two years of growth. We have net positive migration—more people moving in than moving out.

This is the time to keep our foot on the accelerator. It’s not guaranteed that we keep moving in that direction or pick up pace. We have to listen and continue making the investments we need to succeed.

Jer: When you talk about those investments, how does the rubber meet the road with some of these programs?

Hilary: The first program we launched earlier this week is our flagship talent retention and attraction effort. We’re starting by offering 500,000 dollars in financial incentives to people already here or coming back to Detroit.

You can access up to 15,000 dollars for a down payment or to invest in your business, and if you’re relocating, up to 1,000 dollars in relocation benefits. Beyond that, there are other program elements, like access to unique Detroit experiences and opportunities to plug into community life. These are designed to help you put down roots and connect to the community, making it easier to choose to stay.

Programs like this are data-backed. We’ve studied similar efforts across the country; some don’t work and others are very effective. We’ve focused this one on what does work—especially housing incentives, because we know they are highly motivating and have a big impact.

Jer: How did MoveDetroit come together?

Hilary: It was a combination of things. Across sectors in the city, there were a lot of people who wanted to lean into a population growth effort, in part because Michigan has been a first mover on population work statewide.

As you saw at the mayor’s State of the City, she’s been leaning into the “stay, return, move” concept to ensure people across the country see Detroit as a great place to live, work, and play. She’s backing that up with the policies we need to make it true. You heard her talk about housing and transit.

Those, along with things like median income growth, are the kinds of factors we know are required to kickstart population growth. So when you combine a mayor who cares about this and wants to see it grow with a coalition that agrees this is the right metric to focus on, that’s a powerful combination to drive Detroit’s growth.

Jer: With this program, there’s the “stay” portion—keeping people here—and the attraction portion. I want to talk about attraction, but on the “stay” side: from covering the State of the City, I know that was very important to Mayor Sheffield. What are the nuts and bolts of that? What does it look like?

Hilary: For MoveDetroit’s side of the “stay” work—because the mayor’s team is also advancing policies that improve quality of life and make Detroit a better place to live—we’re starting by focusing on Detroiters who have an outsized impact on the city’s growth.

The Make Detroit Home program, for example, targets entrepreneurs, small business owners, and working creatives as the first group we want to reach with these resources. They are job creators and placemakers, and making sure they can stay here and build their businesses and futures in Detroit is critical to long-term growth. We want them to stay, and by staying, they help others stay. Their presence improves their communities. They’re critically important, and that’s a key element of the “stay” effort.

Jer: That’s important to me because I can think about how many people—even on this Daily Detroit team over the years—now live in Chicago. We have more alumni there than anywhere else. I don’t want to keep seeing that. Over the last quarter century, I’ve watched people reach a certain talent level and feel like they’ve topped out—financially or in their careers.

Anything that opens doors for them so they can stay rooted in Detroit, I see as very positive.

Hilary: Beyond direct program benefits like Make Detroit Home, we also announced a neighborhood ambassador program today, which I think is critical to what you’re talking about.

The idea is to ensure Detroiters are the ones giving us feedback about what stands between them and building their future here, and what they love about their lives in Detroit. Those insights will shape our strategy, determine where we invest, and guide our programs. When we understand the challenges they face and the opportunities they see, we can point our resources where they’ll do the most good to keep people here.

We’ve announced a couple of programs, but there will be more once we get feedback from the neighborhood ambassadors.

Jer: I know surveys are a passion of yours, and we’ll get into that in a bit. Let’s touch on the attraction piece. It’s frustrating for some people: how do we make it work in Detroit, and how do we get more people to be here?

In my opinion, it’s going to be hard to make the math work for Detroit unless we start putting people back on these streets. I remember when the city had a million people in my lifetime. That 300,000-person drop—let alone the historic high near 2 million—has big impacts on infrastructure, school funding, everything tied to population.

Hilary: Absolutely. Sometimes we don’t recognize that more neighbors also means a stronger tax base to invest in quality of life. It also means more customers for our small businesses. A larger-than-average share of Detroiters are entrepreneurs; we have so many makers in this city.

We want plenty of people walking around, passing by storefronts, and becoming customers. That kind of foot traffic makes for a vibrant community. For a long time, Michigan—not just Detroit—has struggled less with retention and more with what we call the “replacement effect”: getting people who wake up in Nashville or elsewhere to say, “I’m going to try Detroit.”

We’re starting by focusing on Detroiters and people with connections to the city—ancestral ties, former residents, people who went to school here—who may now live in places like Atlanta or Houston. Your listeners know those folks.

Jer: And some of our listeners are in those cities.

Hilary: Exactly. Many of them are still big fans of Detroit or remember an earlier version of the city that’s different from what we’ve built together today. We want to encourage them to come back home and help continue building this place.

If we can design a program that makes that transition easier—helping them connect to the community and take advantage of benefits—then great. We’re happy to invite them home.

Jer: What’s the scope of these programs? How many people might be impacted in this early round?

Hilary: The first tranche of Make Detroit Home is intended to engage 313 Detroiters—you can probably guess why. I think your podcast may have had a 313 trivia day.

Jer: Yeah.

Hilary: But it’s not because we think that’s the total number of people we want to serve.

Jer: I think the real question is how many people even remember which numbers in their contacts still have a 313 area code.

Hilary: I’m jealous. I really want one. I’ve joked about going on Craigslist if anyone has a 313 number to spare.

Jer: I actually have my uncle’s number that’s been around since the 60s.

Hilary: From the east side of Detroit?

Jer: From the east side of Detroit.

Hilary: That’s amazing. All that to say, we don’t think 300 or so people is enough; it’s just the first tranche.

We want to start there and make sure we’re using data-backed strategies to assess whether the package of benefits and offerings is right. We’ll gather feedback from participants and then grow from there.

The long-term intention is to get Detroit into the tier of fastest-growing cities—first among Midwestern places with strong retention and return migration, and eventually among the fastest-growing cities in the country.

Jer: What would you say to someone listening who thinks, “I don’t know if I want change”?

Hilary: I’m very sympathetic. I’ve been doing this work across the state for the last few years, and in places like the U.P. or northern Michigan, I completely understand. Those are beautiful places, and it’s reasonable for people to say they don’t want to disrupt that.

The same is true here. Detroit has an incredible, unique culture. What I’d say is that we’re doing this in a way that’s driven by Detroiters, first and foremost, and in partnership with a mayor and administration that are thinking holistically.

If you build a growth strategy while also committing to housing and ensuring affordable, accessible options, you can grow without disrupting what people love. You can plan so that the Detroit we have on the other side of growth is still the Detroit we love today, instead of something unplanned and disconnected from residents.

Jer: How is all of this going to be funded?

Hilary: Our partnership with the city is programmatic, but we’re not publicly funded. The member organizations—those 50 groups that have joined—are investing in these programs and helping us make them real.

We have a number of corporate supporters, several foundations, and many community organizations involved, and we want more. It’s an open invitation for partners who want to join us.

We also have several universities involved. At today’s press conference, Dan Gilbert announced that in this first year he will match all the dollars we raise, which should help us get a strong head start.

Jer: When we last talked up at Mackinac, you were the chief growth officer for the state of Michigan. Why change gears? How did you go from that role to this one, and why focus on the city for people who might not know the story? There was a lot of talk about the statewide population push, and now you’re focused on Detroit. I’m glad to see it, but what was your thinking?

Hilary: That statewide work has been an incredible foundation. I’m proud of what we accomplished and what we learned, and it’s continuing. Communities across Michigan are still doing that work, incorporating that thinking, and rolling out growth office programs. I’m very proud of that.

As the governor moves into her last year before voters choose a new governor, I decided last fall to pick up a lot of that work and place it in a piece of long-term infrastructure, so we could keep going with what was working.

We’re seeing positive net migration for the first time in a long time. My favorite statistic is that our young adult population is now growing at the fifth-fastest rate in the country. Those are trends you want to sustain. I didn’t want us to take our foot off the accelerator.

So in the fall we moved that work into MIGO, the Michigan Institute for Growth and Opportunity, to carry the statewide work forward, and I’m still involved there. But the opportunity to do this work in the city I live in and love—where I firmly believe “as goes Detroit, so goes the state”—is incredible. It lets us lean in with sharp elbows.

The challenges and opportunities in Grand Rapids are very different from Traverse City, Saginaw, or Detroit. Focusing on one place lets you be specific and responsive to that community and tailor programs. I’m thrilled. I think we can have even greater impact and more impressive results if the work is driven by Detroiters. This is a tremendous opportunity.

Jer: What’s the biggest thing you learned in that statewide work—maybe something that surprised you, or a way you grew from it?

Hilary: Honestly, one of the joys of my career was getting to talk to so many Michiganders over the last few years and realizing that, even though conversations about change can be scary, people are open to big ideas. We had long-form conversations with about 20,000 Michiganders about what they loved about their place and what they wanted to build.

We came out of those conversations with people, almost without exception, supportive of the idea that we could lock arms and accomplish big things together. That was incredibly life-giving. If that’s possible statewide, I know it’s possible in Detroit.

Detroiters have no quit and endless creativity and vision. I can’t wait to do a similar volume of work in our neighborhoods alongside Detroiters, to build distinctive visions for each neighborhood and work with people to bring them to life.

Jer: If people want to get involved—whether they’re interested in these programs or in funding—how can they do that?

Hilary: Anyone can let us know they’re interested in joining a program or partnering with MoveDetroit at movedetroit.com. There’s a “Partner With Us” form where you can share how you’d like to participate and come on board.

We’d love to have you. It truly is a group project, and we need everyone we can. I think we’re going to get this done.

Jer: Hilary Doe, the CEO of MoveDetroit, thank you so much for joining us on Daily Detroit. And I should clarify: MoveDetroit is all one word; Daily Detroit is two words.

Hilary: Thanks for the clarification.

Jer: I appreciate you. Thank you.

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]

From Old Houses to New Hopes: Detroit State of the City Roundtable

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield delivered her first State of the City at Mumford High School, and we’re unpacking what it really means for everyday Detroiters. Host Jer Staes is joined by Norris Howard and Outlier Media civic life reporter Briana Rice to dig into homeownership and repair, wages and affordable

Daily DetroitNorris 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.

As always, thanks to our members on Patreon for keeping the lights on — and if you're thinking about joining, now's always a good time.

Remember that you are somebody,

-Jer

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield delivered her first State of the City at Mumford High School, and we're unpacking what it really means for everyday Detroiters. Host Jer Staes is joined by Norris Howard and Outlier Media civic life reporter Briana Rice to dig into homeownership and repair, wages and affordable housing, transit, retail corridors, youth programs, safety initiatives, and more.

They also talk about what was left out of the speech — and how much of the city's future will depend on local dollars and neighborhood-level follow-through.

Follow Briana's work here: https://outliermedia.org/author/briana-rice/

Full unofficial livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/VQMsqsyXMeY?si=mlHUIDdmcBF8EX9r&t=7846

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We LOVE going out. We love a great time at a great restaurant - and it doesn't have to be fancy to be great. But in recent years, we've seen some doozies and instead of calling out specific places, this is our combination love letter and grievance list for hospitality in Metro Detroit.

Me and engineer of alcohol and audio Randy dig into the real reasons diners don't come back to restaurants, bars, and shops, from missing addresses on social to chaotic hours and confusing menus.

We share practical, low-cost fixes businesses can make right now, including clearer parking info, better web and map listings, sane gratuity policies, and dialing in music and TVs for actual conversation instead of noise.

Whether you run a spot in Detroit or the suburbs, or you're just tired of stunt dishes and bad vibes, this conversation is full of specific examples and ideas to make going out feel worth it again.

Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.

Thanks to our members on Patreon for keeping us going! https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit

Welcome back from the weekend! Norris and Jer dig into:

• The names of three new lion cubs at the Detroit Zoo
• We unpack the quiet closure of Midtown's Jolly Pumpkin, what it meant to the neighborhood, and what to expect from the new concept coming in.
• There's a viral $50 billion "Freedom City" plan to turn Belle Isle into an exclusive enclave. But in their view, it's hype, not hopeful.
• And we close with the suddenly controversial parking rules facing Stellantis workers who don't drive company brands — but this is the way it's been at factories and facilities for many years.

Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211.

Make sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows.

Hey friends, Jer here. I’m writing to let you know that after an 11‑year run, the Jolly Pumpkin Pizzeria and Brewery in Detroit’s Midtown is closing at 6 p.m. today (Sunday).

This is now confirmed by a post on their official social media.

Jolly Pumpkin’s Midtown Detroit location has been on West Canfield since 2015, part of an active retail block that includes Shinola, City Bird, Nest, and Bon Bon Bon.

If you didn’t know, Jolly Pumpkin was a large, casual beer hall serving Michigan‑made sour beers and pizzas in a relaxed space with long communal tables and reclaimed wood.

Jolly Pumpkin also landed in the national spotlight when President Barack Obama stopped in for lunch in 2016.

The beers were paired with pizzas, truffle fries, and other shareable items built around Michigan‑made, small‑batch ingredients.

They say in their note that they "will be back in Detroit soon," and say to follow their social media. [Facebook]

Avalon later moved in to share the space when they left their Willis Street location. That side of the operation looks quiet too, with mugs on discount for $5.

This is the second brewery closure on the block this year, with Motor City Brewing Works shuttering in February.

I’ll be sharing more details as I get them on our Daily Detroit podcast and here in the newsletter — but I wanted you to have a couple hours’ notice before the 6 p.m. closing time if you want to head down.

Now down three dining spots in recent years (if you include Traffic Jam and Snug’s devastating fire in 2022), I’m hoping some new concepts move into this Canfield corridor near the Wayne State University campus.

🎥 We're doing an Unofficial State of the City YouTube watch party on Tuesday. Norris Howard, myself, and other guests will be watching Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield’s first State of the City along with all of you and offering analysis and reactions. Be sure to head over to our YouTube page; we'll be starting a little after 6 p.m.

🤖 Heres a Motown-infused Daft Punk moment. Motown’s musical power spreads the world over. Since it’s been a little while since I left you with some music at the end of one of these notes, I had to share this Thomas Bangalter set out of London.

If you don’t know, Bangalter was half of the robot duo Daft Punk. At 3:16, there’s a version of their hit “One More Time” that drops in samples of the classic “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” with Marvin Gaye’s vocals.

Until next time, remember that you are somebody — and I'll see you around Detroit.

-Jer

p.s. Local media needs local support to thrive, and we're powered by our members on Patreon.

Jer and Devon talk some of the local issues of the day, while having fun along the way:

01:55 - Trying Medusa in Detroit (Where we've been) - also see Engineer Randy's first look review.

05:55 - Trying Tuhama's in Dearborn (Where we've been)

11:44 - Metro Detroit's economic concerns; and AI Data Centers need to make their case to local communities

27:44 - Michigan Democratic Senate Primary Poll Talk (it's a tight race)

Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you download shows!

Your Daily Detroit is here with Jer and Norris, talking all things Metro Detroit. The Rundown:

04:55 - ICE Facility Fight is hot in Romulus

12:30 - Jack in the Box coming to Metro Detroit, with Westland first

15:51 - The Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is getting new adventure trails

19:52 - Old Comerica Building sold: Speculation on what's next? Plus a little history

25:55 - GM will have more semi-autonomous vehicles on Michigan's streets

30:23 - Apathocracy - the idea that more people need to be plugged in and care (and the down mood on jobs in a Gallup poll)

If you don't already, make sure to follow Daily Detroit in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows.

Today I sit down with HistoricDetroit.org founder Dan Austin for a candid conversation about Detroit’s lost landmarks, from the Statler and Madison-Lennox hotels to the Lafayette Building and beyond.

We talk about how preservation battles have shifted over the last 20 years, why the Austin Past and Future Fund aims to both safeguard Detroit’s stories and support Detroit students, and what it means to plant seeds for a future you may never see.

Dan also opens up about his terminal colon cancer diagnosis, the urgent need for earlier screenings, and how listeners can help by supporting the fund and taking care of their own health.

Support the fund: https://austinpastfuturefund.org/

Listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get shows.

On today's Daily Detroit, we're talking about what it really looks like when a public school system bets big on kids — and on the skies.

We were joined at the podcast table at Techtown by Principal Michelle Davis of Davis Aerospace Technical High School and Kerrie Mitchell Campbell‑Mabins, president and CEO of the DPSCD Foundation.​

Davis Aerospace is the only aviation‑themed high school on this side of the state, and their students aren't just reading about planes — they're earning FAA drone certifications, logging at least 40 flight hours, and in some cases getting a pilot's license before a driver's license.

The school owns three Cessnas, is moving back into a newly reimagined Detroit City Airport terminal, and pairs that rigor with hot chocolate bars, a "Zen den," low chronic absenteeism, and a 100% graduation rate.​

We also get into how the DPSCD Foundation is scaling support across 105 schools and 49,000 students, from transforming Cooley High into an athletic complex to a coming high school redesign that builds real career and college pathways.

If you care about Detroit's future, these are the kids — and the adults — to watch.

Hey friends, Jer here.

I want to start out with some gratitude, as it was amazing to see so many great faces at 313 Day Detroit trivia at Tocororo on Friday night! You all were the best, packing the bar and sharing that nerdy love for this place we call home.

The winners had possibly the best Detroit-themed trivia team name I have ever heard, "Ken Cockrel Jr. Jr."

It's a riff on former mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. and the band JR JR (formerly Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.) from Royal Oak.

Thanks to Randy, Amy, Jen, Norris, Luciano, Adam, Ben, and everyone at Tocororo for helping make the event a smashing success. We closed down the bar for a few hours with so many Daily Detroit fans.

Let's get together again soon! Community is strongest when we can build these bonds together.

Also on 313 Day, I was on hand for the reopening of the Belle Isle Casino, as $7.3 million in renovations have been done on it since 2020.

To be clear, this isn't a place with slots and tables — it's for recreation and events.

There are a ton of childhood memories for me there.

When I entered through the doors, my mind flashed back to the mid-1980s when there was a little restaurant in there and I'd get a hotdog, then go join my dad to sail model boats in the pond outside.

My podcast co-host Norris Howard took advantage of the architectural setup upstairs for a great pic. Opened in 1908, they literally don't make them like this anymore.

💸 The 111-unit The Corner apartment building on Detroit’s former Tiger Stadium site is up for sale, with Marcus & Millichap marketing the Corktown property for an undisclosed price. Opened in 2019, it includes roughly 27,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and apartments renting from about $1,161 for studios to $2,342 for two-bedrooms. [Crain's Detroit]

📉 A crypto firm that tokenized fractional ownership of hundreds of Detroit rentals is reportedly running out of cash, falling behind on taxes, water bills, and blight tickets while largely halting investor payouts. There's the real prospect that hundreds of properties could head toward tax foreclosure by the end of March. [Outlier Media]

💾 Google and DTE Energy say they’re planning a 1-gigawatt data center in Van Buren Township, powered by 2.7 GW of new solar, storage, and demand-flexibility resources. Reportedly, that's enough electricity to power two million homes. [Planet Detroit]

Unlike the fast-tracked Saline Township deal, DTE is taking Google’s power contracts to the Michigan Public Service Commission.

🧥 Empowerment Plan — the Detroit nonprofit that produces sleeping bag coats for people experiencing homelessness — marked a major milestone today, delivering its 100,000th coat to COTS Detroit, its longest running partner.

Empowerment Plan’s CEO Veronika Scott began visiting COTS as a college student when she was designing the very first coat — and was known back then as the “Crazy Coat Lady.”

ICYMI, here's our conversation with Veronika on the podcast. [Apple Podcasts]

Designing Dignity: How a Coat from Detroit Became a Lifeline (w/Veronika Scott)

The Empowerment Plan makes coats — and new opportunities.

Daily DetroitJer Staes

🎼 The Dearborn Inn has unveiled an all-new Third Man Records Suite, built for analog obsessives and rock-and-roll romantics.

Think turntable-in-the-room, a stack of vinyl to spin, vintage posters, and music mags, plus the option to shop the setup and take your favorites home.

Rates start at $350 a night in case you’re feeling like a proper Michigan headline act.

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As long as I've been talking about development and real estate in the city, I've been hearing how difficult it is to deal with the city itself. Too many steps, too many delays, and that it's too much of headache for developers large and small.

Monday, I was out on Pacific street where Mayor Mary Sheffield rolled out a four-point playbook that aims to speed up basic repairs, make it easier to build new homes and tighten up how the city deals with unsafe housing.​

The plan hinges on same day permits for common home projects like roofs, windows and siding. It also includes a new library of pre-approved home designs that is supposed to launch by the end of the year, so builders are not starting from scratch every time they want to put a house on one of Detroit’s many vacant lots.

On top of that, the city says it will put more focus on the safety of existing homes and upgrade BSEED’s technology and customer service so people spend less time fighting the system and more time getting work done.​

There's a lot here that sounds good on paper. The real test, as always, will be what happens when residents and contractors actually show up to file.

We got into more of the details and possibilities in our most recent Daily Detroit podcast, “Detroit's New Housing Playbook: Faster Permits to Build (and Fix) More Homes.”​

Listen on [Apple] [Spotify] or [Daily Detroit].

📰 Before I go, I want to say a note of thanks to someone who's dedicated a decade of their professional life to journalism and covering the city.

I heard that Malachi Barrett of Bridge Detroit is changing gears in life to become a firefighter/EMT.

Malachi has been on the show before, and I've run into him around town a number of times. I've always found him bright, thoughtful, and hardworking — someone who wrote a regular city council newsletter and had the ability to quickly understand the stories of this town.

Some people are in the media business for the attention. Some, to hear themselves talk. Others, truly have a heart of service. Malachi is one of those — and he's continuing that service, just in a different way. Cheers.

Thanks for reading. Until next time, remember that you are somebody... and I'll see you around Detroit. -Jer