Jer here. Lots to talk about, so I’ll get to it. As always, my thoughts are in italics.
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What to know…
» Construction has started to redo Woodward from 8 Mile to I-696. When it’s done, in the stretch near downtown Ferndale there will be fewer lanes for cars but safer road access for businesses, pedestrians, and cyclists. Phase one of the project will end in November, with the remainder starting in April of next year. [Urbanize Detroit]
We also talk about it on the podcast.
» Jefferson-Chalmers residents came out in force against a plan to block the canals from the river when there’s high water. The idea is to stop the area from being designated a flood zone by FEMA, which increases the insurance on residents and makes a large part of the Detroit neighborhood ineligible for grants and other programs, possibly grinding development in the area on the river side of Jefferson near the Grosse Pointe Park border to a virtual halt. A solution still needs to be found. [Planet Detroit]
» The historic Merchants Building in Downtown Detroit will be developed into a 135-unit hotel. Detroit-based Method Development LLC plans to include food, beverage, event space, and a rooftop bar in the structure built in 1922. Method has a track record in the city with nine projects listed on their website, including one that’s the home of Vault of Midnight. Detroit-based Kraemer Design Group is the architect. [Crain's Detroit]
» For the first time in 30 years, there’s an FAA approved Airport Layout Plan for City Airport, making it eligible for more than $100 million in federal grants over the next decade. Investment in Coleman A. Young International Airport will result in new hangars, a control tower, and taxiways. The Benjamin O. Davis Aerospace Technical High School will return, and the on-site Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Services will be re-established. The FAA also approved the decommissioning of Crosswinds Runway, freeing up 80 acres for development. [City of Detroit Press Release]
This is a long time coming. One of the great things about having a new person around the shop is they ask questions like, “Why does this matter?” and then I realize that because there’s been no approved plan City Airport has been basically locked in place, having to make incremental progress since eight years before he was alive.
Few politically wanted to say this, but commercial carrier aircraft were never returning to the airport, no matter the political protestations. The runway is something like 5,400 feet and the FAA requires 10,000. The math just doesn’t work. The Duggan administration (in my opinion) smartly realized this, and got behind a pivot to being the kind of airport that can work between cemeteries that legally just can’t be moved.
» The Peterboro restaurant in Detroit will be back with new(ish) ownership. We reported earlier this year that they closed with little warning. [Eater Detroit]
» DPD’s Squatters Action Team (well, a team of one person) is under scrutiny as city police aren’t generally supposed to be part of the eviction process. [Outlier]
» Trying to right a house wrong connected to a writing contest. Imagine getting a Spirit of Detroit award for winning a contest from a non-profit to move into a free house — that turns out you don’t have clean title on. [Bridge Detroit]
» The Belle Isle Nature Center is back open with a new look. I paid them a visit on the podcast.
» Nearly 250 Detroit residents have become homeowners thanks to the Make It Home Program this year. The program helps residents whose landlords failed to pay property taxes (an all too common occurrence in the city) become homeowners instead of being kicked out. The Rocket Community Fund is now expanding their home repair program with an additional $1.5 million, providing more grants and 0% interest loans. Since launching in 2017, nearly 1,400 families have been helped. [City of Detroit Press Release]
» Bleep, bleep, bleh: Engineer Randy stepped in for our Friday host and we talked about the new Target going in at Mack and Woodward, a specialty booze from Michigan, a tiki bar experience and of course, we had to try that pizza robot. It was, technically, a pizza.
» Halloween in the D is coming on October 31. Rouge and Pingree parks will be transformed into family-friendly destinations and there will be trunk or treats around the city. Last year, nearly 30,000 kids took advantage of the event. [City of Detroit]
Can I just say as a former Angel’s night patrol person how awesome that the house fires are not as much of a thing anymore? I miss the social aspect of patrolling, but not the reason why we had to. Somewhere I still have my Dennis Archer whistle from one of my first years. In case you’re new here, he’s a former mayor and now I feel old for having to make that disclaimer.
DCFC Talk
Me and Fletcher Sharpe talk about the end of Detroit City’s regular season, goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher winning the Black Arrow award, and look forward to the first round of the playoffs in Memphis.
I’m going to Memphis this weekend to cover the match. If you have any recommendations near downtown, I’d love to hear them!
Thanks to our sponsor for the trip, your Metro Detroit Edward Jones Financial Advisors.
We also appeared on the Michigan Soccer Central podcast to talk about the team and why we cover Detroit’s only pro sports team that’s in the playoffs.
Where to go…
» 💀 The most Metro Detroit of haunted things possible: Where you don’t even have to get out of your car. That’s right, a haunted carwash. It’s in northern Oakland County this weekend and next. [WXYZ]
» 🍻 It’s sure to be a sea of flannel at the Michigan Beer Fest in Eastern Market. And I say that as a flannel-wearer. Saturday afternoon. [Eventbrite]
» 👻 Get a little bit of history in Plymouth with their ghost walk put on by the Plymouth Historical Museum. [Eventbrite]
» 📽 See Nosferatu at Silents at the Senate on Saturday night. This screening celebrates the film’s 100th anniversary. [Website]
» 🍎 Cider in the City at Beacon Park gives people the chance to have a cider mill experience in the heart of Downtown Detroit. [Website]
p.s. - Why am I posting these on a Wednesday? So you have time to plan and think about what you want to do!
If you find what we do valuable, consider buying us a coffee if you can afford it or getting in touch to sponsor us.
A few end notes. Beyond the Memphis trip, I’m scheduled to speak (or moderate, depending where I’m needed) at CreatorCon in November, and at the MichAuto Summit in December.
Remember that you are somebody and I’ll see you around Detroit,
-Jer
Still reading? This newsletter was put together listening to Terrence Parker (aka Telephone Man). If you didn’t know this Detroit house DJ, now you do.
