Ardelia Lee

Detroit property taxesMayor Mike Duggan Reassessment

Many Detroiters To See Their Property Taxes Decrease

When Detroit homeowners receive their annual Notice of Property Assessment, due to be mailed next week, most will see a reduction in the assessed values of their homes. The reappraisals come after a review conducted by Chief Assessor Gary Evanko that showed most of the homes in the city were over assessed by 10 to 20 percent. Accordingly, about three-quarters of the city will see reductions of 10-20 percent, and one-quarter of homeowners will see a reduction of five percent or less. However, h...

61*8 mileDetroit movies

10 Awesome Movies Filmed In Metro Detroit

Watching movies is a great way to relax after a long day at work or a way to pass the time when the weather is bad, but did you know that the futuristic location in the sci-fi movie you’re about to watch may not be as far away as you think? Detroit has served as a filming location for many movies, even if you haven’t recognized some of the landmarks on the screen. The movie industry has a way of disguising real filming locations until they’re almost unrecognizable, even to the people who pass th...

How to become a revitalization fellowHow to help DetroitRevitalization Fellows

Become A Detroit Revitalization Fellow And Help Detroit's Turnaround

If you’re looking for a way to get involved in turning around Detroit, this might be your ticket. Detroit Revitalization Fellows is accepting applications for its 2015-17 fellowship from Jan. 26 to Feb. 20. The program is part of Wayne State University’s Office of Economic Development and offers talented mid-career leaders the chance to stimulate Detroit’s economic, civic, and community development. Accepted fellows serve in full time salaried positions for two years and they participate in...

Campus MartiusDetroitDetroit Winterblast

Don't Stay Home For This Winter Blast Of Fun

Campus Martius Park will transform into a winter wonderland on February 6, 7, and 8 for the 2015 Meridian Winter Blast. The event is a great opportunity to banish the winter blues by getting your family out of the house and engaged in exciting winter activities. The lineup of events at the 2015 Winter Blast promises one of the most exciting yet. Here’s the rundown for fun Outdoor Events Take your kids snowshoeing, iceskating, or zip lining (if they’re brave enough). Whatever you decide to...

affordable housingdemographiaDetroit

Metro Detroit Has Amongst The Most Affordable Housing In Developed World

The 11th Annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey found that out of 86 major metropolitan markets in nine different countries, Detroit’s housing market is the most affordable. The survey, perhaps one of most comprehensive collections of housing affordability data available from international markets, looked at 378 markets in Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Ireland, Singapore, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In total, the survey found 14 afford...

Detroit is a city to watchDetroit Tourismurbanful

Detroit Is One Of Six Cities To Watch

Urbanful has recently realized what residents and boosters of Detroit have long known: The City of Detroit is poised to see a grand transformation, one that will take solid root 2015. The article cited the fact that Detroit’s bankruptcy period only lasted 16 months, which was a relatively short time compared to other U.S. cities that faced bankruptcy. However, Detroit’s ability to remain strong in the face of financial woes and still emerge with a fighting spirit is the driving force behind ma...

Clubs in DetroitDowntown DetroitGreektown

POLL: Does Downtown Need a New Strip Club?

A new gentlemen’s club named Legends plans to make its debut this month. The club styles itself as “Metro Detroit’s newest and most anticipated club,” but it will likely face stiff competition from Bouzouki, another Downtown Detroit strip club. Legends may also have to overcome its location’s history. Located at 415 E. Congress next to St. Andrew Hall, the building has often been the center of violent activity. Before it became Legend’s, it was home to Pandemonium, a rowdy nightclub that was o...

King Kong DetroitKing Kong movie Detroit

King Kong To Descend On Detroit

Legendary’s upcoming King Kong movie, currently titled Kong: Skull Island will be shot, at least partly, in Detroit. The movie stars Golden Globe winners J.K. Simmons and Michael Keaton, along with Avengers villain Tom Hiddleston. Though Simmons isn’t sure what to call the movie, “It’ll have something about King Kong and/or Skull Island in the title,” he told MTV on the Golden Globes red carpet, he is sure about the film’s location: Detroit in the year 1971. “It’s where I grew up,” he said...

Governor SnyderOnline sales tax in Michigan

Michigan To Begin Collecting Sales Tax For Online Purchases

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation Thursday that requires large online retailers in Michigan to collect and remit the state’s 6% sales tax starting October 1. The law is expected to bring in about $60 million a year. Traditional retailers, who have long advocated for the “Main Street Fairness” legislation, believe that tax-free Internet sales are unfairly undermining their business. “Local brick-and-mortar businesses drive our economy and without implementing this fix, they will co...

Comedy Central Orders “Detroiters” Pilot Starring Two Detroit Natives

Comedy Central is planning to put Detroit on the airwaves with a pilot order to Detroiters, a comedy executive produced by former Saturday Night Live star Jason Sudeikis and SNL creator and producer Lorne Michaels’ company Broadway Video. Detroiters fittingly stars two Detroit natives: Sam Richardson (Veep) and SNL writer Tim Robinson. The show focuses on two local ad men, Tim (Robinson) and Sam (Richardson), who produce low-budget commercials in Detroit. Like many Detroiters, the men reflect...

Augustus WoodwardFannie RichardsFather Gabriel Richard

10 Historic Detroiters You Should Know

The history of Detroit is complex and colorful, including people from different classes, nationalities, and races. You’ve probably heard names like Ford and Cadillac, but there are many more who make up the fabric of our past. Many of the people who influenced the city were born in other places, but they all shared one common trait: the desire to enhance Detroit, the city they chose to call home. Whether they lived in the 1700s and helped the city flourish after its founding, or whether they s...

D Discount CardDetroit Discount CardSave Money in Detroit

QUICK TIP: See The Best of Detroit And Save Money With The D Discount Pass

Love visiting Detroit’s cultural attractions? Most readers of this blog near and far we think do. But also want to save money? Check out what we found. It’s called the D Discount Pass from the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau. It’s the only pass that lets you save up to 20% (or more) at participating museums and attractions: * Motown Museum * Ford Piquette Avenue Plant * The Henry Ford * Sea Life Michigan Aquarium (New – See our preview of the sharks here) * Charles H. Wrigh...

25 Detroit Projects Figure Prominently As Knight Cities Challenge Finalists

Detroiters have long made it clear that they love their city and want the best for it, and the pride and commitment that is so indicative of Detroit’s residents paid off in the Knight Cities Challenge. Today the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation announced 126 finalists in its first Knight Cities Challenge. The contest called for ideas to enhance the 26 communities where the Knight Foundations invests. Despite its new status, the challenge received over 7,000 entries from organizations and...

ApparelDetroitMyLocker

Inspired by Detroit: Shades Apparel Collection Launched

There’s no denying that Detroit is a unique city with a rich, colorful history, and now some of the most iconic symbols of its street art are available for a limited time. Antonio “Shades” Agee, one of Detroit’s best known street artists, has partnered with MyLocker to create an Inspired by Detroit: Shades Collection. MyLocker, an e-commerce company headquartered in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, is using automated embroidery technology combined with state-of-the-art color printing to r...

DetroitDresner FoundationGrant

Karmanos Cancer Institute Receives $5.3 Million Grant For Continued Research

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in midtown Detroit is a unique organization. It’s the only hospital in Michigan to focus exclusively on battling cancer, and it’s one of only 41 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive care centers in the United States. Karmanos is dedicated to preventing, detecting, treating, and eradicating cancer, and now they have some help continuing their critical mission. Karmanos was designated as the recipient of a generous $5,375,000 grant from the...

Auto ShowCar ShowDetroit

The 2015 North American International Auto Show Promises To Amaze

The final stages of preparation for the 27th annual North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), one of the premiere automotive conventions in the world, are underway in Detroit. In the past, the auto show has been the place where global manufacturers introduce new products, and the lineup for the 2015 NAIAS is expected to be one of the most innovative yet. Highlights are expected to include: * “The Gallery” – Hosted by MGM Grand on Saturday, January 10. The event features more than $6 m...

Art VanHelp the homelessHomeless

You Can Help Keep Homeless Feet Warm in Winter Through Art Van’s “Shoe-In” Drive

Plummeting temperatures and intermittent snowfall can turn any city into a winter wonderland, but they can be extremely dangerous for the homeless. To help keep Michiganders in need warm, Warren-based Art Van Furniture is partnering with Cass Community Social Services during the month of January to collect boots and shoes. The public is encouraged to participate in the “Shoe In” campaign by cleaning out their closets and delivering any new or gently used shoes to any of Art Van Furniture’s 39...

Are Cupcakes Over?CrumbsCupcakes

POLL: Has The Cupcake Craze Crashed?

What started as a baking hobby for Pam Turkin quickly became a successful cupcake business. However, whether or not that success is here to stay remains to be seen. Turkin, the founder of Livonia-based Just Baked, is closing all but four of the company’s shops. The franchise locations in Ann Arbor, Canton, Southfield, and Southgate will remain in operation. Turkin opened Just Baked in 2008, riding the wave of public interest in gourmet cupcake shops. One year after it opened, the company had a...