Luciano Marcon
Passionate about policy, helping people, and putting out the word about home.
A partnership between Ste. Anne's and the newly-formed The Catholic Initiative is paying for a $30 million rehabilitation of the Basilica of Ste. Anne, aiming to guarantee its future for the next couple hundred years.
Built in 1886, Ste. Anne's is one of 89 churches in the U.S. to have the "minor basilica" distinction. It is the eighth structure in the parish's history. Ste. Anne's dates back to July 26, 1701, two days after Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac and a group of French people traveled from Quebec and settled in Detroit.
The parish's history is linked to the whole state. One of its early pastors Fr. Gabriel Richard printed the first newspaper in Michigan, co-founded the University of Michigan, and was a delegate to Congress from the Michigan territory.
The Vatican approved this partnership. Part of the agreement transfers ownership of the building and campus to a non-profit to preserve the basilica and property.
The Catholic Initiative assumes all responsibility for maintenance and renovation, while the Ste. Anne's parish retains exclusive and permanent rights to use the property as a Catholic church and basilica through a 200 year renewable lease.
The Catholic Initiative is supported by the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, paying for $111 million in projects to guarantee long-term perpetuity for community institutions and programs.
The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) board voted Wednesday to increase water service charges by 5.9% and wastewater charges by 4.5%.
But what you pay at home may be more.
The GLWA provides service to many local communities who then set their own rates, adding a markup to cover local costs.
In a release sent after the meeting, the GLWA says that the price of chemicals, utilities and construction materials has risen nearly 55% since 2020.
There's also a new multi-year flood mitigation study in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where the Corps and GLWA split the $6 million cost 50/50.
GLWA's 2026 budget is $954 million, up $48 million from the year before.
Public comment lasted three hours, with residents and local leaders like former state rep. Cynthia A. Johnson and Utica mayor Gus Calandrino in opposition.
The rate increases take effect July 1, after an annual 4% rate increase cap expires.
The spot I visited Tuesday was Brush Park Apartments.
It's a $19-million development with 53 affordable units and 3,800 square feet of commercial space at 269 Winder in Detroit.
The second is in Midtown. It's named MLK on 2nd, at 3515 Second Avenue.
That $11.5-million project has 33 units and also features ground-floor commercial space.
Out of the combined 86 units across both developments, 63 will be deeply affordable for those earning 60 percent area median income (AMI) or below, with the remainder being available for households earning 80 percent AMI or below.
The projects, funded through various partnerships including CVS Health, Fifth Third Bank, and government programs, aim to make sure Detroiters can afford to live in desirable neighborhoods.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said that more than $1 billion of affordable housing has been built in the last five years.
A simple hug helped break down the color barrier in baseball, and the story has a big local angle.
One Detroit did a segment about Steve Gromek of Hamtramck, and Larry Doby, the second African American in the MLB, and how their moment together sent shockwaves through not only Detroit — but much of the country.
Our podcast co-host Fletcher Sharpe was part of the piece, too. Have a watch.
I spotted that the retail space at 1425 Woodward in downtown Detroit is getting a new chapter.
Free People is an Urban Outfitters brand, focusing on bohemian fashion for women. There is a store in the Somerset Collection in Troy.
What is Free People? From their website:
Free People, a specialty lifestyle brand, serves as the destination for those who embrace creativity, inclusivity, and individuality. In support of their growing global community, Free People crafts and curates an expansive collection of apparel, accessories, shoes, swim, vintage and small business goods, and beauty – all in the name of Creative Spirit.
I don't have an opening date for you yet.
I saw visual progress is being made on the former United Savings Bank in Detroit's Capitol Park.
It's undergoing significant remodeling to an art deco-inspired design, and the addition of four new floors. Two stories will be for commercial space, and the rest will have 25 residential units.
Designed by Albert Kahn and opened in 1921, the building's facade was ruined by a "facelift" in the 70s that removed most of the windows.
The developers of 1133 Griswold Street are the Detroit-based RKP Group.
How the building looked in the 1920s, vs. just before renovation, then the rendering for the future.
The Great Lakes Water Authority also says it has removed water from the site of the water main break, and crews have excavated the area.
Per a release:
Based upon current conditions, it is anticipated that an approximately 12-foot section of pipe will need to be removed, and the replacement section of pipe has been ordered. The replacement pipe is expected to be delivered on-site within the next 24-hours.
FYI, The city of Detroit has set up a hotline at 313-774-5261. That's where impacted residents can go to get set up in hotels and other temporary services.
The 2025 Champagne Showcase Presented by Labatt is coming up! It's a fundraiser for the Clark Park Coalition, and the goal is to raise $20k to help with the preservation of their iconic outdoor ice arena.
This is not a tasting event. Get ready to watch some hockey! There also will be food trucks, a raffle, music, and a heated beer tent.
The teams are:
- Champagne Athletics - Detroit
- Bowline Financial - Grosse Pointe Woods
- Iris Mortgage - Grosse Pointe Park
- Iron Fish Distillery - Thompsonville
- Delaware North - New Boston
- Mens League Sweaters - St Johns
- Holiday Lighting Authority - Shelby Township
- Presses for Industry - Detroit
This family-friendly event is Saturday, February 22, from 1pm - 8pm. The event is free with a $10 suggested donation.
You can skate from 4pm-5pm in between the games. More details here.
In this episode, Luciano talks with Jer and Shianne about the new Raising Cane's in Canton. Luciano talks about the energy of the moment, how the food tasted, and his first impression of Raising Cane's.
The location is in Canton, at Ford Road and Sheldon, between the Walgreen's and Firestone Complete Auto Care.
You know the hype is real when people camp overnight in the cold for your chicken fingers.
Brothers Henry and Joshua Cox camped outside the door starting at 7pm on Monday night. Patrice Austin joined shortly after.
The grand opening was well organized, and the staff wasn't phased by the crowds. Everyone got their food quickly.
My first impression of The Box Combo.
Raising Cane's has a simple, fast-casual menu. This isn't a Michelin star - this is on the go, and you get good value for what you pay. I'm into the One Cane's Sauce.
The coleslaw was a solid B+. I am Polish, and we like to pickle and ferment foods.
The coleslaw could have been a little stronger, and I would have liked some more spices, but that is a personal preference. The cabbage had plenty of dressing while maintaining some crunch.
Although a chain, they included local flair. There was a decorative piece from Ford, a Plymouth-Canton marching band jacket, and even a Willow Run Airport pennant flag. That is a nice touch to make residents feel comfortable dining at the restaurant.
Raising Cane's is at 44218 Ford Road in Canton.
