Hey, it’s Jer. We have a ton to cover in today’s note. So let’s just get to it.
OMG-icron…
» Hospitals have been stressed with COVID patients under the Delta wave, but Omicron brings a new set of challenges because symptomatic illness seems to cut through the vaccines. The vaccines do provide protection against more severe outcomes.
What this means is more people are coming down sick, slowing things down. Already short-staffed, Henry Ford Health System says 113 staff called off ill with COVID in the last seven days. That’s not good. But add on 100 new call-offs today alone? If this trend continues, that’s also not good. [WXYZ]
» Oakland University has taken classes online when they return on January 5. It’s supposed to end a couple weeks later, but if I’m being honest, we’ll see about that. Wayne State University will decide soon if they’re doing something similar. [OU]
» 90% of Kuhnhenn’s Clinton Township bar and kitchen staff have Coronavirus, and so are shutting down all but pickup service. They’re continuing on with full service at their Warren brewery. [Facebook]
» The NHL has shut down until after Christmas, including the Red Wings, to deal with the huge outbreak of cases. Negative tests will be required to return. [NHL]
» “We are in for a tough four to six weeks”: That’s what Governor Gretchen Whitmer says tonight in a statement re: the Federal response announced earlier today, including more medical personnel and a website in January where you can get free at-home tests.
» Our Fletcher Sharpe says that if we’re not shutting down sports, we should play without fans in the arena. The risks are too high, including one people don’t always think of: When pro teams run with short benches, athletes could get hurt on the field (or ice) faster. [Daily Detroit Podcast - Apple Podcasts - Spotify]
My Two Cents: Truth is, I know I won’t be able to convince anyone of anything at this point. People have drawn their battle lines, and I’ll try and keep you updated with what you need to know.
Just please take care of yourselves out there and don’t try anything that looks like Steve-O on a bad day. Our emergency rooms are quite busy right now.
What to know…
» Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is questioning the U.S. Census count, saying that the 639k number is too low and the Trump administration “intentionally” undercounted the city of Detroit. He brought out an interesting study from the University of Michigan, looking at neighborhood data to refute this. He’s saying it’s actually 700,000 people in the city, which would mean he fulfilled his promise that the city would grow in population under his tenure.
[Flashpoint] [Detroit News] [Daily Detroit Twitter Thread]
My Two Cents: Do I think there are people missed? Sure, I can buy that. Here’s an interesting thread on houses you wouldn’t expect to be rehabbed but are, even if there aren’t permits for them.
And I get why he’s fighting it. He politically must. Lots of Federal dollars are tied to population, and tying it to the former president is a smart tactic. But a 60,000+ person difference? IMHO, that’s a stretch. And I’m saying that as someone who would like him to be right. After 20+ years as an adult in this town I’m skeptical of being told a flashlight through a sewer grate is sunshine.
I’m also open to having my mind changed as the facts present themselves.
» Is a beloved Detroit brand endorsing anybody for Michigan Governor a good idea? I would have thought a consumer-focused business would have stayed out of high-profile politics. Guess I’m wrong. The owners of Better Made Potato chips have publicly thrown their support behind former Detroit Police Chief James Craig. He’s the Republican front runner for the nomination.
From Crain’s, during a tour they gave Craig of their Gratiot factory:
"If you need anything in your endeavors moving forward, don't hesitate to ask us," [Phil] Gusmano told Craig. "We're happy to help you out."
"We're 100 percent behind you, chief," added David A. Jones, president of Better Made.”
The Belnord in the Art Center neighborhood of Midtown is getting a $2.9 million renovation.
It’ll be done by developer Ed Siegel’s Detroit-based JacobStreet L.L.C. The building, built in 1914, will have 29 units and no existing residents will be moved.
The 26,652-square-foot building will have affordable rents, meaning the housing is targeted at single Detroiters making between $28,000 and $44,800.
Apartments will range from studios to three bedrooms.
Work will be completed early next year and is funded mostly by a $2.46 million loan from the Detroit Housing for the Future Fund, managed by LISC Detroit.
My Two Cents: I used to walk my dog past this one every day. I hear they’re going to reactivate the garden level that you can currently see in the photo is boarded up, and that’ll be great. I really wish we had saved more of these corner apartment buildings that used to dot the city.
What else to know…
» Public House in Ferndale is reopening today after a long slumber. They have a new menu with vegan and carnivorous options, some updates to the interior and apparently a new patio area that looks quite tropical. [PH Insta]
» An athleisure line designed by a Cass Tech and Wayne State grad has made it to Oprah’s list of favorite things. Cool! [Fox 2 Detroit]
» There’s a new autonomous shuttle that’s delivering food to seniors in the Hubbard-Richard neighborhood of Detroit thanks to the Ford Foundation. I have a conversation about it here with Rene Palileo of the project:
» There’s a good op-ed from a few days ago by Greg Bowens on redistricting and Metro Detroit’s changing demographic landscape and redistricting. Here are a couple poignant paragraphs. You can read the whole thing here: [Deadline Detroit]
Meanwhile, many leaders look like they are fighting over protecting their own jobs in a faux city vs. suburb turf war in the ongoing redistricting battle.
More Blacks live outside Detroit than in it, but part of the argument relies on having us believe a Black suburbanite loses his or her ability to represent the interests of Blacks living in the city – even if they’re from the city. Systemic racism, the educational gap, economic inequality, an unfair justice system, etc. don’t disappear going from Detroit to Redford, Southfield or Eastpointe. Black is Black, wherever you live.
» Ding, ding the QLINE goes in downtown Detroit. When it arrives? Well, it’ll have free fares for the first three months of 2022. This will be funded by the Penske Corporation and Kresge Foundation. M-1 Rail says they’re serving 1,100 riders daily, and are on time 70% of the time. Now, that’s no gold standard, but far better than the 35%-ish on time rate before they shut down for the pandemic.
» What about schools in 2022? What are the challenges and opportunities? Robert McCann, the Executive Director of the K-12 Alliance of Michigan, joined me on the podcast to talk about it. [Daily Detroit Podcast - Apple Podcasts - Spotify]
» “Man about town” Devon O’Reilly talks about three places he tried in the last couple of weeks; our favorite unwritten places to grab something to eat; and our predictions for 2022 when it comes to dining. [Daily Detroit Podcast]
We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes.
Detroit’s motto couldn’t be more perfect as we transition from 2021 to 2022. The last two years have been challenging in myriad ways.
I, still, hope for better things. For you, for this project, and for our shared home.
This holiday season, I am thankful for the thousands of you who read this note every time we send one.
Thanks to Shianne Nocerini, Fletcher Sharpe, Devon O’Reilly and Randy Walker for their help on the podcast in 2021.
Engineer Randy is currently battling COVID. Hopefully he recovers quickly, keep him in your thoughts if you have a spare one.
Also thanks to our members on Patreon for making this thing go. It is members who drive our work.
And gratitude must go to our super members and sometimes advertisers Plum Health DPC, John Hofman of Fusion Marketing, and Nemo Rathwald, Board Game Designer for their support.
Take care of each other, and I’ll see you around Detroit. Maybe with a Santa hat on.
-Jer
