Hey there, it's Jer.

Detroit is something special when the warm weather comes. It's like the city awakens in a matter of days from a hibernated slumber to doing the hustle in the streets. It's a beautiful thing.

Thanks to all the people who stopped through the Daily Detroit studio at TechTown on Saturday. Had a great time learning about our readers and listeners, as well as getting to know what really resonates with people on a personal level about our city and region.

If this is your first time here, sign up for future notes, free.

National News, Local Lens

✈ Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan will receive 21 new F-15EX Eagle II fighter jets to replace its aging A-10 fleet. The base, located in Macomb County, will also get 12 KC-46 Pegasus refueling aircraft by 2029.

These updates are a significant modernization and secure the base's long-term future. The F-15EX is a completely redesigned version of the F-15, with enhanced weapons systems and networking capabilities for modern combat environments.

This transition is on the tail end of Selfridge's A-10 program, which has been operational since the 1970s.

Though they have a long history of conflict, President Donald Trump and Michigan Governor Whitmer embraced on the tarmac. Many local leaders sent statements praising the announcement.

If you wonder why politicians on both sides of the aisle have been pushing for this — sometimes, staying quiet on certain things to the frustration of some members of their political bases — Selfridge and Michigan’s military complex is a big part of the local economy.

According to the State of Michigan, Selfridge contributes about $850 million to Michigan’s economy, supporting 30,000 jobs statewide and over 5,000 members of the Air and Army National Guard and Reserve components.

🚗 President Trump signed an executive order providing temporary relief from some auto tariffs. While the core 25% import tax remains, carmakers won't face double taxation on components. GM and other manufacturers welcomed the changes but warn car prices will still rise. Automotive executives are hoping more talks with the administration mean more concessions on the policy. [New York Times]

Auto industry advocacy group MichAuto praised the move, saying that “the automotive and mobility industry needs clear lines of sight on costs and reliable supply chains to remain globally competitive.” [MichAuto]

What to know

🔥 Some residents of Detroit's Historic Lafayette Park are hot under the collar over Detroit Thermal's plans to install high-pressure steam pipes through playgrounds and green spaces. The expansion is to serve a nearby high-rise residential building with ongoing heat issues. But some worry the new steam infrastructure could harm children and destroy the neighborhood's character. The city has issued a stop work order, but Detroit Thermal claims they don't need historic district approval – setting up a possible court battle. [Metro Times]

🏠 Detroit's apartments are shrinking fast, now ranking as the 6th smallest in the U.S. at just 728 square feet. That's even smaller than in the New York City borough of Manhattan.

According to RentCafe, the city saw the third-largest decrease in apartment sizes in the nation over the last decade, driven by studios and one-bedrooms. While three-bedroom units are getting bigger, they're rare: Small units now make up 80% of new apartments in the Motor City. [RentCafe]

My two cents: A lot of this is economics. Since we're talking new apartments, when a developer is rehabbing or building a place, you can't get double the money for a two bedroom; so if you carve it up into studios and one-bedrooms you might bring in more cash flow in the same space.

Although this analysis was of multi-family buildings of 50 units or more, diversity of housing options is an issue in the city and we'll be talking about that and more in an upcoming podcast conversation with Detroit Future City's Anika Goss.

🧱 A 100-year old building in Detroit's North End is getting rehabbed.  Built in 1925, the commercial block on Oakland Avenue was on the city's demo list until the non-profit Stafford House put the project forward. It'll have four ground-floor commercial spaces at about 1,000 square foot each. Last I could find, there'd be a coffee shop, training center, retail and offices for an engineering company. [Daily Detroit]

☕️ dose.detroit held their grand opening this week in Detroit's Midtown. We took a look inside. [Daily Detroit]

🔧 Ever wanted to be a historic vehicle mechanic? If I had the skills to reliably work on autos and buses from 1914 through 1953, I'd apply to the Henry Ford museum as they're looking for one. [The Henry Ford]

On The Podcast

🏳️‍🌈 Ferndale Pride is just about a month away! I chatted with organizer Julia Music about what to expect at this year's festival on Saturday, May 31 as well as some of the events leading up. It's been a year with new challenges, but I'm glad to see them navigate through them. Also, our booth on West Nine Mile will return! [Daily Detroit] [Apple Podcasts]

🍴 What are the most overrated foods? Fletcher Sharpe joined me to talk about that and local stories around town. [Daily Detroit] [Apple Podcasts]

Go Do The Thing

🎭 Check out The Moth's "Only in Detroit" StorySLAM. Share or listen to authentic 5-minute tales from local legends to personal encounters that could only happen here on Thursday, May 1. Doors open at the Marble Bar at 6:30p, stories begin at 7:30p. [Tickets]

Thanks so much for reading and supporting what we do. Local media needs your local support, so join us as a member on Patreon and get our access to our secret podcast, swag, and connect with our member-only Discord community chat. And our big thanks.

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

-Jer

p.s. - Tonight's track is a throwback. Some of the more experienced Detroit area folks might remember Alan Almond and Pillow Talk on 100.3 WNIC-FM. He had a legendarily smooth voice, and to me the show was synonymous with "Summer Madness" by Kool & The Gang. It's quite a romantic smooth jazz jam, IMHO. Almond passed away in 2015, his face a mystery to most fans. Ahh, the magic of radio before social media.