Hey friends, Jer here.

So good to meet so many new faces at the Toast of the Town on Friday night at Techtown. Organizers say more than 800 people came through the doors for a night of fun and celebrating Detroit’s entrepreneurs and their ideas.

Also welcome to those who signed up for this newsletter!

If you’re new here and reading this for the first time, sign up here for future notes free.

As always, my analysis is in italics.

🎨 A new double-sided mural has gone up at the soon-to-open Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park, sometimes informally called West Riverfront Park.

Fun fact, it’s the top of the air vent for the train tunnel that runs between the two countries that opened in 1910.

I was told that artist Sydney G. James (who you’d know from that massive “Girl with the D Earring” on Chroma and other works around town) had to be let in by Canadian officials to work.

I mention this as we’re quickly approaching the grand opening of the park on Saturday, October 25, featuring the Detroit Harvest Fest throughout the weekend.

We’ll have an episode on it all in your podcast feeds soon, but I can’t wait to see this place — from the nature features to the sports courts to everything else.

I remember going to this spot that used to be a rail yard, and then a festival grounds… it was a very muddy MoPOP that I spent there some years ago. 😅

🛝 Staying on the riverfront (but focusing east), A.B. Ford Park on the east side of Detroit will re-open officially on Wednesday.

The city of Detroit says there’s a new riverfront plaza with beach areas, a basketball court with fitness area, more walkways, patios and gathering spaces, better lighting — and of course, the recently completed community center.

I’ve put a plan map up above.

It’s at 100 Lenox. You’re gonna have to drive through the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood to get there.

I plan on going and will bring back some pictures.

🚲 The City of Detroit is proposing changes to land use around the Joe Louis Greenway. They’re looking to “downzone” 18 heavy industrial parcels near I-75 and McNichols (Six Mile) to more environmentally friendly uses.

The goal is to prevent facilities like concrete plants from being built near the planned 29-mile biking and walking path.

The rezoning won't affect current businesses, but will restrict future industrial development. The next step is a public hearing on the proposal in December or January. [Bridge Detroit]

🚙 General Motors has canceled its hydrogen fuel cell development program for vehicles and scrapped a planned $55 million Detroit factory at the former State Fairgrounds site. The decision ends a project with Piston Automotive that would have created 140+ jobs. [GM] [GM Authority] [Crain’s Detroit Business]

General Motors said, in part:

While hydrogen holds promise for specific high-demand industrial applications like backup power, mining, and heavy trucking, the path to reaching a sustainable business in fuel cells is long and uncertain. High costs and limited hydrogen infrastructure in the U.S. has limited consumer adoption of fuel cell-powered vehicles. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, only 61 hydrogen refueling stations exist nationwide, compared to more than 250,000 level 2 or faster electric vehicle charging locations.

🏗️ Also, General Motors has put up their new sign on the side of the Hudson’s office tower. One of our listeners caught it going down the streets of downtown Detroit.

Above is a drone video of it going in place. It’s 20 feet tall and can change colors. Three more will be installed so all four sides are branded.

There are so many strong feelings about this one. I know the “new” GM logo bothers lots of people who are used to the old capital letters — but it doesn’t bother me. It’s 2025, and I’ve learned over the years that the only constant is change.

I think some of it is tied to the fact that it’s likely at least some of the RenCen (the former General Motors HQ) is destined for the wrecking ball — so for many this development doesn’t feel like a net plus.

Also, some have said to me that the sign is lower in the sky and it makes them feel like a visual sign the company isn’t what it once was; or, disappointment that cars aren’t as important in Detroit’s future.

Curious as to your thoughts… hit up the contact form or reply.

🧑‍💻 Looking for a job or connections in IT or tech-related fields? Our old friends at IT in the D are having a networking event this Thursday at the Detroit Shipping Company from 5p-8p. No agenda. No speakers. No cover charge — Just networking with IT professionals. I think it’s the area’s longest-running tech meetup. [Meetup]

😱 Are you looking for some horror movie action that was filmed in Detroit? “Deathbed: The Bed That Eats” was shot in the 70s in the region, including at the now-demolished Gar Wood mansion. If you want a wild trip through time and you’re into horror, maybe the film is for you. [Clips on YouTube]

Recently, I talked about it with Annalise Frank of Axios on the Daily Detroit podcast — a fun conversation I wouldn’t want you to miss if you’re interested. [Apple Podcasts]

🗳️ A couple of Detroit city politics things to know…

• District 6 city council member Gabriela Santiago-Romero endorsed council president and candidate for mayor, Mary Sheffield, on Monday Afternoon.
• The only scheduled televised mayoral debate will be on Channel 7 WXYZ on Wednesday night at 7p. It’ll be at their studios in Southfield. We’re planning a reaction podcast episode for the next day.

We’ve found it’s word of mouth that drives what we do.

The work that’s constructive for our community isn’t about BIG LOUD ACTION WORD headlines. It’s about taking action, no matter how small.

So tell a friend about what we’re doing, and thanks to our members who get swag, access to our private podcast, our member Discord and support our independent, all-local media project on Patreon.

Remember that you are somebody,

-Jer

p.s. - I’m still in mourning about the Tigers — and the Lions disappointed on Sunday night. I need a minute after staying up for all 15 innings over the weekend. But will have some thoughts tomorrow on the show with Fletcher Sharpe tomorrow.