Friday notes: Detroit's skyline is about to change

Hey friends,

Detroit's skyline is about the change again. This time, with a new 600-room hotel where Joe Louis Arena used to be, as av JW Marriott is coming. [Urbanize Detroit]

Immediately, I thought of when I took the Chicago architecture boat tour. This rendering gives me that vibe right away, and I think that's a good thing. Opening up the lower floors allows the riverfront to be better utilized, and helps connect it.

I remember passing by wedding parties and more; and it looked really cool. Because look, I LOVE Detroit's riverfront. But as far as constant buzz, with restaurants, activities, residents, and ship activity, there's notes we could take from them to make ours even better.

I think the progress we've made is great, but there's way more we could do with activations along the way.

This hotel will be directly connected to the largest convention center in the region, Huntington Place. That'll be a benefit for us getting better (and more) conventions and visitors in town.

There will also be 50,000 square feet of other programming, as a "instant neighborhood" rises tying this, The Residences at Water Square, nearby residential towers, and soon Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park.

On the most recent edition of the podcast, I was joined by Devon O'Reilly and Norris Howard for a discussion on this project, predictions for the next six months in the city (we think we're about the hit the accelerator with more money coming on the table), and a spirited discussion on the usefulness (and possibilities!) of the Detroit People Mover.

Come say hi! We're throwing a Happy Hour at The Royce Detroit by Grand Circus Park this Thursday, July 11! There's been so much interest we had to open up more spots.

Stop by from 4p-7p, we'll be on the second level. Enjoy wine (or your drink of choice) and let's chat. Learning what you all want to talk about is one of the fun parts of doing this. [Sign up on Eventbrite]

🗳️ Your voice counts! Our annual survey is out, and closes on Sunday. We'd love to hear from you about what you want more of with Daily Detroit. The response has been great (and constructive) and the more, the merrier.

🗞️ What to know

🛢️ Friends of the Rouge are urging Northville's mayor to investigate a June 21 oil spill at Northville Downs, where up to 85 gallons leaked into the Rouge River. [Detroit News]

Cleanup is ongoing, but FotR have concerns around the ecological impacts on fish and habitat projects. EGLE, who oversees the situation, says they saw no evidence of impacts on the river during recent heavy rains. Northville Downs is being demolished as part of a $300 million, 443 unit development.

🎨 Part of Detroit’s arts scene, created by Olayami Dabls, faces demolition after more than two decades due to structural issues. Located at Grand River and West Grand Boulevard, the building is a landmark part of Dabls African Bead Museum. Dabls has been seeking $400K for repairs and community support to save it; the city says it’s structurally unsound. [ClickOnDetroit] [Metro Times] [GoFundMe]

🏗️ The Gilbert Family Foundation is moving forward with a modular housing project in Detroit's North Corktown, despite resident concerns about build quality and costs. Nine parcels were purchased for the initiative, aiming to showcase manufactured housing as a viable, affordable option. [Crain's Detroit]

We had an in-depth conversation on this with Darnell Adams from the Gilbert Family Foundation on this project back in February, getting into ways to create affordable housing as building and land costs skyrocket. [Daily Detroit podcast]

⚡️ Eminem's new album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), comes out July 12. Two singles have been released, "Houdini" and "Tobey." Tobey includes a collab with Big Sean and Babytron. [Billboard] [Pitchfork]

p.s. - I'm looking for someone who has good insight (and is into) the music to talk to on the podcast after the album drops to get into it on the show. Email me, jer - at - dailydetroit - dot - com.

☕️ The MOCAD Cafe — inside the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit — is reopening this week. This was a great place to enjoy art, get caffeinated, and it was magical on days they opened their big garage door. You'll find it on Woodward in Detroit's Midtown. The hours mirror that of the museum. [Instagram] [MOCAD]

🍑 The long-teased Peach Cobbler Factory in downtown Detroit is having their grand opening tomorrow (Saturday). They've been doing soft service for awhile, as many restaurants do, to figure out processes and improve things - but this is the start of real operations. [Instagram]

It feels like I've seen the sign up at Broadway and Gratiot for forever and a day.

🪟 A new breakfast window is coming to and old favorite. The Old Shillelagh's window on Brush in Greektown will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 8a-2p, serving breakfast bowls, smoothies, and booze. [Freep] [Metro Times]

I love walk-up windows, and the idea they're going to do a bit of cleaner eating is attractive and kind of unique is a sea of coneys and burgers. It was the walk-up coffee window at Milwaukee Cafe that kept me (and my dog) sane during the pandemic. So I'll definitely give this a spin.

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I hope you have a great holiday weekend. We'll be back next week, and I'll have new episodes of the podcast on Monday.

Remember that you are somebody,

-Jer