Jer here! It's been a busy week. Let's hop into it and catch you up.
But first, thank you to everyone who stopped by our Happy Hour at The Royce yesterday! It was great to see you. Miss us, or want to meet up? We're already working on the next get together... and even maybe a live show?
As always, my comments are in italics; and if this is your first time here, consider signing up for future free notes.
📰 What to know
>> At least a pair of the four mid-sized towers on the GM Renaissance Center are probably coming down. On the Daily Detroit podcast, Devon outlines informed speculation that at least two of the four mid-size towers will meet the wrecking ball, for more green space and to connect Jefferson to the riverfront.
Here's the episode on YouTube, but you can also listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The center hotel tower seems to be doing well with more than 1,300 rooms, there's maybe enough office tenants for one tower, and there's the possibility of converting one of the towers to residential.
In reality, the costs of converting all the towers to residential would probably just be too high.
Older buildings with smaller floorplans make a lot more sense to turn over, and I think there's a growing realization that as the world has changed — and we will never need that much office space again.
I am personally torn on the RenCen.
Do I get it is an icon, probably one of the only buildings everyone in the area knows because most people who live in this region do not actually spend much time in the city, and when they do it's for drinks or a concert? Yes.
Did it also suck the life out of many downtown buildings when it was built, was designed as a fortress, and is still to this day pretty confusing to navigate? Yes.
- Of note, Joe Muer Seafood in the RenCen just underwent renovation. [Instagram]
- But most stores left are closing up shop, including most recently, a Potbelly.
>> Amazon has made a "six-figure" donation to install the long-delayed RoboCop statue somewhere in Eastern Market this year. [Detroit Free Press]
Of all the questions I get about Detroit, this is one of the most common: When will Robo finally appear?
I've seen and held parts of the statue myself so I know it's real. It's just been a question of that last little bit. It's crazy this has been a discussion for 13 years or so, but.. sometimes, things move real slow around here.
Until it happens all at once.
>> The plan for a city-style Target in Detroit's Midtown is dead. Developers say they're going to continue on with the 350 unit apartment building. [Crain's Detroit]
But as we say on the podcast (embedded above)... we're skeptical as this project has taken years to come together. We also debate where else a Target could go in the city of Detroit - east side? New Center? - And what suburban downtown it might just fit in as well.
>> Elephant & Co. is the latest venture by the team behind Eastern Market Brewing — and they're set to open their new Detroit location on Saturday, July 13.
The new spot will feature 50 self-serve taps with beers from EMBC, cider, wine, and a Dooped Donuts cafe with a robotic barista.
The menu focuses on Detroit-style pizza, offering unique options like coney-inspired and crab rangoon pizzas, alongside classics like Margherita and Spicy Pepperoni.
Partnerships with local favorites like McClure’s Pickles will help make a Maurice Salad that we’re going to have to try.
Located at 456 Charlotte in Detroit, the venue can host over 300 guests, split between indoor seating for 200 and a heated patio for 100.
The grand opening will run from 9a to 11p Saturday, featuring DJs, pizza, beer, and coffee. [Elephant & Co.]
>> The Reckmeyer apartment project in downtown Detroit is on track to break ground in September. The $38M project by Basco of Michigan will convert and expand three existing buildings on Broadway Street into a new nine-story residential building with 80 units. Construction will take about 18 months. [Crain's Detroit]
>> Supino in Eastern Market is officially back open after rebuilding from fire and smoke damage. [Supino]
>> Western Market in Ferndale is getting a new, more modern exterior look. [Western Market]
- The Detroit suburb of Ferndale was recently listed as one of "America's Best Place To Live." [Money]
>> How is philanthropy helping shape Detroit's future? I had a sit down with Donald Rencher, the head of the Hudson-Webber Foundation. We get into affordable housing, investing in neighborhoods so people want to live there, and more. [Apple Podcasts]
🙌 Help out?
Talking with a reader the other day, I realized that they didn't know that Daily Detroit was ours. No, this isn't just a "job," I don't have a giant conglomerate helping pay the bills.
This is our thing, created here, owned here and based here in Detroit.
That's super rare in media nowadays, but to make that rarity happen, we really need your support.
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☕️ Or, buy me a coffee or two. It's our readers and listeners that keep Daily Detroit going.
Remember that you are somebody,
-Jer