Hey friends, Jer here.
One of the common themes of covering Metro Detroit and Michigan for the last 20+ years like I have is "how are we going to grow more startups and technology companies here?"
The area has made strides, diversifying a bit from automotive to include industries like mortgages. But we deal with a lot of the same issues that cities that aren't Seattle, Silicon Valley, New York City or Toronto do... a lack of momentum and gravity.
Our issues aren't unique, but they are addressable.
One of the shoot of progress is in the Gilbert family of companies. Where winners bet on future winners, knowing most of them are going to lose. Because that's the game. Another challenge, lifting up and connecting the tech community, is being worked on by groups like Black Tech Saturdays.
You have to not only be willing to take risks, but have the surplus dollars to chance it when it comes to creating the next big thing (or a series of smaller things).
You can't conform. You really need to do the weird thing to make it.
My conversation on the Tuesday edition of the podcast was with investor, entrepreneur and Techmeme Ride Home podcast host Brian McCullough. I think it was a good one, and it's not just words from on high — he has lived in Michigan and helped build many companies.
Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify | Read the Q&A on Daily Detroit
Let's get to the rest of the stories. My analysis as always is in italics. And if this is your first time here, be sure to sign up for future notes, free.
📰 What to know
🧱 A historic Detroit school will turn into affordable housing. On Tuesday, Detroit officials and community members celebrated the start of a new chapter for the William E. Higginbotham School. Built in 1926, the historic building is set to become the Higginbotham Art Residences, offering 100 units of affordable housing in the Eight-Mile-Wyoming neighborhood.
If you don't know, that's between Wyoming and Livernois, just south of 8 Mile with easy access to both the Avenue of Fashion and Ferndale.
Key highlights of the $35.9 million project include:
- Preservation of a culturally significant building that once served as an all-Black elementary school
- Creation of 100 affordable housing units for households earning 30-80% of the Area Median Income
- Art spaces, including an outdoor sculpture garden featuring works by local Detroit artists
- Development of community spaces for nonprofit organizations
The project is a collaborative effort involving URGE Development Group, Cinnaire, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), and the City of Detroit. It's funded through a combination of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, MSHDA funding, and City ARPA funds.
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Mayor Mike Duggan both emphasized the project's importance in addressing Detroit's housing needs while honoring its cultural heritage.
The Higginbotham Art Residences could be a model for future developments that bring together affordable housing, historic preservation, and community engagement.
✏️ Michigan lawmakers are advancing a package of bills aimed at increasing financial transparency for charter schools. The legislation would require for-profit management companies to disclose detailed financial information and stop them from selling or leasing properties to the schools they operate. Supporters say these measures will ensure taxpayer money is properly used for education, while opponents claim it would hamper school choice. [Chalkbeat Detroit]
🏞️ Oakland County Parks Drop Entry Fees After Millage Vote: On the heels of a successful millage vote, Oakland County Parks have eliminated general entry fees and vehicle permits. The move opens up more than 7,000 acres of parkland for free exploration, though fees for specific activities like golfing and camping remain. This change, effective immediately, looks to increase accessibility to outdoor recreation for county residents. The parks system plans to use the new funding for major improvements and expansions, including enhanced trail systems and river access. [Oakland County Times]
🏘️ The historic Ossian H. Sweet House in Detroit will open as a museum next fall, following a $226,952 grant for renovations. The home on Garland will showcase the story of Dr. Ossian Sweet, a Black physician who faced violent opposition when moving into an all-white neighborhood. The museum aims to educate visitors on the racial tensions of the 1920s era and the ongoing struggle for housing equality. [Detroit News]
If you want to know more about the Dr. Sweet story, above you'll find a mini-doc that sheds some light. Note that this video was made days before the pandemic started in 2020, so some of the details for the future plans have obviously changed to what you see today.
🏟️ The United Shore Professional Baseball League is stepping up to the plate with plans for a $5 million mixed-use development next to Jimmy John's Field in Utica. The 10,500-square-foot project will be home to the league's new headquarters and feature a gourmet hot dog restaurant named after the league's beloved "bat dog." With a $400,000 environmental grant in hand, the USPBL aims to transform a former landfill site into a year-round destination. [Crain's Detroit Business]
We talked about this story more on the Monday edition of the Daily Detroit podcast, along with the issues smaller schools are having with NIL deals and the Lions victory.
🏗️ A new mixed-use residential project, The Beauton, opened in Detroit's North End. It will bring more affordable housing to the neighborhood. [Urbanize Detroit]
📸 Photo to go
Here's a check-in on the current state of the University of Michigan Innovation Center. The $250 million, six-story, 200,000 square foot building will have graduate programs and education programs for people who might not have gone to college but are looking to get new skills. It will be ready in 2027. [More video on Instagram]
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Until next time, remember that you are somebody - and I'll see you around Detroit.
-Jer