Hey friends, it's Jer. Hope you're having a good weekend. Let's get into 12 things to know around town.
As always, my thoughts are in italics and if this is your first time here sign up for future notes free.
📰 What to know
💰 Will Smith, ex-CFO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, pleaded guilty Friday to wire fraud and money laundering charges. Smith admitted to embezzling more than $40 million from the nonprofit between 2012 and 2024, using elaborate schemes to divert funds to personal accounts. Smith has agreed to pay $44.3 million in restitution. [ClickOnDetroit] [Fox 2] [Detroit News]
🛑 Another ~1,000 people being laid off at General Motors, with more than 500 reportedly at the Warren Tech Center in Metro Detroit. Some areas cut include aftersales engineering, engineering operations, manufacturing engineering and sales operations. This is on top of a previous round of cuts around software and services. [Detroit News] [Reuters]
🏗️ Bedrock, a major real estate firm owned by Dan Gilbert, announced plans for “The Belle.” It’s a new mixed-use development in downtown Detroit's Paradise Valley.
Set to open in 2026, the project will have 42 residential units and 8,000 square feet of retail space. 80% of the development will be market rate, with 20% set to affordable (aimed at the region’s median income).
Right next door on Broadway, the nine-story Reckmeyer is underway. It broke ground last month. [Urbanize Detroit]
Opened in 1926, the ground floor was the retail showroom for the American Radiator Company and has sat mostly vacant since the 90's. [Historic Detroit]
If there’s an island in the kitchen of these new apartments, is that a Belle… Isle? I’ll see myself out.
Devon, Norris and Jer talk about Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's term as mayor (and what the city needs next) on the Daily Detroit podcast
🏢 Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced in an auditorium full of city employees that he's not running for another term. On an episode of our Daily Detroit podcast, we focused on his legacy as mayor and the kinds of qualities we're looking for in the city's next leader. Watch in the player above. [Daily Detroit]
🚍 A new bill could make 17 Wayne County communities participate in a regional transit tax (that current opt-out), potentially improving public transportation access. The bill, which has passed a House committee, would eliminate the ability for these communities to opt out of the 0.95-mill property tax that funds the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART). Supporters argue this would create a more cohesive transit system, while opponents claim it infringes on local control. [Crain's Detroit]
My two cents: Opting out on services that should be county-wide is functionally insane, in my opinion. It is a true curse of geography that Metro Detroit is centralized across three counties, as it makes cooperation very difficult. Both Oakland and Macomb County are all-in when it comes to transit support through SMART.
🔭 Spotted
✋ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was a guest on this week's taping of the hit National Public Radio show, "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me." Recorded in Detroit Thursday night at the Fox Theatre. The episode is online now.
🥃 Stopped in to Detroit City Distillery for the Detroit Consumer Packaged Goods Founders + Funders Meetup on Wednesday. It was good to get to know a number of the people creating interesting and tasty things here in Metro Detroit. It was put together by Brand:Detroit and The Angel Group, both who are making moves by building and funding projects locally.
I love Faygo, Better Made chips and coneys. But there is so much more to Detroit's food scene than that — and some of it is already in stores, stalls and shops around the country.
🗓️ Where to go
🦉 People who know me know that I like birds. I often use what I call "Shazam for bird calls," or the Merlin Bird ID app when I'm running around town. If you love birds too, let your avian knowledge take flight at Bird Brain Trivia to benefit the Detroit Bird Alliance. This coming Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Brewery Faison on Detroit's east side. [Tickets]
🎨 Next week is the Royal Oak Market: Art Fair Edition. Produced by The Guild of Artists and Artisans, it's in Downtown Royal Oak at the Farmer's Market and will have 60 artists, live music, various adult beverages, and more.
Now in their ninth year, it'll be Thursday, Nov. 21 and Friday, Nov. 22. Free, and syncs up with the tree lighting. [More Info]
🎄 Noel Night returns to Detroit's Midtown for their 50th year on Saturday, December 7, 2024.
I've been going to Noel Night off and on for as long as I've been alive, and it's one of my favorite free events of the year.
The daytime programming in the Cultural Center runs from 11a-5p, and the night time events in Midtown go from 5p-9p so whatever your vibe or schedule, there's something for you. [More info]
🎧 On the podcast
🏈 Fletcher Sharpe joined me to talk about how the Lions came back to win against the Texans, the leg of Jake Bates, look to the Jaguars game this weekend — and discuss if the Detroit Lions are now truly America's team. [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify]
💼 Do you have the blues at work? Feeling overwhelmed? Or looking for that next job? Brandi Thee Millennial Manager stopped by our Daily Detroit studio for a conversation on how to get the job, resume tips, and the success of her social media channels and podcast that have resonated with many people because of her real advice. [On Apple Podcasts]
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After all, the power of Detroit is in our people.
Until next time, remember that you are somebody... and I'll see you around Detroit.
-Jer
