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Axios Detroit
Duggan to target junk cars, solar farms in State of the City address
Mayor Mike Duggan chose a smaller venue to deliver his State of the City address this year.Why it matters: Recent locations for the mayor's annual speech have highlighted huge projects, like Michigan Central Station and General Motors' Factory Zero plant, Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison tells Axios.But this year's event at the west-side Dexter Avenue Baptist Church will emphasize progress in neighborhoods that "doesn't always come, necessarily, from huge developments," he says.Between the lines: In the address, Duggan plans to go deep on the city's solar farm installation program, detail plans to remove abandoned junk cars and spotlight new businesses in Dexter-Linwood, Bettison says.How to watch: The event can be streamed Wednesday on the city's website, Facebook or YouTube starting at 6:30pm. The speech starts at 7pm.It'll also be on TV on Channel 21 (Comcast) and Channel 99 (AT&T).Sign up for Axios Detroit for free.
General Motors to leave RenCen headquarters
General Motors plans to leave its RenCen world headquarters for Dan Gilbert's under-construction Hudson's Detroit development in 2025.Why it matters: GM's departure to a more modern space shakes up the downtown real estate landscape and raises long-term questions about the RenCen's future.The move is another example of corporations overhauling their real estate as hybrid work becomes more common in the wake of COVID-19.The big picture: The automaker will collaborate with the county, city and Bedrock, Gilbert's real estate arm, on how to redevelop the RenCen — a 5.5-million-square-foot behemoth complex of seven buildings with hotel and office space.Its "next chapter"...
U.S. Census revamped to better count Middle Eastern groups
Arab American community leaders are celebrating a new federal rule to more accurately count people with Middle Eastern and North African heritage.The big picture: The U.S. Census and other federal forms will now offer a choice of "Middle Eastern or North African" (MENA) when asking about race and ethnicity.Previously, any MENA respondents were classified under the white racial category.Why it matters: Critics have long said the government's approach to asking about people's race or ethnicity is confusing or misrepresentative — and the stakes are huge when it comes to the distribution of billions in federal funds for health, education and...
Explaining the Hudson's trademark journey
Bedrock announced the historic name Hudson's as the official moniker for its Woodward Avenue development on Friday, but its trademark application is still in limbo.Why it matters: Observers were pretty sure the highly anticipated $1.4 billion tower on the iconic old department store site downtown would incorporate Hudson's into its official name.But the application that Bedrock, Dan Gilbert's real estate arm, made to federally register the "Hudson's Detroit" trademark was suspended.However, that doesn't mean Bedrock can't use it. We're here to explain the complex trademark process at play, considering the news of the development getting its official name.Catch up quick:...
Mat Ishbia's mortgage empire sued over fees
Mat Ishbia's mortgage empire in Metro Detroit is the focus of a federal lawsuit alleging that borrowers nationwide paid inflated fees.Why it matters: The lawsuit accuses Ishbia and his Pontiac-based company, United Wholesale Mortgage, of drumming up business by misleading borrowers into thinking their mortgage brokers would be shopping for the best deal.Instead, the business model allegedly funneled thousands of borrowers to UWM, which then charged excessive fees that could amount to billions of dollars.The big picture: Ishbia, a former walk-on to Michigan State's national champion basketball team, has led UWM to the top of the mortgage industry with divisive...
Midnight Temple's late-night biryani checks out
Hey, it's Sam. Been to Midnight Temple yet?The intrigue: The gastropub at Eastern Market serves halal Indian staples like samosas and fried manchurian while offering local DJs a venue to play music.That dynamic makes for an interesting scene on Thursday nights when the restaurant goes from an eatery to a club after 10pm.State of play: Walk upstairs and you'll find all types of people seated inside the dimly lit dining room and bar, from 20-somethings waiting for their friends' DJ set to Muslim families here for an iftar meal during Ramadan.Dig in: I ordered the chicken biryani with medium heat ($15) and it was great. But if you're not sensitive to spiciness, I'd go with hot. The heaping portion of mixed rice, vegetables and chicken is enough to share or take the rest home.Warm it up in the microwave for lunch the next day!If you go: 2466 Riopelle St.Open until midnight every day except Monday. Full hours here.Sign up for Axios Detroit for free.
Detroit closes riverfront park due to soil contamination
The west half of AB Ford Park on Detroit's riverfront has been on lockdown for a renovation and environmental cleanup, while the other side remained accessible until just recently.Why it matters: Environmental testing at the park revealed soil contaminated with arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury, per an engineering consultant report prepared for the city Feb. 5.While the soil sampling concentrated on the fully fenced west side of the park, the east side likely has similar contamination, per the report.Some nearby residents find the city's handling of the contamination concerning, as Metro Times has delved into, while others feel there's little...
Detroit's Belle Isle Beach gets trash cleanup robot
Don't expect this robot to gain sentience and challenge the human race anytime soon — it just wants to pick up trash.Why it matters: To help control waste buildup along Belle Isle Beach, Detroit announced a new trash removal robot, the BeBot, that will patrol starting on Earth Day, April 22.How it works: The electric-powered, remote-controlled, beach-sifting robot can remove the usual litter, as well as smaller plastic pieces 1 cm or larger.It will also collect data on how plastic pollution travels the island and river.It's part of the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup campaign, looking to address about 10,000 tons...
Detroit's homeless service providers prepare for NFL Draft
People experiencing homelessness will undoubtedly be impacted when the NFL Draft takes up 2 million square feet downtown later this month.The big picture: Detroit was criticized for trying to "hide the homeless to make Detroit more attractive" for the 2006 Super Bowl, as the Washington Post put it.State of play: Pope Francis Center executive director William Kangas tells Axios he's anticipating the possibility of fewer services being available for those experiencing homelessness downtown during the draft, so the center is trying to do more.The center, at 438 Saint Antoine St., plans to stay open longer and offer a third meal.It's...
How Detroit viewed the eclipse from the riverfront
Hundreds of people posted up around Cullen Plaza on the riverwalk Tuesday to watch the sun shrink to a tiny sliver at 3:14pm.State of play: The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy hosted a viewing party there, handing out 600 pairs of free eclipse glasses and 1,000 eclipse-themed snacks — Sun Chips and Moon Pies. Viewing party attendees choose Sun Chips or Moon Pies as their eclipse-themed snacks. Between the lines: The riverfront landscape offered wide, picturesque views of the darkening sky on a clear day.Onlookers in chairs, on blankets and sitting on curbs gabbed with neighbors they'd never met about the eerie...
Total solar eclipse: How and when to watch in Detroit
Data: NASA; Map: Erin Davis/Axios VisualsEclipse watchers will have to travel to Monroe County for Monday afternoon's total solar eclipse, but those who stay in town can join the fun, too.Yes, but: Potential cloud cover could obscure the view.Monday's forecast called for clouds, but an incoming dry slot could clear the skies to see some of the eclipse, according to the National Weather Service.What to expect: Detroit will see a partial eclipse between 2:41pm and 3:46pm, per NASA, with max coverage of 99.2% at 3:14pm.Use eclipse glasses or other proper eyewear to catch the action.Sign up for Axios Detroit for free.
Felt artist Mandisa Smith exhibits abstract, history-woven pieces
A nationally known Detroit textile artist has work on display at Wayne County Community College District that uses an ancient, laborious technique.The big picture: Mandisa Smith's "The Art of Felting" is on display through April 26 at the college's Northwest campus.Her work ranges from wearable items to abstract pieces using the in-depth, multistep process of wet felting, alongside found objects, bringing a "sense of history and emotion," per a news release. Mandisa Smith. Photo: Jamie Feldman, courtesy of Wayne County Community College DistrictFlashback: Smith learned from expert felters from the Netherlands, Ireland, Japan and elsewhere, the release says. Before transitioning...
Great Lakes ports could get a boost as supply chains diversify
The fallout from Baltimore's deadly bridge collapse could result in more business for local ports.The big picture: The Port of Baltimore leads the nation for automobile shipments and handled 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo worth nearly $81 billion in 2023, the Washington Post reports.While recovery efforts for the bodies of four construction workers continue, the disaster has also disrupted supply chains across the country.Driving the news: Great Lakes ports can be viable long-term alternatives to East Coast ports, port officials in Detroit and Monroe tell Axios, as shipping companies and manufacturers consider diversifying their supply chains to handle such...
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