A ritual of regional togetherness is no more. The annual “Big Four” gathering of the Detroit Mayor and the three county executives from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb will not happen this year around the North American International Auto Show. (Oakland Press) The Seller-Lehrer Family Foundation, founded by Detroit native and Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller and his partner Josh Lehrer, has given the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit a $1 million grant. It’ll fund their Summer Camp and Mosaic Experience...
Jan 04, 2019•11 min•Ep. 185
Happy New Year! We've made it to season 2! On to the stories: Detroit Police James Craig told the Detroit News on Tuesday there were 261 criminal homicides in 2018 . That’s down six from last year and the lowest number since 1966. But for now, we’re going to put an asterisk on this statistic. We talk about why. We don’t often wade into U.S.-Russia relations on Daily Detroit, but we are today. That’s because Russia’s Federal Security Service says it has arrested a man from Novi who’s being accuse...
Jan 03, 2019•20 min•Ep. 184
The end of the year is fast approaching, and Daily Detroit is starting to look back at this crazy year, which was an eventful one for the city. On today's episode, our Man About Town, Devon O'Reilly , joins us in the studio to discuss his favorite bars and restaurants that swung open their doors in 2018. We talk about new bars like the Keisling and Lost River, plus restaurants including Empire, Urban Ramen and Bakersfield. We run down a few places that closed down in 2018, and we also look forwa...
Dec 20, 2018•30 min•Ep. 183
The Empowerment Plan is a great nonprofit organization that provides jobs to homeless women making coats that double as sleeping bags and are distributed to other homeless people. The women, in turn, get a chance to find permanent housing and a new start on life. Now, the program is expanding. Daily Detroit's Shianne Nocerini went down to Empowerment Plan's Islandview headquarters to speak with founder Veronika Scott. Elsewhere, we discuss the news of layoffs at General Motors' Detroit-Hamtramck...
Dec 19, 2018•12 min•Ep. 182
Developers on Monday took the wraps off the redeveloped Metropolitan Building, which will re-open soon as the 110-room Element Hotel by Westin after four decades of abandonment. As Dan Austin of HistoricDetroit.org tells us, she's a "real looker" of a building, with a triangle-shaped footprint and terra cotta tiles adorning its impressive facade. But the Metropolitan survived several scrapes with demolition over the years — plus an effort to decontaminate it of radioactive elements back in the '...
Dec 18, 2018•25 min•Ep. 181
It's Monday, Dec. 17 in the mystical land known as Detroit. Here's what you get when you listen to your beloved Daily Detroit podcast today: Lincoln has made good on its pledge to reintroduce suicide doors on the Continental luxury sedan. The 80th Anniversary Coach Door Edition is an homage to the first Continental introduced in 1939 and to the center-opening doors that graced the car during the 1960s. Just 80 examples will be made for 2019. Elsewhere, unpredictable winter weather continues to d...
Dec 17, 2018•12 min•Ep. 180
The big news around Detroit today is the groundbreaking on the Monroe Block. That's the two-block site adjacent to Campus Martius where Dan Gilbert and Bedrock plan an $830 million development to add 1.4 million square feet of housing, office, retail and public space. On today's podcast, we discuss the Monroe Block's colorful history as a theater district, its mostly moribund present and its potentially very exciting future. Gilbert, through Bedrock Detroit, plans to build two new towers — a 35-...
Dec 13, 2018•15 min•Ep. 178
On today's show: In Michigan, drug overdoses kill more people than traffic and gun deaths combined. Nearly 2,700 people died from overdoses in 2017, and more than 1,900 of those deaths were because of opioids. But there's a new coalition that's been put together fund treating this problem. Michigan is beating Ohio.. this time for getting a headquarters of a company to move here. In downtown Detroit, the Green Room Salad Bar says it’s found a new home after being evicted from the Ford Building on...
Dec 13, 2018•11 min•Ep. 177
It's a sad day for Detroiters who were fan of the TV show of the same name. Comedy Central today opted against bringing the buddy comedy "Detroiters" back for a third season, co-star Sam Richardson announced via Twitter. On today's show, we wax nostalgic about the beloved but short-lived show. Jer speaks with David Demuth, president and CEO of Southfield-based Doner, the real-life ad agency that was the arch-nemesis of the show's fictional Cramblin Duvet advertising firm. How'd the show settle o...
Dec 12, 2018•14 min•Ep. 176
Happy Monday, worker drones! On today's show: Detroit's Strategic Neighborhood Fund gets a $35 million infusion from seven companies in what's said to be the largest corporate donation to Detroit neighborhoods, ever. The city will splash the cash in seven new east- and westside neighborhoods to strengthen housing and commercial districts. It's part of Mayor Duggan's "20-minute neighborhoods" initiative, which aims to redevelop neighborhoods into places where residents can walk or bike to do thei...
Dec 10, 2018•21 min•Ep. 175
On the show: Michigan is the first state in the midwest and the tenth nationally to legalize recreational marijuana. The ballot measure passed last month with almost 56 percent of the vote, and it became official law today. There are few key things you need to know before you roll. Detroit’s Town Pump - a long-standing drinking establishment - is moving across the street. Their "one last pump" party is this January. Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2216700125236311/ This one is just breakin...
Dec 06, 2018•10 min•Ep. 174
There are a lot of people doing good work in Detroit. Folks that put their shoulder to the wheel and are making things happen and making the community better. But often, those folks don't get as much recognition. That's why Ryan Landau and Re:Purpose, a Detroit-based firm, started the Purpose Awards. Ryan joins us on the show to to talk about them, why he's doing it, and who should apply (there are also some great prizes, too. Who wouldn't want a stay at the Foundation Hotel?) If you want to get...
Dec 05, 2018•13 min•Ep. 173
On today's show: Jer was back at Michigan Central Station today and checked in on the progress of the restoration and renovation as phase one kicks off. The Michigan Legislature is taking up a set of controversial bills, most with the aim of blunting the voice of voters, watering down successful ballot initiatives and taking power away from the incoming Democrats. The Fillmore is getting a new marquee and it's the talk of the town, and maybe for not the right reasons. Sven adds history and conte...
Dec 04, 2018•20 min•Ep. 172
In a very special episode of the podcast recorded on Noel Night at the Podcast Detroit studios in the Detroit Shipping Company, we run down the Detroit contributions to the L.A. Auto Show and an electric car company that emerged from obscurity to being the focus of all the buzz. Jeep made a major splash with their new Gladiator, Rivian turned heads with their vehicles and Sven, Nuri, Randy and the team break down some of the major changes ahead for the economy due to electrification, including t...
Dec 03, 2018•21 min•Ep. 171
Big fancy towers downtown get all the press, but today we take you to Detroit's North End neighborhood and check out a revitalization project on John R between Kenilworth and Westminster. There was $100,000 of exterior work on the building they are in and the streetscape they're located on. The before and after pictures are in one word, unbelievable. We have those photos up on the Daily Detroit website. If you like what we're doing, consider supporting our work. http://www.patreon.com/dailydetro...
Nov 30, 2018•8 min•Ep. 170
On today's show, we talk about the news that Hard Rock closed. Also, the bike share service MoGo shared a new report of ridership and usage. The Winter Blast is expanding and has a new sponsor. Shianne has all the details. And, two Detroit area restaurants get nods from Esquire magazine for being among the best new restaurants in America. Congrats to Voyager and Lady of the House. This show was recorded on November 28, 2018. Reminder: Our live show is on Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Detroit Shippin...
Nov 29, 2018•12 min•Ep. 169
On today's show: President Trump is taking aim at GM's electric car incentives that were going to sunset anyway Ford's incentives for their $740 million Corktown campus are approved Shield's is opening in Midtown - https://www.metrotimes.com/table-and-bar/archives/2018/11/26/detroit-style-pizza-maker-shields-is-opening-a-midtown-location The historic building that until recently was home to Cheli's Chili Bar was sold to the Ilitches Detroit's getting a new Welcome Center And Shianne Nocerini giv...
Nov 27, 2018•16 min•Ep. 168
General Motors dropped a bomb on Monday, saying it will likely close three assembly plants including Detroit-Hamtramck in a pre-emptive move to cut costs and headcount ahead of an expected downturn. The moves mean the elimination of as many as 14,000 jobs — including 1,500 at Detroit-Hamtramck — and the elimination of slow-selling sedans like the Chevrolet Volt and Impala and the Buick LaCrosse. A transmission plant in Warren could also close. It's a particularly dubious cap to the saga of the P...
Nov 27, 2018•28 min•Ep. 167
Detroit will get a professional soccer team, but in a different way than many expected. No, Major League Soccer isn’t coming to Detroit — not yet anyway — despite the efforts of Dan Gilbert and Pistons owner Tom Gores. Instead, the popular semi-pro club Detroit City FC has announced it will join a new pro league called the NPSL Founders Cup. What does that mean for the team? The players? And what exactly is happening? To sort that out, soccer journalist and Daily Detroit contributor Fletcher Sha...
Nov 21, 2018•17 min•Ep. 166
Dan Gilbert made headlines this week when he issued an ultimatum to state lawmakers: Find a fix for Michigan's broken no-fault auto insurance system by mid-2019 or I'll bankroll an effort to put a proposal on the statewide ballot in 2020. On today's show, Jer interviews Jared Fleisher, vice president of government relations for the Quicken Loans Family of Companies, about why Gilbert and Quicken are jumping into the fray. Fleisher, who is running point for Gilbert's push to overhaul no-fault, sa...
Nov 21, 2018•20 min•Ep. 165
There's a lot of competition between Metro Detroit area downtowns lately. Detroit, Ferndale, Royal Oak and others are aiming for shoppers, diners and residents as urban centers and more dense living and shopping are now the hot thing not just here but across America. For a time, Royal Oak was one of few downtown destinations in our area. Now, they've launched an ad and marketing campaign to get their share. That campaign is by Factory, an ad agency headed by Mark Lantz in downtown Detroit. Sven ...
Nov 20, 2018•19 min•Ep. 164
Devon O'Reilly , international man of intrigue, is Daily Detroit's Man About Town . He joins us today for a week-ending episode devoted to the things that truly matter: Where to eat, what to drink and where are the best place around town to broadcast your every waking moment to the world on Instagram. O'Reilly gives us the lowdown on Besa , one of Detroit's newest restaurants. It just opened for business inside the refurbished Vinton Building, with a killer wine list, a raw bar and a dish that f...
Nov 15, 2018•28 min•Ep. 163
Your show for November 14, 2018: Greektown Casino will be sold to Penn National. Dan Gilbert's going to take the cash and invest in more Detroit properties. Two popular art pieces - one by Shepard Fairey, the other How & Nosm - on the side of a downtown building will be covered as part of an expansion. The iconic Cadieux Cafe changes hands. We hear there still will be featherbowling. Al Ameer gets Eater's nod again as one of the best restaurants in America, and the only Michigan entrant Atwa...
Nov 14, 2018•10 min•Ep. 162
Today we do a deep dive into a corner of Detroit. One that's making board games. Jer's guest is Nemo Rathwald. He's the designer and creator of the board game Overworld, a recently successfully funded and delivered Kickstarter project. What does it take to get your project successfully crowdfunded? What are some tips Nemo has for Kickstarter? And why is Michigan great ground to make board games? Enjoy the interview. Links: Overworld Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/magicmeeplega...
Nov 14, 2018•25 min•Ep. 161
Welcome to the work week, automatons! Here's what to know: 1. We talk about the report Moody's Investors Services released on Detroit, which essentially asks where's the love (and money) for the neighborhoods. 2. Some development news: In Ferndale, craft beer retailer 8 Degrees Plato says it will close it store on Nine Mile by the end of the year. The beer will continue to flow at the Cass Corridor location, however. 3. In Northville, there's a battle brewing over the proposed demolition of a hi...
Nov 12, 2018•22 min•Ep. 160
On November 8, 2018: Ford made news today by buying Spin, an e-scooter mobility company. Jer head to the Ford World Headquarters to talk with the VP of Ford X, Sunny Madra, about the purchase and what they plan to do with the service. And, it's beginning service in Detroit. Plum Market is opening in downtown Detroit ( More here ). Karen Dybis talk with Sven about the Knight Arts Challenge Grants. She's a winner for her project to chronicle Detroit's vanishing Delray neighborhood. Then, we chat a...
Nov 08, 2018•16 min•Ep. 159
It was a big Election Day here in Michigan, where the much-discussed "blue wave" helped sweep Democrats — all of them women — into the top statewide elected offices. A fourth, Debbie Stabenow, survived a closer-than-expected battle to win re-election to the U.S. Senate. We're devoting today's episode 100 percent to post-election results and analysis. Occasional host and Daily Detroit spirits advisor Nuri Gocay joins Jer and I to break down the results. He also talks about his experience shuttlin...
Nov 07, 2018•38 min•Ep. 158
Happy Election Day, Detroit! On today's show, we run down some news about long lines and voting machine hiccups across the region. Reports of long lines are widespread. Elsewhere, Amazon HQ2 is said to be headed to the New York City and Washington D.C. areas as a split second headquarters. That's given critics plenty of fodder, as we discuss. Remember when Detroit and Windsor joined forces to bid on HQ2? We had a great Happy Hour episode breaking down our fair city's failure to crack the top 20 ...
Nov 06, 2018•13 min•Ep. 157
Welcome to Monday, friends. Here's your Daily Detroit for Nov. 5: The workers strike at the Westin Book Cadillac hotel is over, as the Unite Here union announces a settlement and a new contract. GM has rolled out e-bikes as part of its focus on mobility and cracking urban mobility markets. But it wants help from the public in coming up with a brand name . Beaumont Health and Universal Health Services will open a $40 million, 150-bed inpatient mental health hospital in Dearborn. An oil spill foul...
Nov 05, 2018•11 min•Ep. 156
On today's edition of your Daily Detroit podcast, the team goes deep on the major statewide races and ballot issues that will appear on next week's Nov. 6 ballot. We're not making newspaper-style "endorsements," just breaking down each race and, yes, divulging who we're voting for. And agree or disagree all you want — just so long as you get out and cast your vote . It's the best way to preserve our fragile democracy. Also on today's show: The John and James L. Knight Foundation drops another $2...
Nov 02, 2018•30 min•Ep. 155
