RoboCop to Eastern Market?; Two Detroit food businesses expanding; District Detroit takes a step forward
Hello from the Garden Theater at CreatorCon in Detroit
Hey friends,
Hello from the Garden Theater in Midtown, Detroit where I’m visiting the first-ever CreatorCon Detroit. It feels good for me to be out and with people, and it’s a cool venue.
Rehabbed about a decade ago, The C. Howard Crane-designed structure on Woodward is part of a historic block that now houses a number of businesses.
Before we get into the stories, two things. One, my analysis with headlines is in italics. Two, if you haven’t gotten our newsletter before, sign up free below:
📰 What to know
» It looks like the 11 foot tall RoboCop statue is going to Eastern Market. [Crain’s Detroit]
Over the last eleven years that this has been a thing, the status of this statue is one of the most-asked questions I get from listeners, so I had to share this update.
Having held sections of this bronze statue in my own hands, it’s an amazing piece of work. My dad was an artist and a sculptor — so obviously, I’m a bit biased. Whatever you think of the statue as an idea, it’s going to be one of the most Instagrammed and TikTokked things in Metro Detroit. There have been a couple draft locations, including outside of Michigan Central and the Michigan Science Center.
» There’s a step forward in the District Detroit development near Little Caesars Arena. The community benefits process is starting on four residential projects with nearly 700 units, four office projects and two possible hotels. More details at the link, including when the first public meeting is at the end of this month. [Urbanize Detroit]
Once Detroit-born billionaire Stephen Ross and the University of Michigan got on this, I had a feeling things would start to move.
» A number of local hospitals are bleeding financial red ink. [Free Press]
» There’s harrowing video of a Cadillac crashing into a DDOT bus on Rosa Parks Boulevard. It’s raising questions about if the busy one-way road should get a streetlight or other improvements. [Fox 2]
I used to stay a few blocks from this spot in North Corktown. Often, along Temple there are lost patrons of the Motor City Casino — and Rosa Parks (12th) is often used by semi trucks and buses because it’s one-way and wide. As Ford’s Michigan Central gets close to opening and more homes get built in the immediate area, it might time to look at putting back the streetlight that the city took out 20 years ago. For their part, the city doesn’t think there needs to be a light and may put speed bumps on Temple. If there’s one constant in a dynamic city, it’s change.
» The Detroit Public Schools are getting a surprise $20 million from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott. [Mackenize Scott on Medium] [Crain’s Detroit]
» Chronic absenteeism is a growing problem at the Detroit Public Schools and school districts around Michigan since COVID. [Chalkbeat]
» The AMC Theaters are closing up shop at Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn. [Freep]
That 21-screen complex reportedly hasn’t been renovated since 1999. Woof. Good to hear everyone working there have been offered jobs at other location.
» Reality show Love is Blind is casting for their third season in Detroit. The application has 69 relationship-related questions. [Instagram] [Casting application]
🌯 News bites
» The Kitchen by Cooking with Que is expanding to a second location near Livernois and Seven Mile. It’s a multi-faceted food business serving lunch, a rental kitchen, classes, meal prep service and more. Owner Quiana “Que” Broden has made a name for herself, and her goal of expanding beyond the kitchen on Woodward just south of Grand Boulevard is to focus on, she says, good food in every neighborhood. The exact spot hasn’t been shared.
» Flood’s is working on a second location and a new seasonal patio at their downtown Detroit address. Flood’s is one of the long-standing black-owned pillars of the entertainment scene in Detroit. Co-owner Stephanie Byrd revealed the information today at CreatorCon.
The food business in general has been undergoing some big challenges, including far higher costs during COVID. Ali Saad, who owns Starter’s with three locations, said on stage that a case of lettuce has gone from $15 to $100. Along those lines — one Canton restaurant, Antonios, is taking salads off their menu.
» The new Detroit Soul location at East Jefferson and Lakewood is holding their community preview of the restaurant this Friday, November 18. Detroit Soul has another location on 8 Mile, just east of Dequindre. [Jefferson East]
» Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening up a third Metro Detroit location in Warren. [Metro Times]
When the Dearborn location opened recently, lines were out the door for it.
» Pumachug in Clawson is closing. [Downtown Clawson]
🎧 On the podcast
» Detroit’s holiday market by Campus Martius and Midway on Monroe are ready for action. So I had to go get a little preview.
» Despite the high-profile openings of Rivertown Market by Meijer and Whole Foods, the number of full-service grocery stores is on the decline in the city. We dig into why and what could be done with Amy Kuras of the Detroit Food Policy Council.
» Should the Detroit Lions replace their turf? Is there a chance of the playoffs for the team? What about in local college basketball - how are Emoni Bates and Antoine Davis doing? And of course, a little off-season Detroit City FC talk. Fletcher Sharpe joins me to talk sports.
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And we’re done for today. Thanks so much for reading. Remember that you are somebody, and I’ll see you around Detroit.
-Jer
Hey Jer! How about Robocop on the riverfront?