Daily Detroit

If you like listening to people eating telling stories over a box of paczki, this episode is for you. Because it's Fat Tuesday, and that can only mean two things here in Detroit: jelly-filled paczki and drinking.

We also discuss an interesting report in the Freep that looks at Amtrak ridership in Michigan. Turns out, we have the worst on-time rates of any state that Amtrak serves, just 33%. And keep in mind, Amtrak defines "on-time" as anything within 29 minutes of the scheduled arrival. Amtrak is up for its five-year funding this year and wants supporters to contact its representatives in Congress to help with a fix.

Also on the show, we talk about Mayor Mike Duggan's proposal to require that half of all recreational marijuana licenses awarded in Detroit go to city residents. The City Council has enacted a temporary ban on awarding licenses through March 31 while they develop an ordinance aimed at giving city residents more of a shot at cashing in on the new legal weed industry. We discuss.

And finally, paczki, along with stories of braving long lines outside Polish bakeries in Hamtrack to get them. Thanks for listening.

Thanks for listening to Daily Detroit. If you like what you're hearing, tell a friend about us, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or support us by becoming a Patreon member.

On today's episode of Daily Detroit for February 24, 2020

• A new study shows that sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise among senior citizens both nationally and here in Michigan.
• Hate waiting in line at the Secretary of State? You can now renew your car registration at Meijer stores across the state thanks to some new self-service centers.
• Seven Southwest Detroit improvement projects were announced today by the Southwest Detroit Business Association.
• The first $100 million dollars has been raised for the new University of Michigan Detroit Center of Innovation.
• Office drones rejoice because Beyond Juicery Plus Eatery is now open in the food court of the GM RenCen.
• John Cusack is coming to Detroit in April as part of the Freep Film Festival. The festival will be screening his film "Grosse Pointe Blank" and there will be a Q & A afterward.

And finally, Jer chats with Betsy Murdoch from The Congregation. It's a new coffee shop and cocktail bar that is located in an old church on Rosa Parks and Atkinson. It is set to open on March 5, 2020.

Philip Kafka has made a big splash since arriving in Detroit during the last decade.

He's helped open two of the city's most celebrated restaurants, Takoi and Magnet, and he's the developer behind the Quonset hut development "True North," public spaces and retail storefronts popping up in a once-sleepy pocket of the core city neighborhood.

Now, he's looking to expand his development. Kafka joins us for a wide-ranging discussion about his plans, his love of trees, and his unorthodox approach to real estate development.

If this is the first time meeting our show, we're on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

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And although the show will always be free, our members help make it available for everyone else. Become a member on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

City officials today unveiled their sweeping vision to boost support for arts and culture with a multi-faceted plan that envisions it as a tool to attract talent and use the arts as a catalyst for economic growth.

It will all be housed in the city's new Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship, headed by former Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley. She said she spent the past year meeting with more than 100 artists and went on a listening tour of neighborhoods across the city to find out residents' thoughts about how the arts could help rebuild neighborhoods.

Central to the effort is a new Detroit Arts Fund, which will solicit tax-deductible donations to city arts programs and existing assets. The plan also envisions things like establishing neighborhood art houses, job and entrepreneurship training, and help with promotion and branding.

Also on the show: We interview cannabis attorney Denise Pollicella about a new lawsuit she's filing against the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency on behalf of 11 businesses that have been shut out from obtaining recreational marijuana licenses in Detroit and Traverse City.

Pollicella says the lawsuit address a conflict between emergency rules and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, which voters approved by ballot measure in 2018.

Last but not least, Ferndale Project is opening Saturday. That's the new name for what was formerly Axle Brewing's Livernois Tap, now owned by Eastern Market Brewing Company. They're having a grand opening from 8 a.m. until midnight. Details here.

Thanks for listening to Daily Detroit. If you like what you're hearing, tell a friend about us, leave us a review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, or support us by becoming a Patreon member.

Australian-style coffee in the Motor City? It's going to become a thing. We talk about it with owner of the forthcoming Coffee Down Under going into Detroit's Financial District, Tarun Kajeepeta.

It'll be located in the basement level of the same building as Brome Eatery at Shelby and West Congress.

Plus:

Portillo's looks at Sterling Heights for expansion (source, Crain's)

The Detroit Zoo has a new Polar Bear, Anana

Co-working space Bamboo is expanding to downtown Royal Oak

Don't forget to tell a friend about your Daily Detroit! We're on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Yhv8nSylVWxlZilRhi4X9

And although the show will always be free, our members help make it available for everyone else. Become a member on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show, we look at a group making a garden grow on the east side of the city, Eden Gardens; as well as a non-profit that's helping more than 100 organizations grow in Detroit, Michigan Community Resources.

Our guests are Karen Chava Knox from Eden Gardens Block Club, and the CEO of Michigan Community Resources, Shamyle Dobbs.

PLUS: A couple of restaurant openings are coming this spring in Detroit.

If this is the first time meeting our show, we're on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Yhv8nSylVWxlZilRhi4X9

And although the show will always be free, our members help make it available for everyone else. Become a member on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's podcast:

General Motors is pulling out of three countries.

Art Van Furniture may be for sale or file for bankruptcy protection.

Eastern Market Seafood has been serving patrons for 45 years. It's shuttering at the end of the month, one of many changes in the market.

Detroit City FC is paying off its crowdfunding campaign to fund stadium repairs two years early.

TEDxDetroit is moving to Ford Field.

And, Randy joins us to talk about his first trip to one of Detroit's great bar burger joints, Motor City Sports Bar in Hamtramck. Also, we try Chevapi.

If this is the first time meeting our show, we're on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Yhv8nSylVWxlZilRhi4X9

And although the show will always be free, our members help make it available for everyone else. Become a member on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Ferndale Author Michael Zadoorian joins us to talk about his new book "The Narcissism of Small Differences," that beyond being a good book also has lots of little nods to Metro Detroit.

Pre-order here: https://www.amazon.com/Narcissism-Small-Differences-Michael-Zadoorian/dp/1617758175

"For anyone who's ever asked themselves, 'Am I weird?' Michael Zadoorian has the answer: 'Of course you are. That's the whole idea.' While everyone is trying so hard to act normal, The Narcissism of Small Differences revels in its own weirdness." --Ben Folds, New York Times best-selling author/singer-songwriter

On today's podcast, we discuss:

• Sven dove deep into the muck that is the DOT parking garage project in Ferndale. He's got an in-depth story and we talk about it.
• Detroit's city council wants action on water shutoffs (DETNEWS)
• The Motown Museum is out with a new rendering showing the scale of their $50 million expansion (Watch it here)
• A new Amazon facility is on the way to western Oakland County
• A new chapter for a historic mansion in Northville (OAKLAND PRESS)
• Kevin Saunderson, a legendary techno artist from Detroit, teams up with the sexiest man alive, Idris Elba
• And Troy is gearing up for their restaurant week March 8th-13th. Sven has three recommendations out of the 20 places.

If this is the first time meeting our show, we're on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Yhv8nSylVWxlZilRhi4X9

And although the show will always be free, our members help make it available for everyone else. Become a member on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit