Daily Detroit

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

On today's show:

Our feature conversation is with Glenn Stevens. He's the executive director of MICHAUTO, and an interesting voice to talk with Sven Gustafson about the future of electrification, where the auto industry is in Michigan, how companies will adapt to climate change and the global hyper-urbanization trends, and more. We recorded it at the Detroit Policy Conference.

Also: The Bonstelle Theater is getting new life as a conference and event space as part of a resuscitated hotel project that's now being done by the Roxybury Group.

A petition is circulating on Change.org upset at the approved demolition of most of the Sacred Heart church building in Roseville for self-storage units and retail. The deal has been in the works and in the news, but a month ago it was unanimously approved by city council. The petition is here: https://www.change.org/p/roseville-michigan-city-council-save-our-sacred-heart-church-from-storage-developers

I-94 between I-75 and Gratiot is going to be closed in both directions this week and next to demolish the East Grand Boulevard bridge.

And, my little humble tribute to Ernie Harwell as spring is in fact coming with pitcher and catcher reporting to spring training.

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:

• A new report from the University of Michigan is forecasting that the city of Detroit will have faster growth than the rest of Michigan. Read the report here.
• The Sears at Middlebelt and Seven Mile in Livonia will be closing soon. There's no date as of yet, but things are already marked down to 40% off.
• Bloomfield Hills-based Taubman Group has been sold to Simon Property Group for $3.6 billion.
• Nicole Curtis is looking for an older fixer-upper to get over the finish line, and it could be your project. Find out more here.
• The historic Fisher Building is getting another round of improvements, this time on the exterior of the building.
• Detroit's culinary community is in mourning, Chef Jason Osburn from Otus Supply passed away unexpectedly over the weekend.
• And a clarification from Friday's show. You can find out more about Rebel Cycle Studio here.

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 show:

SMART bus ridership is up, led by the growth of their FAST Service on Woodward, Michigan and Gratiot. Go figure, you do a frequent service that shows up on time and people use it?

The city of Detroit is suing three major landlords who they call slumlords, wanting the court to call their businesses public nuisances.

And Fletcher Sharpe joins us to talk about the Andre Drummond trade from the Pistons to the Cavaliers, what's next for the team, and has some updates on Detroit City FC.

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

With a labor participation rate around 20 points less than that of a healthy city, Detroit has a talent gap and a skills gap.

And this isn't unique to the city. It's impacting the region and the state, too.

So how do we get people to work? What are some of the things to be done about it? And how to do it under the current system — which as much as some want to change it is the world we live in right now — without saddling people with tons of debt?

Jose is the Director of Workforce and Community development for Washtenaw Community College. As someone who's both dealt with the city directly in a former job and now working for a college regionally, he brings an interesting perspective.

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

Our guest today is Kara Swisher, one of the foremost tech and business journalists in the country. Beyond her work at Vox and her column at the New York Times, she's found success with her podcasts including Recode/ Decode and another she co-hosts, Pivot.

I wanted to talk with kara for a variety of reasons. After all, southeast Michigan is central to one of America's most significant industries, autos.

Cars and trucks are basically full of tech on four wheels. But preferences are changing. What will the world look like in the future? And how will companies adapt?

But it's not just about cars. Going forward, if our area is going to succeed economically, we'll have to diversify.

So how do you make out of what you got, and how do you get the flywheel going to create new opportunities?

We also get into her passion about civic life.

She has an event March 18th about what big tech owes us with former Facebook security chief officer Alex Stamos in Ann Arbor if you're interested, here's a link.

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

Today we're hitting pause on interviews to catch you up on some things happening around town.

First up, Amazon has released a new video and some details about the battery-electric Prime delivery vans that Plymouth-based Rivian will build for it. The online retailer has ordered 100,000 vans from Rivian, which has designed the vehicle and will supply the skateboard electric-vehicle platform it will ride on. They'll come in three different sizes, offer different battery configurations and feature things like digital screens and modular bumpers. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKpOE8eulXM&feature=emb_title

Next up, Pontiac city officials are once again talking about changes to the Woodward Avenue Widetrack Loop that encircles and, urban planners say, strangles its downtown. The Michigan Department of Transportation has proposed turning both sides of the counterclockwise loop into two-way streets. [Oakland Press]

Also in today's show:

• Detroit City FC has announced its first-ever TV broadcast deal
• A sushi chain is teaming with Bell's Brewery to open a location at a Meijer in Brighton
• A couple new restaurants are coming to Sterling Heights
• A new doner kabob restaurant is coming to Corktown
• Founders will finally re-open its Detroit Taproom
• And Ford has announced the three winners of its City:One Michigan Central Station project to improve mobility in and around Corktown

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.

A mover and shaker is helping fund a campaign for equal rights for LGBTQ Michiganders

Speaking of which, a new housing development will be built to support youth in that community (read more in the Detroit News)

Beaumont Hospital is expanding in Grosse Pointe

The Detroit People Mover is changing direction

And then a conversation with developer David Alade, the co-founder of Century Partners. I caught up with him at the Detroit Policy Conference and we chatted about the Fitzgerald neighborhood in the city of Detroit, over by 6 Mile between the Marygrove and the University of Detroit Mercy campuses.

That's where his company is doing a variety of projects and it's one of the neighborhoods the city is focusing on right now.

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

Look, this has been a busy, long week. Lots of things happening. Serious conversations. Big issues. But today is not that.

No, it's the weekend so we kicked back, cracked open some Casamara Club and talked to Jason LaValla.

What is Casamara Club? Well, it's what's called a leisure soda. That's a concept I wasn't sure about at first. But now? I totally get it. but now?.

They're amaro soft drinks, made with actually natural ingredients, founded here in metro Detroit.

Now, this isn't some huge operation. It's a few people and bubbly dream that is becoming, case by case, a reality.

And that hard work is something I can always raise a glass to. Enjoy.

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: A deeper dive than we've done before on some issues across the state.

Most polls focus on the horserace. Who's up, and who's down. But this is more about what is on the minds of metro Detroiters and Michiganders, and get an idea of some possible solutions.

Joining me and Sven Gustafson to talk about it is Brad Williams from the Detroit Regional Chamber. He's their Vice President of Government Relations.

Of course, we talked about the roads. historically, Michigan has last in the nation - 50 out of 50 states - when it comes to per-person spending on them.

We also touch on healthcare and some other topics.

Also - Governor Gretchen Whitmer rolled out her plan to loan $3.5 billion through bonds to fund 122 road projects while the lawmakers look at a more permanent solution.

And, a planned 34 story tower next to the Michigan Opera Theater has been shelved. Go here for more: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/mot-halts-proposed-high-rise-next-detroit-opera-house-downtown

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