Daily Detroit

Can the bus be the "in" thing as far as getting around town? Tastes are changing around the country and here in Detroit. Many younger adults don't feel the same attachment to the car as previous generations.

Today our conversation is with Sarosh Irani. He was recently featured in the national publication Streetsblog for his research at Wayne State University to improve Detroit's bus system.

For instance, just by moving the shelters to where people actually need them — not building new ones — 8x more people could have access to bus shelters.

And weather in Detroit? As you know, it can be a real thing to deal with.

Also on the show:

Chicago-style pizza joint Giordano's downtown Detroit outpost closes without fanfare. We have feelings.

The Dossin Great Lakes Museum is getting some big upgrades, including a kayak launch.

And, sadly, Cutie Pie the goat has passed on. Cutie Pie and his owner Erick Brown have been spotted numerous times around Detroit. Fortunately, Brown still has Deer, a second therapy goat. If you're unfamiliar with Erick and his therapy goats, try this video.

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New Census estimates are out that show Detroit lost 1,526 residents between 2017 and 2018 to 672,622, yet the city's tax revenues are up, thanks mostly to more people working in the city and paying the city income tax.

So we ask: Can Detroit's recovery continue even if population losses continue? Mayor Mike Duggan has famously said he should ultimately be judged by whether the city can stem its long-running population loss and grow again.

Elsewhere, we talk about that viral video of the blockade of the Lodge Freeway Friday in Detroit so a bunch of people driving Dodge Charger Hellcats could do donuts and burn rubber. Because Detroit is a weird place.

Also:

• Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Shri Thanedar says he's moving to Detroit and may run for public office.
• A new auto show aims to fill the void left by the North American International Auto Show's move to June. It'll be held in Novi in January.
• Condada Tacos is coming to Royal Oak.
• Three Detroit-area pizzerias rank among the top 50 in North America.

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It's the weekend in summer! So we thought with the heat and sun we'd do a rundown of what's hot, what's not, what's new and what's closing around Detroit's bar and restaurant scene.

Joining Sven Gustafson is our regular man about town, Devon O'Reilly. Also in studio is Randy Walker and of course Jer.

We cover:

Tasting the new Momo Cha in the Detroit Shipping Company

Capper and Capper pops up in the David Whitney

Pao opens in Grand Circus Park

Delmar, the new rooftop bar coming to the roof of an old bakery called Delmar in Greektown

Is Greektown de-Greekified?

Fort Street Galley Stumbles, and what it really takes to make it in downtown Detroit

The inappropriate use of the letter "Z" in marketing

Izakaya Katsu closing after just six months. Was Detroit ready?

The excellence that is Frame in Hazel Park

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Aquavit is a caraway-flavored spirit long popular in Scandinavia, where it originated (aquavit literally translates to "water of life"). Yet it's never exactly been a liquor of choice here in the states.

But here comes Norden Aquavit, a nearly year-old brand distilled right here in Detroit by longtime bartender and Berkeley, California native Robyn Cleveland.

I met Cleveland last weekend at a midsommar Swedish dinner at Frame in Hazel Park put on by chef Jill Vedaa, of Salt in Cleveland, no less. It featured four different cocktails made with Norden Aquavit.

Today, Cleveland dropped by the studio with a bottle of Norden to sample and to discuss the company and his work launching a startup aquavit brand from Detroit. Norden Aquavit drinks like a very smooth, non-juniper-y gin, with notes of caraway, of course, but also the sweetness of dill and a licorice/anise finish. We drank it neat — traditionally it's enjoyed slightly chilled — but it was subtle and not hot. And yes, we discuss recipes.

We all want the roads in Michigan fixed. But the price? And paying more for it? That's been a topic of hot debate among politicians and online commenters since Governor Gretchen Whitmer unveiled her plan to raise the gas tax by 45 cents a gallon to raise about $2.5 billion for the roads.

But actually "Fixing the Damn Roads" is harder than a catchphrase. There's a real problem on the ground, with large populations, high traffic volumes and aging infrastructure. The bill is adding up, and getting bigger the longer we don't do anything.

So to dive in on a very local level – specifically Wayne County, Michigan's most populous county – we're joined by Deputy Wayne County Executive Khalil Rahal and Director of Public Services Beverly Watts.

We talk about previous road funding "fixes," where technology really is at to fix roads, where Michigan really stands per capita on funding our roads and some of the restraints Michigan law puts on local cities and counties for raising money for their roads. It's an interesting discussion.

Then, we run down a few quick stories around town.

• Detroit is the fastest-growing in the nation for walkable places, but still, only 10 percent of the city fits that bill.
• A Detroit-based Unicorn startup, StockX, has a new round of funding and new CEO.
• And the old Motorama Motel in Ferndale is going to see new life.

Thanks for listening to the Daily Detroit podcast!

What does it take to make a startup work in Detroit? Our conversation today is with Andrew Landau.

His Detroit-based e-commerce company, Jewel, was recently purchased by banking giant Capital One.

They're going to stay, grow and hire in Detroit, even after the acquisition. We also talk about why he's choosing the Motor City, and what tips he has for other entrepreneurs.

Oh, and they're hiring.

Also on the show:

A wealthy suburban school district votes to close two schools amid racial tension.

There's new life for the site of the old Hazel Park Race Track.

The cold truth is that Cold Truth, a popular soft-serve joint in Eastern Market, is temporarily closing. Also, The Villages Biergarten may be no more.

However, one of Detroit's notorious dive bars, with a history they say is connected to the infamous Purple Gang, may be reopening this fall.

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Over the weekend, an interesting thing happened. Detroit's Rosa Parks Transit Center got swarmed by bees.

A very alert Twitter user shared the story.

https://twitter.com/Imutahr/status/1142518278402846725

This set in motion a rescue of the bees from Detroit Hives.

The Detroit-based nonprofit not only advocates and takes of bees in the area, but educates people on the benefits of bees. Whether it's health benefits, or like in the food desert that is parts of the city, that natural honey can be one of many benefits of bees.

Our guests for the show are Timothy Paule Jackson and Nicole Lindsay who stop by to talk about what happened at the Transit Center, how bees can benefit Detroit and how you can support bees.

Also:

Muralist and graffiti artist Sheefy McFly was arrested by Detroit Police last week for vandalism while working on a mural commissioned by the city of Detroit.

The Palace of Auburn Hills is meeting the wrecking ball.

And Ferndale is installing a new rainbow sidewalk.

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Over the last fifteen years, Michael Matthews rode along with officers of the Detroit Police Department. He had unrestricted access to the day to day life of the Motor City's men in blue.

His new book, "American Ruin: Life And Death On The Streets Of Detroit – America's Deadliest City" dives into what's happening in a variety of neighborhoods, with first-hand accounts from his own eyes and on-the-job Detroit cops.

In that time, Matthews – a former London cop and Scotland Yard officer himself – has come to see two Detroits.

One that's shiny, new and resurgent. New buildings. new residents. One of promise and progress.

And another where children are literally huddled in a house with no water, no heat, no furniture — and a pair of guns.

The truth is that in Detroit, both stories exist. Side by side. Sometimes just one block from each other.

Today's episode of the Daily Detroit podcast is a conversation between our Sven Gustafson and Michael Matthews. You'll find that below.

We also have a short excerpt of the book as a downloadable PDF. Please note, it contains a highly offensive slur used in a direct quotation. Download the PDF here.

If you're interested, you can buy "American Ruin – Detroit: America's Deadliest City" online here.

Our daily podcast pushes Detroit's conversation forward. You can subscribe free to that here in Apple Podcasts.

Ford — as part of the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) negotiated as part of the $740 million Michigan Central Station/Corktown project — launched a City:One in Detroit.

It's a competition for ideas to make it easier for Detroiters to get around. Sven went to Corktown to get all the details and we talk about what's happening on the show.

If you want to enter, go here.

Also – Billionaire investor and Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert has moved from Beaumont Hospital to an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

And the Detroit Zoo is temporarily closing the recently built Polk Penguin Conservation Center from September through June of 2020 to fix waterproofing issues that they're saying are due to the contractor. The $31 million building only opened in April of 2016.

On today's episode, we check in with soccer journalist and The Outer Drive podcast co-host Fletcher Sharpe, who covers Detroit City FC. With five games remaining in the NPSL regular season, Le Rouge are now unbeaten in seven games and have held opponents scoreless in each of those matches.

But City has also notched scoreless draws during that stretch with their top divisional rivals in the NPSL Great Lakes Conference — AFC Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids FC. Le Rouge will have rematches with both teams during their final five games, and as Sharpe says, not all three teams are likely to make the NPSL playoffs.

What else do we cover on the show, you ask?

• Federal officials are reviewing the Motor City Match program, which is meant to encourage small business entrepreneurship in the city, over its record-keeping and spending. [Detroit News]
• Jer talks to us about Ford's new information and community center as part of Michigan Center, the company's new name for its big investment in Corktown.
• Buddy's Pizza is giving out $7.30 discounts in celebration of its 73rd year in business.
• And in more soccer news, soccer superstar Lionel Messi and FC Barcelona will highlight a friendly match Aug. 10 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. They'll play Italian side Napoli in the inaugural La Liga-Serie A Cup.

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.