Daily Detroit

This episode of Daily Detroit with Jer Staes and Devon O'Reilly covers:

• Thanksgiving vibes: Jer and Devon kick off with light banter on their favorite Thanksgiving sides

• Where we've been: Devon shares his experience at the new Ford World Headquarters grand opening in Dearborn, highlighting the innovative "glass spaceship" campus, family legacy, and downtown impact. This includes the historic Dearborn Inn and its newly redone literary-themed cottages.

• Where we've been, pt 2, holiday happenings: Jer describes the festive transformation of Michigan Central Station for "Winter at the Station," complete with interactive video walls and seasonal events, making it a must-visit holiday destination in Corktown.

• Community and connection: We encourage listeners to explore diverse neighborhoods and businesses across Metro Detroit! Get to know your neighbors!

• Facing serious news: The conversation shifts to recent protests in Dearborn, debunking harmful myths (notably, the false "Sharia law" narrative) and reflecting on the robust, peaceful, and united local response. Devon, recently elected to City Council, shares some hsitory and context about Dearborn's resilience and diversity — as outsiders coming around with factually false ideas is nothing new.

• We end with calls for stores from listeners in communities across the region. After all, Daily Detroit has the core value of localism.

Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211.

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Jer and Norris are in with hot takes and hot stories around Metro Detroit!

03:12 - Sweetgreens opening day annoucement

05:32 - Belle Isle news: Zoo to be demolished and the historic Boat House will be leased to developer

11:41 - David Whitney Building converting existing apartment units to condos

15:07 - DTE Energy trying to fast track approval for data center

20:27 - Sinclair media trying to buy EW Scripps - which includes WXYZ Channel 7 here in Detroit

What do you think of the new "Nasty Dogs" Pistons nickname? Plus, Cade's getting his flowers with a new show; the Lions look kinda lacking and need to step their game up if they're gonna make the playoffs.

PLUS - Eminem and Paul Rosenberg are producing the halftime shows for Thanksgiving Day for the next three years. First up? Jack White.

We're supported by you, our members on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit

Feedback as always, dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211.

Me and photographer Ryan Southen reflect on Ford's new glass-clad headquarters across from The Henry Ford in Dearborn. We get into the design elements, the thoughts behind the campus, and details we noticed from the tour.

It shows an organization that's looking not only to the future, but to having a campus that top talent from around the country would want to work at.

Ford's new World Headquarters isn't just glass and steel. It's a 2.1 million square foot bet that Metro Detroit and Michigan can compete for talent with Silicon Valley.

You can see the entire photo tour on our website here: https://www.dailydetroit.com/see-inside-fords-big-bet-on-the-future-a-new-world-headquarters/

Welcome to Friday! This is your Daily Detroit sharing What's Next, What's Now and What Matters in the Motor City. Devon O'Reilly and Jer are your hosts and today's bucket of topics include:

• Detroit development updates: Henry Ford campus expansion, new Amsterdam Lofts, and transformation around Grand Boulevard

• Discussion of the changing Milwaukee Junction, originally the crucible of the auto industry and generally an industrial neighborhood and now turning to lofts and residential

• Where we've been: Fishbones in St. Clair Shores and the new Nick Gilbert Way for the holidays

• Devon laments the loss of the "kitschy" vibe in dining — and the rise of homogenized minimalism in Detroit restaurants

• Are you a minimalist or a maximalist with design?

• New placemaking features: There's a giant teddy bear at Nick Gilbert Way and improved Woodward corridor with outdoor "rooms"

• Pingree Detroit's opening on Columbia

• Retail update: Timberland store opening on Woodward today

• Abrupt closure of the Sonder Hotel (Gabriel Richard Building) due to national bankruptcy; what's next for the property

• Our main topic: A new $75 million DDA incentive for Renaissance Center conversion and riverfront redevelopment; breakdown of funding and vision for more public access and a "Navy Pier-like" experience

• Comparing Detroit's Riverfront to other U.S. cities and discussion on what it still needs to truly be the best

• Upcoming events: David Whitney building tree lighting on November 22nd

Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211.

Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/

And we're back! Jer and Fletcher are in to talk about all things Detroit on this Veteran's Day.

Also, thanks for the HUGE effort by you, our community, on our Gleaners virtual food drive! Support it here: https://fooddrives.gcfb.org/event/2025-daily-detroit-virtual-food-drive/

Your show rundown:

03:47 - RoboCop Statue in Eastern Market: Jer and Fletcher discuss long-awaited completion and location of Detroit's RoboCop statue; impact as a tourist destination; personal reflections and the journey to completion.

07:36 - Detroit Lions Talk: Recap Lions' 44-22 win over Washington; Jer and Fletcher analyze Dan Campbell's offensive play-calling shift, staff decisions, game tactics, impact on the team, and upcoming game vs. Eagles.

15:18 - Pistons Off to a Hot Start: Jer and Fletcher break down Detroit Pistons' 9-2 record, Cade Cunningham's historic triple-double, change in team chemistry, new players, and renewed energy; Fletcher analyzes growth and outlook.

18:09 - Detroit City FC Playoff Run Ends: Reaction to DCFC's playoff elimination (penalty shootout), success exceeding expectations, offense frustrations, league parity, and challenges retaining talent.

21:40 - Listener: Why Not More Red Wings Talk? Listener question about lack of Red Wings coverage; Fletcher shares personal reasons and nostalgia for Red Wings' 90s dynasty. But yes, we totally hear you!

25:10 - What is Fletcher's favorite Daily Detroit sticker? Get yours at https://www.patreon.com/DailyDetroit

Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211.

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Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/

Devon O'Reilly is back — now as a councilman-elect of the great city of Dearborn!

After talking about the race and the experience, we get back into the groove on where we've been for coffee... plus:

• React to news that the owner of a giant downtown Detroit building has declared bankruptcy. Our worry? Buyers who don't actually have the access to cash to fix these places up, so they get stuck for years.
• Speculation on future use for the soon to be vacated Detroit intercity bus terminal on Howard Street
• And reacting to your listener feedback on Waymo coming to Detroit... which was overwhelmingly positive.

Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211.

Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/

Welcome to Daily Detroit — your guide to what's next, what's now, and what matters in the Motor City.

Today, we're diving deep into one of Detroit's biggest challenges and, possibly, its greatest opportunity: what to do with our city's vast tracts of vacant land.

Since 1950, Detroit has lost 65% of its population, creating more than 100,000 vacant lots and 18 square miles of unused land.

Right now, the city spends more than $1.3 million each year just mowing the grass on these empty parcels, among other costs.

But what if these vacant lots were transformed into something new? Parks, forests, community gardens, and green spaces that could help stabilize neighborhoods, improve health and safety, and help us adapt to a changing climate?

That's the question at the heart of the latest report from Detroit Future City: "Saving for the Future."

To break this all down, I'm joined by two key voices behind the report. Kimberly Faison, Vice President for Thriving, Resilient Neighborhoods, and Sarah Hayosh, Director of Land Use and Design at Detroit Future City.

We'll talk about how a dedicated land conservancy could be a game-changer for Detroit, what the research says about green space and community health, and the practical steps ahead to make this vision real.

Link to the report: https://detroitfuturecity.com/data_reports/saving-for-the-future-land-conservation-in-detroit/

Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211. Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/

The 2025 Detroit mayoral election saw a historic victory with Mary Sheffield becoming the first female mayor of the city. Join Jer and Norris as we unpack the results, analyze the political landscape, and discuss what this means for the future of the Motor City.

Here's what you'll discover:

• A Landslide Victory: How Mary Sheffield secured a clear victory from Detroit voters and the significance of her win

• The Energy Shift: Norris Howard shares his firsthand experiences from the Kinloch and Sheffield victory parties, highlighting the diverse and energized coalition behind the new mayor

• Generational Change: Exploring the through-line between Detroit and New York's recent elections, and how a new wave of millennial leaders is emerging

• The Responsibility Ahead: What challenges and opportunities Mary Sheffield faces in her first 100 days, and the importance of delivering on promises to the community

• The Power of the People: A discussion on the critical role Detroit's residents play in the city's comeback, and how any mayor either enables or hinders that spirit

• Local Race Breakdowns: Analysis of key City Council races, including Angela Whitfield Callaway, Scott Benson, Renata Miller, Gabriella Santiago-Romero, Denzel Anton McCampbell

• The Rise of Progressivism: Examining the growing appeal of progressive ideas — particularly among younger voters for whom the current system isn't working for them — and what this means for an American politics where frustration is driving a desire for change

The whole time we share personal stories, thoughtful commentary, and a passionate love for the city of Detroit.

Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211.

Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942

Or sign up for our newsletter: https://www.dailydetroit.com/newsletter/

On this episode of Daily Detroit, host Jer talks with Mike Burton, co-founder and CEO of Lockstop, to discuss an innovative solution for bike security now available in Detroit.

Learn how this technology is making cycling more accessible and secure in Corktown's Transportation Innovation Zone, and how data from bike locks could help shape the future of urban mobility.

• Lockstop's Innovation: A retrofit bike locking system that provides both security and valuable mobility data
• Detroit Deployment: 25 Lockstop devices installed throughout Corktown, focusing on Michigan Central and key amenities
• Transportation Innovation Zone: How Corktown serves as a testing ground for mobility startups
• Data-Driven Insights: Understanding cyclist demographics and patterns to improve urban planning
• The Goal: Getting more "booties on bikes" by making cycling a viable transportation option

• Half of daily car trips in the US are within three miles — the perfect cycling distance
• Detroit has grown 25% on the "People for Bikes" score and has more than 400 miles of trails
• Lockstop devices are strategically placed near coffee shops, restaurants, and workplaces along Michigan Avenue
• The Lockstop app (available on iOS and Android) helps cyclists locate devices and secure their bikes

Mike Burton - Co-founder and CEO of Lockstop

• Download the Lockstop app: https://www.lockstop.co/
• Visit Corktown and Michigan Central to try Lockstop devices
• Contact Daily Detroit: [email protected]

Daily Detroit is made possible by our members on Patreon. Join us to get exclusive swag, including our brand new sticker pack, at patreon.com/DailyDetroit

Feedback as always - dailydetroit -at- gmail -dot- com or leave a voicemail 313-789-3211.

Follow Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942