The Renaissance Center has been at the center of Detroit's skyline since the 1970s - and it's a building with a fascinating past, present, and future.

With General Motors moving out and going to two floors of the Hudson's Detroit up Woodward Avenue, in the next year GM and Bedrock will be working together to try to find new uses for the 5.5 million square foot complex that today is mostly offices and a hotel.

I felt like we should learn a bit more about the building, and talk about way to not only redevelop it, but connect it to the rest of the city of Detroit. I say "connect" because the initial design was very intentionally separated from the rest of the city.

Through a number of interior redesigns, the RenCen of today is quite different than what was built. And what we see going forward? Might be quite a bit different than today - even on the outside.

To talk about the history, what's going on now and the future? Mark Nickita is our guest.

Mark Nickita, FAIA is an urbanist, architect, retail entrepreneur, developer, educator, an elected municipal leader, and co- founder and President of Archive DS. He has vast experience in the development, enhancement and the regeneration of pedestrian-oriented urban environments including downtowns, neighborhoods, developed corridors, mixed-use areas and underutilized districts of post-industrial cities. Architectural and urban design projects include adaptive-reuse, historic rehabilitation and new infill buildings in a variety of cities, typically on challenging urban sites that require unique design solutions.

I hope you enjoy (and learn something) from this conversation.

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

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Where's the beef? The beef is everywhere, it seems.

This is an episode where Norris Howard and Devon O'Reilly rule the show. And it's an episode about beefs. And proposed changes to marijuana policy - and we talk about the possible impact, and what might actually make more money. .

The rundown:

01:03 - Devon wants to know more about the beef between Kendrick and Drake. Norris obliges.

07:13 - Then we get into the beef between Comcast / Xfinity and Bally Sports, where viewers are losers in a season where the Detroit Tigers aren't bad. Major sports that aren't football are losing momentum, in part, because they're so hard to watch.

15:25 - Is "sports" now just American football? And this is the fastest growing sport for viewership among younger adults.

20:27 - Proposed rule changes around marijuana may impact the overall business, which is huge in volume in Michigan but low on margin. Is the real key to making money consumption lounges?

Feedback - dailydetroit -at- gmail.com or leave a voicemail, 313-789-3211.

Would love to hear from you.

As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Hey all - it's just you, me, and the news make three today.

No conversation today, just 10 stories to know around Metro Detroit - from the interesting to the important we take you from Pontiac to Berkley to Detroit.

From iconic donuts to the re-opening of a Detroit icon. Full rundown and links to come.

On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

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Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

The vibes around the NFL Draft were excellent weekend, and we get into some of the early data after a press event Monday morning. From the huge amount of food sold, to hotel rooms being booked across the region, to an event with very, very, very few incidents warranting arrest.

Plus, Fletcher Sharpe talks about his favorite down-round draft picks by the Detroit Lions, and the battle that's coming for kicker for the Lions.

Thanks to our newest sponsor, your local Best Choice Roofing of Metro Detroit. They do quality work, you can hire them around the region (and in the city) and we thank them for their support. https://bestchoiceroofingdetroit.com/

As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts. On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

The people showed up in Detroit for the NFL Draft - 275,000 of them, setting a record for the event. Plus, the Lions made a key pick - and we know now more about how the NFC North might shape up for next year.

To break it all down, Fletcher Sharpe joined me at the Foundation Hotel for a very early morning recording sessions.

The Detroit podcast rundown:

01:00 - Record-setting attendance and the vibe downtown was great

03:15 - Brad Holmes got his man: CB Terrion Arnold selected by Lions

05:59 - Lions signings - Penei Sewell, Amon Ra St. Brown

09:23 - What are Lions looking for in later rounds? 10:49 - There's more than the draft zone - parties in parks, events, etc

12:22 - JJ McCarthy and the Vikings 14:56 - Bears make moves, how does it impact Lions?

16:35 - Green Bay pick thoughts

As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts. On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Norris Howard is in, and we talk about a rash of racist billboards that recently popped up in town and how it shows there's more work to do around the topic.

Source news stories we talk about: Detroit News: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/04/23/american-islamic-group-leaders-condemn-hitler-racist-billboards-in-southeast-michigan/73426966007/

Metro Times: https://www.metrotimes.com/news/racist-messages-splashed-across-billboards-in-metro-detroit-on-hitlers-birthday-36078810

As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Today in a new game, "Pick 3," we determine what are our favorite breakfast spots in greater Downtown Detroit ahead of the NFL Draft (to answer listener Laura's question).

Engineer Randy went to the newest dining ticket in Detroit, Vecino. He has thoughts in a first look at the modern Mexician cuisine spot.

And, we talk about our brand new website and newsletter platform to improve how we serve all of you.

Rundown:

01:24 - Randy checks out the newest restaruant in Midtown, Vecino. This isn't a full review but a "first look," with his thoughts from food to drinks to pricing.

09:39 - Our new game show, Pick 3! Where Jer and Randy draft their favorite three breakfast spots near the NFL Draft to help out listener Laura.

18:21 - We've got a brand new website and new newsletter platform. We've moved to Ghost to help be ready to grow the thing.

Thanks to our newest sponsor, your local Best Choice Roofing of Metro Detroit. They do quality work, you can hire them around the region (and in the city) and we thank them for their support. https://bestchoiceroofingdetroit.com/

As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts. On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Today Fletcher Sharpe is in and we do a bit of a preview of the NFL Draft event situation. Plus, we discuss whether professional players should bet on sports at all, and the growing importance of gambling to the business of sports.

The Detroit Tigers may not be able to coast with a .500 record and win the American League Central as the Cleveland Guardians are showing to be a stronger team, so the Tigers will have to step up with their bats.

And Fletcher went to the Detroit City FC match against the Oakland Roots as city wins again in the USL Championship, 3-1.

Also, if you're interested in meeting up during the draft send us a note! As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Today's podcast seems to be brought to you by the letter "B." Producer Shianne is in the co-host chair and we cover everything from a favorite old White Stripes show being available online to new supersized gas station speculation to a new spot in Berkley to a little love for the People Mover in light of the Draft street closures.

00:58 - White Stripes old show at the Magic Stick from 20+ years ago is available online

03:17 - Bucc-ee's speculation with a new billboard popping up in West Michigan. Jer's been, so he talks about it.

11:02 - Bombshell Treat Bar opens in Berkley. Jer went to the media preview, and has the tasty details.

14:16 - People Mover love in light of the closures and traffic - should we have more elevated rail?

Also, if you're interested in meeting up during the draft send us a note!

As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts. On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Devon O'Reilly is in on a Friday and we're talking about what's new and notable around town, with a focus on the tasty.

02:02 - The Astro egg sandwich recipe has been released into the wild. A life-changing sandwich, you can get the recipe here. https://stilllifewithlemon.substack.com/p/astro-egg-sandwich

05:01 - Jer and Devon go to Gilly's and have their first impressions on Detroit's newest sports bar

13:18 - New boardwalk connecting to West Riverfront Park underway

14:58 - Edition Hotel coming to Detroit, Devon's RenCen take

Also, if you're interested in meeting up during the draft send us a note!

As always, you can find Daily Detroit on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you download your favorite podcasts. On Apple: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

On Spotify: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonspotify

Thanks to our members on Patreon. Local coverage requires local support: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit