Features

10 essential networks for Detroit creatives

Amanda Lewan Monday, March 09, 2015

Whatever role you play in the creative economy, an abundance of local creative networks and resources exists to support you. Here are 10 especially good ones.

Downtown

Can individuals and communities generate Michigan's electricity in the future?

Nina Ignaczak Monday, March 09, 2015

It's a brave new energy world in Michigan. Coal is on the way out while natural gas, wind and solar are on the way in. But the bigger question is who will generate electricity in the future -- traditional utilities, or individuals and communities?

What it takes to transform Southeast Michigan into a STEM Hub

Dr. Tonya Matthews Monday, March 09, 2015

Building a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) economy is widely seen as a pathway to prosperity. So what would it take to make Southeast Michigan a STEM Hub? Dr. Tonya Matthews, CEO of the Michigan Science Center, has a few ideas, starting with putting people first.

Woodbridge, Hamtramck, Southwest, Corktown, Palmer Park / University District, The Villages, Lafayette Park, Grandmont Rosedale, Eastern Market, Midtown, New Center, Downtown

How Motor City Mapping became a template for citywide collaboration

Walter Wasacz Friday, February 20, 2015

The Motor City Mapping project captured vital information on the condition of each of Detroit's 375,000+ parcels. It may have also created a template for citywide collaboration.

Woodbridge, Hamtramck, Southwest, Corktown, Palmer Park / University District, The Villages, Lafayette Park, Grandmont Rosedale, Eastern Market, Midtown, New Center, Downtown

Winter harvest: How local farmers are extending the growing season

David Sands Friday, February 20, 2015

Frigid temperatures and snow don't mean you have to rule out eating fresh, regionally-sourced vegetables. Winter food production is alive and thriving in and around Michigan thanks to greenhouse growing and other season-extending technologies.

Eastern Market

Opinion: Detroit needs to preserve public spaces for assembly and free speech

Dennis Archambault Friday, February 20, 2015

Detroit's downtown parks long have been places where people exercise their constitutional right to assemble peaceably, but does private management of public spaces now stand in their way?

Downtown

How four young chefs ignited Detroit's restaurant renaissance

Nicole Rupersburg Friday, February 20, 2015

In three short years, four young chefs have gone from "almost famous" to big-time celebrities in the local and national culinary scenes.

Hamtramck, Midtown, Downtown

Embracing the magical: Q&A with place-based education architect David Sobel

Friday, February 20, 2015

In a culture so consumed by digital devices and virtual experiences, how can the natural world compete for students' attention? We talk with David Sobel, architect of place-based education, to find out.

Making paczki with Sister Pie

Alissa Shelton Friday, February 20, 2015

In years past, we have provided you with guides to help you celebrate Paczki Day. This year, we decided to get our hands dirty and actually make paczki with 2014 Hatch contest winners, Sister Pie.

Midtown

From prisoner in Iraq to store owner in Detroit: Imad Morad's long journey to entrepreneurship

Global Detroit Sunday, February 08, 2015

Once a prisoner of Al Qaeda with little hope of survival, Imad Agh Morad has made a new life as an entrepreneur in Detroit.

Grandmont Rosedale

Remembering 'Color Cubes,' downtown Detroit's lost public art landmark

Matthew Piper Sunday, February 08, 2015

Last Spring, an iconic piece of public art in downtown Detroit was painted over to make room for a temporary 7-11 ad. The sudden loss lead Matthew Piper to dig deep into the history of "Color Cubes" by David Rubello, which is gone but not forgotten.

Downtown

Businesses put best face forward with help of local fa�ade improvement programs

Amy Swift Sunday, February 08, 2015

A building's visual order can have an inordinate impact on a community, which is why a number of area community development organizations have used façade improvement programs to battle blight and spur neighborhood economic development.

Southwest, The Villages, Midtown

Detroit restaurants and farmers are working together to expand options for locavores

Aaron Mondry Sunday, February 08, 2015

As Detroit restaurants become more dedicated to sourcing locally and Detroit farmers work harder to meet demand, the locavore's dining options are expanding.

Corktown, Eastern Market

Dilla Youth Day to celebrate legendary producer, empower local kids on Feb. 8 at Wright Museum

Keith Owens Sunday, February 08, 2015

Dilla Youth Day, A celebration of legendary Detroit producer J Dilla and a workshop for local kids interested in music, will take place Feb. 8, 1-8 p.m. at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Midtown

After two-year fellowship, dedication to improving the city keeps three fellows in Detroit

Walter Wasacz Sunday, February 08, 2015

Three members of the Detroit Revitalization Fellows inaugural cohort are committed to continuing their work to improve the city well beyond their fellowship term.

Midtown, New Center, Downtown