Features

David Alade, left, and Steven Harris, right, on the steps of a building newly purchased by Harris

A new beginning for the North End

Cornelius Fortune Wednesday, September 28, 2016

The North End has seen terrible times, as residents and community members attest. But thanks to the efforts of developers, artists, and others with a vision, the narrative is shifting.

Midtown, New Center

Former site of Saint-Étienne’s military manufacturing activities, the Manufacture

Three things to know about Detroit's City of Design designation

Ellen Schneider Wednesday, September 28, 2016

UNESCO's City of Design designation has helped members transform their cities through design. Ellen Schneider of the Detroit Creative Corridor Center writes about how Detroit can harness that same potential.

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

The Detroit comic con that's changing perceptions of race in comics

Kim Eggleston Wednesday, September 14, 2016

A lot more people are making the pilgrimage to Detroit this fall to attend MECCA, a black-centric celebration of geekdom and creativity.

Midtown

HopCat: the 'anti-chain chain'

Annamarie Sysling Wednesday, September 07, 2016

What started as a hobby has become big business for HopCat owner Mark Sellers.

Midtown

Open data: How access to public data is growing in Detroit

Patrick Dunn Wednesday, September 07, 2016

For years, Detroiters had a hard time getting reliable data in a digestible format. But thanks to greater transparency from city government, and the work of a host of other companies and organizations, access to data has never been better.

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

Detail-work by Nielbock, incorporating the iconic "Spirit of Detroit" statue

Restoring memories and forging futures with Carl Nielbock of CAN Art Handworks

Sarah Rose Sharp Wednesday, September 07, 2016

CAN Art Handworks, a metalsmithing facility that specializes in the restoration of historic architectural metalwork, might best be summed up in this simple mission statement: learn from history in preparation for the future.

Eastern Market

Chinatown kiosk at Peterborough and Cass

The yin and yang of Detroit's fastest changing neighborhood

Walter Wasacz Wednesday, September 07, 2016

For the first article in our series on walking as a means of neighborhood discovery, Walter Wasacz heads to Chinatown, a place where booming economic activity confronts history.

Midtown

A region of opportunity: How Metro Detroit is helping its immigrant population succeed

Aaron Mondry Wednesday, September 07, 2016

In the second installment of our series on solutions to regional issues, we explore how cities and community groups are helping Metro Detroit's immigrants overcome the many challenges they face when coming to America.

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

Kids having fun at the Palmer Park playground

The People's Park: How grassroots organizers have reinvigorated Palmer Park

Brian Allnutt Wednesday, September 07, 2016

A real sense of energy and community has emerged at Palmer Park, thanks in large part to the nonprofit People for Palmer Park.

Palmer Park / University District

Founders of Detroit's Flash Delivery keep their plates full

Claire Charlton Thursday, August 25, 2016

When entrepreneurs recognize just how well their skills complement each other, there’s no limit to their potential for success. Into their third year together, Ericka Billingslea and Tatiana Grant are feeding Detroit by growing Flash Delivery at a steady pace.

Downtown

Tom and Vicki Zilke of Zilke Vegetable Farm

Eastern Market's 10-year plan will shape our region's food economy

Dennis Archambault Thursday, August 25, 2016

The ambitious plan will modernize the market by creating an enterprise zone for food processing and a new entity to act as broker between Southeast Michigan farmers and commercial consumers.

Eastern Market

Students in the program roleplay as police officers

Keeping the peace: Wayne State program continues longtime work of youth conflict resolution

Emell Derra Adolphus Thursday, August 25, 2016

As the 50th anniversary of the Detroit 1967 approaches, Wayne State University's Center for Peace and Conflict Studies continues to challenge tomorrow's young leaders to take action today.

Midtown

Success beyond startup: Walker-Miller invests in energy, diversity

Claire Charlton Monday, August 15, 2016

By definition, startups have to start somewhere. But in order to really gain traction, small businesses must reach “second level” to create jobs and contribute to the economy on a bigger scale. Carla Walker-Miller, president and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services, talks about how to make this leap, and why “leaning out” is so important for growth and diversity.

Downtown

Seeking a "missing middle" in Metro Detroit's housing market

Patrick Dunn Monday, August 15, 2016

Even as demographics shift and preferences change, most Metro Detroit developers are sticking with a familiar playbook of detached single family homes. But a few intrepid builders are testing the waters with "missing middle" housing.