Downtown : Features

Move over Marshall Mathers, respect to the memory of J Dilla, there is a new crop of Detroit artists and designers inspired by hip hop culture. Veronica Grandison follows the flow to meet the innovators making it happen now. 

U.S.-born residents join with immigrants and refugees in a spirit of unity across Michigan and the rest of the country for National Welcoming Week. Christine Sauvé of Welcoming Michigan teams up with Global Detroit for this report.

Literally a foot-to-the-pedal, dirt-inside-the-fingernails organization that helps keep playgrounds and other green spaces cut in Detroit, the Mower Gang is garnering national attention for its good work. DETROIT LIVES! produced the video. 

The top four Hatch finalists selected from the online public vote will advance to the next round. To help you choose which business you want to endorse, Model D development news editor Nicole Rupersburg checks in with each of the semifinalists.

To sell assets held in public trust would set a poor precedent for its lack of preservation of art and cultural artifacts. In addition, there is very little legal support or business sense in seeking a sale of the art, says guest columnist and bankruptcy attorney Kimberly Clayson. 

On Thursday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. we'll be doing a loop of incubators and co-working spaces in greater downtown that have emerged as springboards for new ideas in the city. Get more info inside and sign up today. 

Tom and David Carleton began developing downtown property in the early 1990s, when most of the money was headed elsewhere. Now they talk about creating "the greatest space to take a meeting between New York and L.A." Francis Grunow meets the brothers for a chat on the roof of the Grand Army Republic building.

The Detroit Institute of Arts was host to a stimulating panel discussion on regionalism -- a vitally important cog in the future of the city. Walter Wasacz brought his notebook, Oren Goldenberg his video camera. 

Race relations top the list of issues that need absolute real talk. There are many who believe Detroit can be a leader in building cooperation and harmony as we rebuild the city. Matthew Lewis reports from a room filled with plenty of believers. 

Jay Hack walks everywhere he needs to go downtown, for food and drink, for religious services, for sporting events - though his business is in the suburbs, where most of his friends remain. Dennis Archambault reports from the tower.

In the last few years, there has been a visible influx of creatively based, high growth businesses opening in, moving to or setting up an office in the greater downtown Detroit area. Jon Zemke tracks the exciting progress in this special report.