Daily Detroit

Latest Episodes:

Detroit's First Michelin Stars? Our Picks and Predictions (and more!) Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

On today's Daily Detroit, a fast-moving, food-and-development-heavy episode rooted in what's changing on the ground in metro Detroit.

Jer is joined by Devon O'Reilly and Norris Howard for a full-table conversation that spans ballparks, the best places to eat, and big bets on Dearborn's future.

The crew starts with Opening Day, as Norris recounts one of the most beautiful Tigers home openers he's ever seen — complete with a cautionary tale about trying to outdo his dad.

Devon then takes us to Midtown for a deep dive on Mad Nice as a rare, reliable "power lunch" spot, breaking down its cocktail program, menu, and why its scale, aesthetics, and backing have given it real staying power past the three-year mark.

From there, the conversation shifts to huge news for the region: Detroit and the Great Lakes are now eligible for Michelin stars. Jer, Devon, and Norris build their own shortlist of contenders — from Freya and Seldon Standard to London Chop House, Ladder 4, Grey Ghost, Saffron De Twah, and more — while debating consistency, creativity, and what a first star should reward.

The focus turns west to Dearborn, where the former Hyatt/Edward Hotel site moves toward a major hotel-and-residential redevelopment, and Ford plans a massive "World Headquarters South" campus that will bring thousands of employees, Ford Performance, and new amenities to the city.

Plus, we get into the Detroit Grand Prix that's starting to get set up, and coming renovations at the Motor City Casino Hotel.

Rundown:

03:06 - Where we've been: Mad Nice

07:36 - Which Detroit restaurant should get a Michelin Star first?

16:04 - Dearborn Hotel Rebuild?

17:23 - Ford World HQ South Plans

19:47 - Detroit Grand Prix is starting their setup work

22:20 - Major Motor City Casino Renovation

Teen Takeovers; More Neighbors, Fewer Empty Offices; and More Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

On today's Daily Detroit, I'm joined by the Prince of Brightmoor himself, Norris Howard, for a conversation about what kind of city and community we actually want to build.

We start with the University of Michigan men's basketball national championship, how a starting five of transfers signals a new era in college hoops, and why I'm choosing some hope for the Detroit Pistons.

From there, we dive into the recent "teen takeover" downtown and what really happened versus the panic you might have seen on social media.

Norris talks about growing up in the city, why big groups of kids have always gathered somewhere when the weather turns nice, and how race, class, and whose property we value shape which crowds we call a "problem."

We also kick around what it would mean to actually welcome young people downtown with spaces and programming designed for them.

Then we pivot to a new Rocket Mortgage survey on the "neighborhood paradox" — most of us say community matters, but only a fraction really know our neighbors.

Norris makes the case that HOAs are "the death of the neighborhood," and we swap stories about block‑level care, watching each other's kids, and why I chose to live in a part of Detroit where people still show up for one another.

We close with Detroit's surge in office‑to‑residential conversions, from the RenCen and Penobscot to the Guardian, Fisher, and beyond, and imagine a dream list of buildings that should be filled with new Detroiters instead of empty floors.

Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com.

Make sure you're following us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to shows!

Building Thriving‑Class Neighborhoods with Life Remodeled Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Today I'm at the table at TechTown with Life Remodeled president and CEO Diallo Smith, along with Norris Howard.

We get into how this Detroit‑based nonprofit is transforming vacant school buildings into "opportunity hubs" that connect entire families to education, jobs, and essential services in their own neighborhoods.

Diallo walks us through the rebirth of Durfee Intermediate as the Durfee Innovation Society on the West Side, now home to more than 30 nonprofits and social impact partners, and shares how neighbors themselves shaped which programs moved in.

We also talk about Life Remodeled's next big project on the East Side at the former Dominican / Winan Academy campus, including a 700‑seat theater and a planned 26,000‑square‑foot tech education addition with room for everything from esports to advanced training.

Along the way, we get into why the future of the Detroit region is fundamentally tied to the future of Detroit's neighborhoods, what thousands of volunteers accomplish in the Six Day Project each year, and why investing in arts, culture, and opportunity on our blocks is really about rebuilding the heart of this region. More: https://liferemodeled.org/

Don't forget to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows. We also have a full transcript up on our Daily Detroit website.

How Detroit Plans to Add (and Keep) More People Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

Detroit is finally seeing population growth and net positive migration — and a new coalition called Move Detroit wants to keep that momentum going.

Our guest is Hilary Doe, president and CEO of MoveDetroit, to unpack a new incentive fund paid for by a number of partners, the Make Detroit Home program, and a neighborhood ambassador effort designed to keep and attract residents, entrepreneurs, and creatives.

Details include:

Up to $500,000 total in benefits distributed to 313 current and future Detroit residents.
Select participants can receive $15,000 to use for a business investment or work project, a down payment, home renovation, or other housing subsidy (including rent support).
Other selected applicants are eligible for $1,000 in relocation or quality‑of‑life support, which can cover moving costs, security deposits, or things like gym memberships, kayaking lessons, or meal delivery from local restaurants.

We dig into why population growth matters for tax base and small businesses, how this work is funded, and why Hilary believes Detroit can become one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest if the strategy stays driven by Detroiters themselves.

Learn more: https://www.movedetroit.com/

Detroit TV Drama, Maccabees Fire, and Big Week in Sports Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

Jer and Devon start with the smoky scare at Wayne State's historic Maccabees building, sharing on-the-ground details, Detroit trivia, and memories of brunches past.

Then they dig into Devon's annoyance at the Xfinity vs. WXYZ/Channel 7 standoff, what these carriage disputes say about legacy media, and how more people are getting pushed toward cord-cutting and algorithms for local news.

And finally, they celebrate the Pistons clinching the Central Division, lament the Red Wings' latest collapse, and look ahead to what's shaping up to be a beautiful Tigers Opening Day in downtown Detroit.

From Old Houses to New Hopes: Detroit State of the City Roundtable Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield delivered her first State of the City at Mumford High School, and we're unpacking what it really means for everyday Detroiters. Host Jer Staes is joined by Norris Howard and Outlier Media civic life reporter Briana Rice to dig into homeownership and repair, wages and affordable housing, transit, retail corridors, youth programs, safety initiatives, and more.

They also talk about what was left out of the speech — and how much of the city's future will depend on local dollars and neighborhood-level follow-through.

Follow Briana's work here: https://outliermedia.org/author/briana-rice/

Full unofficial livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/VQMsqsyXMeY?si=mlHUIDdmcBF8EX9r&t=7846

Dear Restaurants: Here's Why We Don't Come Back Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

We LOVE going out. We love a great time at a great restaurant - and it doesn't have to be fancy to be great. But in recent years, we've seen some doozies and instead of calling out specific places, this is our combination love letter and grievance list for hospitality in Metro Detroit.

Me and engineer of alcohol and audio Randy dig into the real reasons diners don't come back to restaurants, bars, and shops, from missing addresses on social to chaotic hours and confusing menus.

We share practical, low-cost fixes businesses can make right now, including clearer parking info, better web and map listings, sane gratuity policies, and dialing in music and TVs for actual conversation instead of noise.

Whether you run a spot in Detroit or the suburbs, or you're just tired of stunt dishes and bad vibes, this conversation is full of specific examples and ideas to make going out feel worth it again.

Thanks to our members on Patreon for keeping us going! https://www.patreon.com/c/DailyDetroit

Lion Cubs, Lost Pints, and a Billionaire Belle Isle Boondoggle Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back from the weekend! Norris and Jer dig into:

The names of three new lion cubs at the Detroit Zoo
We unpack the quiet closure of Midtown's Jolly Pumpkin, what it meant to the neighborhood, and what to expect from the new concept coming in.
There's a viral $50 billion "Freedom City" plan to turn Belle Isle into an exclusive enclave. But in their view, it's hype, not hopeful.
And we close with the suddenly controversial parking rules facing Stellantis workers who don't drive company brands — but this is the way it's been at factories and facilities for many years.

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

Make sure to follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows.

Trying Medusa + Tuhama's; MI Senate Primary Poll Talk; Data Center Questions Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Jer and Devon talk the issues of the day:

01:55 - Trying Medusa in Detroit (Where we've been) - also see Engineer Randy's first look review: https://www.dailydetroit.com/midtowns-dining-scene-keeps-leveling-up-inside-the-new-medusa-cucina-siciliana/

05:55 - Trying Tuhama's in Dearborn (Where we've been)

11:44 - Metro Detroit's economic concerns; and AI Data Centers need to make their case to local communities

27:44 - Michigan Democratic Senate Primary Poll Talk (it's a tight race)

Apathocracy, New Detroit Zoo Stuff, Jack in the Box coming + More Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Hey friends! Your Daily Detroit is here with Jer and Norris, talking all things Metro Detroit. The Rundown:

04:55 - ICE Facility Fight is hot in Romulus

12:30 - Jack in the Box coming to Metro Detroit, with Westland first

15:51 - The Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is getting new adventure trails

19:52 - Old Comerica Building sold: Speculation on what's next? Plus a little history

25:55 - GM will have more semi-autonomous vehicles on Michigan's streets

30:23 - Apathocracy - the idea that more people need to be plugged in and care (and the down mood on jobs in a Gallup poll)

If you don't already, make sure to follow Daily Detroit in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get shows.

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