Daily Detroit

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Working across city borders, transit, dealing with change and more w/ State Rep. Mike McFall Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

Today on the show, my guest is State Representative Mike McFall. The 8th House District he serves spans from Madison Heights, through Hazel Park, and into Detroit down into Midtown.

Our conversation is wide-ranging and talks about bridging divides between the city and suburbs, transit, changes in our region in the last couple of decades, and a lot more.

Before going to Lansing, Mike served as a councilperson in Hazel Park, with one of his focuses being on improving the downtown district.

The Rundown:

03:02 - The issue with calling Hazel Park "Hazeltucky"

04:15 - It's not your fathers Hazel Park

07:35 - New residents coming in

08:13 - Where young professionals are really going - Hazel Park, Madison Heights, etc.

10:51 - In many ways, the intersection of I-696 and I-75 is a huge draw say realtors

12:10 - With so many changes, it's time to update the mental map about Metro Detroit

13:54 - How do you handle the responsibility of a house district spanning so many communities with differences in their needs

17:46 - The inner ring areas have changed dramatically

18:37 - Starting a transit caucus in the state legislature

22:46 - What would you say to a constiuent who is against transit?

23:38 "I don't know how else we're gonna move our region forward without transit"

24:10 - Do you have a vision of what that could look like?

24:40 - What about public-private partnerships to fund transit?

27:26 - What are things you're looking forward to in 2024?

29:14 - What do you say to people frustrated with legislative progress in 2023?

Thanks to today's sponsor, City Bird Detroit. Support the businesses that support us this holiday season.

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

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

Thanks to our members: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Or those who do a one-time contribution: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit

Should food trucks be restricted? And how much? Dec 15, 2023

Show notes

Devon O'Reilly is in for his Friday appearance. We talk about a few thigns around town, but the big focus of conversation is food trucks. Where should they be allowed? Do they compete with local businesses? Devon has some strong opinions about a proposed ordinance in Dearborn that would put some strong limits on them.

The rundown:

Where we've been:

01:50 - CIBO is open in the Cambria, and it looks amazing

04:27 - Jer went to see Waitress the Musical movie with Sara Bareilles at the Birmingham 8. Good show, historic theater.

Stories:

07:02 - Dearborn food truck ordinance discussion (would love your feedback and opinions) Rapid fire food news

18:56 - Caribou coffee drive thru opening in Ferndale on Monday. Do drive-thrus work for you? Do you prefer a coffeeshop to sit in?

21:27 - Batch Brewing has launched a full menu

22:21 - Cinema Detroit finds a pop-up home in Planet Ant in Hamtramck

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

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

Thanks to our members: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Or those who do a one-time contribution: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit

Unwrapping a new Michigan poll: Investment over tax cuts; Education worries Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

A new poll from the Detroit Regional Chamber and Glengariff Group shows that Michigan voters are for investing in infrastructure over tax cuts; that there's real concerns about our education system making us uncompetitive, and more.

Norris Howard is back after a week on the west coast.

00:52 - A few words about Norris' trip to San Francisco

06:01 - We unpack the most recent Detroit Regional Chamber voter poll. From investing to education to job availability for young people, there are concerns. Would love your feedback, and here's a link to the thing: https://www.detroitchamber.com/poll-michigan-residents-worry-about-economic-competitiveness-and-lagging-public-schools/

22:35 - Our new segment, "Tell me something good," and today we feature the Holiday Market happening this Saturday at the Fisher Building in partnership with TechTown. Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/368524632328882?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

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

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

Thanks to our members: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Or those who do a one-time contribution: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit

The Icon of Incompletion // 2023 Big Development Themes // Vacant Tall Buildings Sold Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

Robin Runyan from Urbanize Detroit joins us today to give a bit of an update on development stories around town and answer a listener question.

Can the Belle Isle Boathouse be saved? We discuss.
We talk about what could be Detroit's icon of incompletion, the long-stalled Perfecting Church project at Seven Mile and Woodward. There's a new deal to get it going, but community (and our) skepticism after 20 years of lack of progress is high.
A pair of buildings in Corktown that have sat vacant for years have been sold, raising hopes they'd be redeveloped. Robin shares the details and we discuss.
A new affordable housing project kicks off in Southwest Detroit on Michigan Avenue.
Robin has three big development themes for 2023. We get into them and why they matter.
If you're a listener who comes in from out of town, how do you get from the airport now to wherever you're going?
And she answers a listener question.

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

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

Thanks to our members: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Or those who do a one-time contribution: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit

Should the NHL take concussions more seriously? // Lions vibe deteriorating // Steinwascher returns Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

Fletcher Sharpe is in studio to talk about the Lions, Dylan Larkin's situation, and Detroit City FC re-signing Nate Steinwascher.

01:03 - Detroit City FC re-signs Nate Steinwascher, more to come

06:16 - The vibe is deteriorating with the Lions. There's time to pull up, but they need to stop making mistakes.

14:25 - We dsicuss the idea that maybe the NHL and hockey in general needs to take concussions more seriously, and that violence is part of what makes sports popular in America. Fletcher says if they took the fighting out of hockey, it'd fall behind soccer to the fifth sport here.

17:56 - Listener Dana writes in about their frustration we don't blame the referees

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

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

Thanks to our members: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Or those who do a one-time contribution: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit

Lessons learned running a bar in Detroit since 2005 Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

What does it take to run a bar and restaurant?

When Owen Burke and his business partner Tony Piraino first ran a bar called Pulse in 2005, the building they were leasing got demolished by the city for future progress.

So they changed concepts, got a hold of a historic building in Greektown, and opened Firebird Tavern in 2013.

A decade in one concept is quite the accomplishment in their industry.

And recently, they expanded with a second location in Troy, Michigan. In this honest conversation at the Daily Detroit studio at TechTown, we talk about the ups, the challenges, and a lot more.

Show notes:

02:21 - History of the building in Greektown and introductions

06:17 - Why do a second location in Troy?

06:44 - The harsh impact of COVID on business, and the long-term changes

08:02 - Traffic feels down in Downtown Detroit to 2008, pre-bankruptcy levels and patterns

10:51 - Extensive plans to convert Monroe Street to be more pedestrian friendly, thoughts and impact

11:51 - The timing of I-375 project matters and it's all interlocked

12:40 - Hard business lessons from the Avenue of Fashion closures on Livernois and businesses closed

13:39 - Lessons learned since 2005 on making a place go

15:06 - Everyone will bring you a Bud Light. What's different about your spot?

17:11 - On keeping staff

19:42 - Biggest changes in the Greektown neighborhood over the years

20:40 - Wrestling with negative headlines for Greektown and addressing issues late at night

23:47 - How important are events like the NFL Draft, Opening Day, and Super Bowl?

26:37 - General advice for others wanting to start a bar or restaurant

30:14 - What to order at Firebird Tavern

34:54 - How to get business? Answer the phone. Follow up. Build the events business.

39:21 - Online ordering is a multiple times the volume in the suburbs than the city. The volume is almost non-existent downtown; in suburbs, it's a key part of business

40:10 - Who thought we'd be paying with our eyeballs? And the fact credit cards are everywhere when a lot used to be cash. Patrons are driving that change, since so few use cash now, credit card companies come with fees.

43:26 - Hopes for 2024

Thanks to today's sponsor, City Bird: https://www.citybirddetroit.com/

(To be clear, they had no impact on the content of the episode outside of their ad read)

Support the businesses that support us this holiday season.

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

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

hanks to our members: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Or those who do a one-time contribution: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit

Why developers turn apartments into condos, hotels // Trying Craig's Coffee Dec 08, 2023

Show notes

Happy Friday! Three topics for today's show:

>> What we're drinking: Craig's Coffee. The independent shop recently opened on Peterboro near Cass, and Devon popped in to try it and bring some to the studio (NOT sponsored)

Thanks to today's sponsor, Castalia at Sfumato. https://www.castaliacocktails.com/

Stories:

>> There's a change in rail proposals that would connect Toledo, Cleveland, Metro Airport and Detroit via Amtrak. Literally, thanks Ohio - as it's part of a wider plan lobbied by one of their Senators. https://www.crainsdetroit.com/transportation/amtrak-proposal-would-link-detroit-dtw-toledo-cleveland

https://www.brown.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/sherrod-brown-announces-first-step-expanding-amtrak-ohio

>> With the conversion of the Hammer and Nail building from apartments to an extended stay hotel, it's the perfect opportunity to discuss why developers may take the apartments they built off the market and convert them (commonly) to condominiums or extended stay hotels. Since the condo market in Detroit is pretty soft, extended hotel stay it is... and Devon even used to live in this building a few years ago.

More: https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2023/12/05/midtown-detroit-office-tower-plaza-marriott-hotel/71811326007/

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

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

Thanks to our members: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Or those who do a one-time contribution: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit

Trying Kiss Detroit Rock City rum // Randy's first QLINE ride // New shops? Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

Happy Wednesday! Engineer Randy Walker is in the studio today filling in for Norris Howard who is on the road this week. 00:56 - We try Kiss - themed Detroit Rock City rum.

Because why not?

05:39 - Randy's lived in the city of Detroit proper for about a year now, but the other night was his first QLINE experience, and although in the region for years his first Noel Night. We talk about it.

12:13 - There's a series of shops teased to come to downtown Detroit, we discuss.

20:05 - Engineer Randy has been a big part of setting up the studio at Techtown, and we talk a bit about it from a tech perspective.

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

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

Thanks to our members: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Or those who do a one-time contribution: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit

Shianne's small and local business shopping tips across Metro Detroit Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

Producer Shianne Nocerini is a bit of a lover of shopping local, so she's in the Daily Detroit studio at Techtown to share some of her favorites to the North, East, South and West.

Plus, we talk about her checking out the Frozen musical (playing now), Noel Night highlights and the difference between a Sousaphone and a Tuba.

00:58 - Frozen musical preview

05:02 - Sousaphone vs tuba and my mis-instrumenting

06:18 - Noel Night highlights

09:28 - Shianne's small business Metro Detroit shopping guide

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

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

Thanks to our members: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Or those who do a one-time contribution: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit

Jim Leyland Hall of Fame love // Can the Pistons pull up? // Lions, Michigan talk Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

Hello and welcome back from the weekend. Today's show is a busy one.

00:41 - Lions talk as they beat the Saints. There's pluses and minuses.

08:43 - Michigan is going to face Alabama after crushing Iowa. Some first takes.

13:19 - The Pistons are losing a lot. Like, a lot a lot. Could be a record amoung of losing. What's next?

18:48 - Jim Leyland, former Detroit Tigers manager, has been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Well deserved, and we discuss.

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

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

Thanks to our members: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Or those who do a one-time contribution: http://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit

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