Hello friends, this is Jer.
It was my birthday this week. I think back to the Detroit I knew 25 years ago, where I lived and worked.
How many changes have there been in the city that I know, where I live and work today.
For example, I had my birthday drink in Kamper’s Rooftop Lounge. This is on the base of the Book Building and Tower, which was built over 100 years ago. The bar was like something out of a high-profile architectural centerfold and offered a sweeping view of downtown.
This view includes Hudson’s Tower, a full circle moment for me as one of my first media jobs was at WDIV-TV4. The first big thing I worked on was the demolition of the old department store on this site.
Is it different from the old building? Sure. But does it bring it back into place and center the city center on this place again? Yes.
The Book Tower looks very different today than it did when I visited it a quarter of a century ago. The ground on which this glass art stands was once a huge open-air dovecote. This beauty was completely covered, dirty and damaged.
I remember looking at the other side of that blanket and it drove me crazy that anyone would think we would respect our city that way.
Anyway, cheers to (well) over 40 years. Still alive. Still active.
As always, my thoughts on stories are in italics.
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👀 Eye Spy
CommodiTees comes to the West Village neighborhood in Detroit. Thanks to Randy Walker for sharing on our members-only Discord. After being in pop-up mode for a while, they will be taking over the space that housed Frenchie’s Sandwich Shop at 8100 Kercheval. It’s across the street from the much-lauded Sister Pie.
📰 What you should know
🚐 The City of Detroit will launch a free autonomous and all-electric pilot shuttle service called “The Connect” this Tuesday, August 13th.
The shuttle runs a 10.8-mile loop from Corktown through downtown Detroit to the East Jefferson Riverfront. During rush hours, the shuttle arrives every 10 to 15 minutes. Some notable stops include Michigan Central, Campus Martius, and Rivertown Market.
Initially, the shuttles will be piloted by a human to adjust to operations and verify autonomous functions. A safety officer will be present at all times.
Project partners include the City of Detroit, Bedrock, Michigan Central and the State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. Perrone Robotics will provide the autonomous vehicle technology.
The service is free and operates Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Passengers can track the shuttles in real time via this link.
We’ll talk about it tomorrow on the Daily Detroit podcast and plan to revisit the topic next week.
🚏 A third of Detroit’s buses are now out of service, resulting in canceled buses and delays. This shortage reportedly affects around 96 of the fleet’s 292 buses. The blame is being placed on delayed bus replacement flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. The shortage has led to longer wait times and increased stress for bus operators. (Detroit News)
Detroit plans to receive 45 new buses by next spring and summer.
I’m probably one of the few writers who writes about Detroit and rides the bus on a semi-regular basis, and I can tell you: A solution needs to be found soon, not in 2025 or 2026.
Personally, I have often seen a bus break down on a busy route like Woodward and the next bus is packed and slow, while the intercity buses pass by with plenty of space and speed. But because we have two separate systems that barely work together, we cannot redistribute buses to where there is a need.
🚍 In the suburbs, there is a new contract between SMART (the suburban bus system) and drivers that includes a 32% pay increase. That means long-term employees will receive wages of over $32 an hour, among the highest in the state. (Freep) (SMART)
🗳️ Will Detroit run for Kamala Harris? Voter turnout in Detroit was low in the primary election. We discuss that in our latest episode of the show, as well as the race we think failed U.S. Senate candidate Hill Harper could have won. (Daily Detroit)
🕵️ Another invasive species is found in Michigan. The spotted lanternfly is spreading across the state, including in the Detroit metropolitan area. We spoke to an expert about how to find and eliminate it. (Daily Detroit)
💝 Popular local chocolatier Bon Bon Bon is expanding to Boston. Over the years they have been very successful in Detroit, Ferndale and Ann Arbor. (Instagram)
🏟️ Companies affiliated with Detroit City FC have purchased even more land around the proposed stadium site in Corktown. Crain’s reports that they have acquired an additional 8.25 acres for $6 million. With this expansion, their total acreage is nearly 14 acres, including an abandoned 250,000 square foot hospital that will be demolished to make way for a 14,000 seat stadium. (Crain’s Detroit)
🧱 Michigan Central Station has had more than 100,000 visitors since its grand reopening in June, and due to popular demand, public viewing will be extended through Labor Day weekend.
Station hours will be extended on September 1 and 2. Self-guided tours will continue every Friday and Saturday through August 31. Additional guided tour options will be announced soon.
If you made it this far, thanks for reading – and be sure to tell a friend about these notes!
Remember that you are someone
-Jer
