Featured Stories

Playing house on the porous border

Matthew Piper Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Creative transformations are happening in the neighborhood immediately north of Hamtramck, where groups like Power House Productions and the Hinterlands are joining art with community life. Matthew Piper gets experienced at the Play House on Moran St.

Arts, Building Communities, Detroit, Performing Arts, Placemaking, Sense of Place

UIX: Khalilah Gaston and Vanguard CDC

Amanda Lewan Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The Vanguard mission is to lead the revitalization of the physical, social, and economic fabric of Detroit's North End, and to expand the possibilities for the neighborhood after decades of disinvestment. Amanda Lewan takes a closer look.

Building Communities, Detroit, North End, Sense of Place, Social innovation, Urban Leadership

Open City: Pop-up Detroit, starting slow and small

Model D staff Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Make a note of it: Open City returns next Monday at the Park Bar, not at Cliff Bell's per usual. A panel of Detroit business owners will share their experiences starting up a pop-up.

Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Shop Local, Small Business

Downtown Detroit

Let it flow: Breweries play role in Detroit�s turnaround

Joe Baur Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Detroit is bouncing back with, among other things, beer. Businesses like Atwater, the Detroit Beer Co, Motor City Brewing Works and Traffic Jam & Snug have established a good foundation for growth, with room for plenty more. Joe Baur says cheers to that.

Detroit, Food and Drink, Sense of Place

East Riverfront, Downtown Detroit, Midtown

BRT in Cleveland: No mistake by the lake

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Bus rapid transit, which is less expensive and more flexible than light or heavy rail options, has been bandied about as a viable means for mass transit in Detroit. Matthew Lewis went south of the Michigan border to check out one of the premier systems in the nation.

Detroit, Tours, Transit, Transit-Oriented Development

Embracing Detroit music as economic, cultural force

Keith Owens Tuesday, March 04, 2014

In December, we began examining the role Detroit music plays in the city's past, present and future. We continue the discussion in a three-part series that focuses on the cultural and economic impact of the local scenes. Keith Owens goes looking for people with ideas.

Arts, Building Communities, Detroit, Music, Performing Arts, Sustainability

Midtown

Hamtown rocks!

MJ Galbraith Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Hamtramck is a rock 'n' roll town, no doubt about it. When the Blowout decided to split time with Ferndale, some Hamtown folks decided to step up and fill up the first weekend of March with groovy, rockin' local bands. MJ Galbraith leans in for this preview.

Arts, Building Communities, Lifestyle, Music, Nightlife , Performing Arts, Placemaking, Sense of Place, Social Networking

Hamtramck

UIX: Alessandra Carreon and Better Block Detroit

Amanda Lewan Tuesday, March 04, 2014

This is an effort to raise awareness of complete streets, placemaking methods, and the potential for healthy, vibrant neighborhoods in the city. Amanda Lewan introduces us to Alessandra Carreon and Better Block Detroit.

Detroit, Social innovation

Deadline approaches for Knight Arts Challenge

Model D staff Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Community info and Q&A sessions are being held in Hamtramck, Southwest Detroit, Northwest Detroit, Midtown and downtown March 24-28. Deadline for applications is April 7.

Arts, Building Communities, Detroit, Social innovation

Hamtramck, Downtown Detroit, Midtown, Southwest Detroit, Mexicantown

Andres Duany: Community building through 'Lean Urbanism'

Andr�s Duany Tuesday, February 25, 2014

In this piece adapted from an article written for Fortune Magazine, icon of New Urbanism Duany suggests another, more de-regulated model for Detroit growth and development. As always, we welcome reader comments and robust debate.

Architecture, Building Communities, Detroit, Move to Detroit, Placemaking

Open City recapped: 'Every person is a brand'

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, February 25, 2014

This month's forum took place at Cliff Bell's as usual and was the kickoff event for the first ever #DetroitWeek, a celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation in the city. Matthew Lewis sat in with his notebook.

Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Shop Local, Small Business

Downtown Detroit

Paczki mayhem begins with wintry run through Hamtramck

Kelli Kavanaugh Tuesday, February 25, 2014

The Tour de Troit-sponsered 5K PaczKi Run is set for this Saturday, But that's just the beginning of a Mardi Gras-esque week of fun, fun, fun in Hamtown. Kelli Kavanaugh tells us how to prepare and what we should check out.

Arts, Building Communities, Detroit, Dining, Food and Drink, Nightlife , Performing Arts, Placemaking, Sense of Place

Hamtramck

Dan Dirks: Building on 'heart and soul' of DDOT

Nina Ignaczak Tuesday, February 25, 2014

A city bus system can only withstand so much disinvestment, and DDOT is on the brink. Mayor Mike Duggan recently appointed Dan Dirks, former SMART manager, to lead DDOT’s turnaround effort. Model D spoke with Dirks to find out how he plans to get the system back on track.

Detroit, Transit, Urban Leadership

UIX: Social Club Grooming Company

Amy Kuras Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Social Club Grooming Co. provides environmentally friendly grooming services as well as health and beauty education to the Detroit community through socially responsible practices. Amy Kuras introduces us to innovator Sebastian Jackson.

Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Shop Local, Small Business, Social innovation, Sustainability

Midtown

Urban dwellers: Detroit attracting city lovers with adventurous spirit

Dennis Archambault Tuesday, February 18, 2014

They're coming from New York and from the suburbs to live in a great city at a transitional time in its history. Call them empty nesters or just call them people of good taste finding the lifestyle they seek in Detroit. Dennis Archambault talks to three recent transplants.

Building Communities, Detroit, Lifestyle, Move to Detroit

Downtown Detroit, University Commons - Palmer Park