Featured Stories

On the Ground: Looking toward the future

Claire Nelson Tuesday, August 06, 2013

In this week's installment of our summer series in Osborn, Claire Nelson talks to Ronisha Bannerman, who graduated with honors and is on her way to Grand Valley State. But in the long term, she wants to help change the perception of her neighborhood.

Building Communities, Detroit, On the Ground, Osborn, Sense of Place

East Side

On the Ground: Party in a hut (what?)

Model D staff Tuesday, August 06, 2013

There will be music and healthy, local food at this late summer party this Saturday in the Osborn community. Some of the local leaders we've been profiling in the On the Ground series will be there. Big fun meets neighborhood innovation and collaboration. Mark your calendars.

Detroit, On the Ground, Osborn, Sense of Place

East Side

UIX: Cecelia Sharpe and Urban Stringz II Youth Ensemble

Tunde Wey Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Urban Stringz, an ensemble founded by Cecelia Sharpe, develops students' musical talents and abilities in addition to exposing them to our culturally rich and diverse society. Detroit, take note. Tunde Wey reports.

Arts, Detroit, Performing Arts, Social innovation

Opinion: Despite Detroit bankruptcy, architects must imagine better built environment

Frank X. Arvan Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Frank X. Arvan, president of AIA Detroit, says everyone is invited to be part of the vision and reality of the region's future. He longs for diversity, density and projects that promote the common good.

Architecture, Building Communities, Detroit, Development

Model D Speaker Series: Creative cities, the next generation

Model D staff Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Join us this Thursday to hear from innovative educators on both sides of the state who are pushing the needle to ensure our city kids are bright, inquisitive and ready to tackle the challenges of the future. Register now.

City Kids, Detroit

On the Ground: Nurturing political activism in Osborn

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, July 30, 2013

An old school neighborhood advocacy group with roots in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, the Youth Inititiaves Project (YIP) carries weight and street cred in Osborn. Matthew Lewis introduces us to the man who makes it all happen in this installment of On the Ground.

Detroit, On the Ground, Osborn, Sense of Place

East Side

Detroit by District: Making Jefferson corridor clean and safe

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, July 30, 2013

A program that deploys off duty Detroit Police officers to help patrol East Jefferson neighborhoods from the Villages to the Grosse Pointe Park border is beginning to pay dividends. Matthew Lewis goes for a ride to the lower east side for this report.

Building Communities, Detroit, Sense of Place, Urban Leadership

Jefferson East

Global Detroit: Attracting immigrants key to Detroit growth

Francis Grunow, Kurt Metzger and Steve Tobocman Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The authors make a powerful point that the lack of new immigrant populations and diversity in Detroit has contributed to population loss and disinvestment in the city. They also propose solutions to help atteact and retain foreign-born residents.

Building Communities, Choosing Michigan, Detroit, Immigration, Move to Detroit, Social innovation

UIX: Audra Carson and De:Tread

Tunde Wey Tuesday, July 23, 2013

This enterprising group provides solutions to tire blight with the result being cleaner, healthier and safer Detroit neighborhoods. Tunde Wey talks to founder Audra Carson in the Osborn neighborhood.

Detroit, Osborn, Social innovation, Transformational change

On the Ground: Changing the culture of learning

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Students at the Brenda Scott Academy are not part of a traditional academic setting. They have longer school days and remain in class 11 months out of the year. Matthew Lewis spent time there last week and witnessed good things beginning to develop.

City Kids, Detroit, On the Ground, Osborn, Social innovation, Transformational change

East Side

Detroit rallies round the G.A.R. once again and what that means for downtown

Francis Grunow Tuesday, July 23, 2013

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.

Detroit, Redevelopment, Reuse / Rebuild, Sense of Place

Downtown Detroit

Opinion: Bankruptcy, the beginning of another opportunity

Matthew Naimi Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Matthew Naimi has made an impact working on food, land use and recyling issues. He has run for City Council and worked on youth programs with the Detroit Public Schools. He says bankruptcy provides us with a real plan, perhaps for the first time.

Detroit, Transformational change

On the ground and running

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Welcome to Osborn, where writer Matthew Lewis is spending the summer reporting on all the small but important things that build community life in a Detroit neighborhood. Where does the energy begin? At the Benjamin Franklin branch of the Detroit Public Library.

Building Communities, Detroit, On the Ground, Osborn, Redevelopment

East Side

Whole lotta local foods love

Noelle Lothamer Tuesday, July 16, 2013

When Whole Foods Market planned its Midtown location it also made sure to include the products of Detroit food innovators and entrepreneurs on its shelves. Food writer Noelle Lothamer takes us down the aisles to show us where the local stuff stacks up.

Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Food and Drink, Shop Local

Midtown

Locavore shopping list: Our guide to Detroit vendors at WFM

Noelle Lothamer Tuesday, July 16, 2013

The local food scene is booming in Detroit, and it's reflected in the choices available to shoppers at Midtown's Whole Foods Market. Noelle Lothamer gives us a taste what you can find there.

Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Food and Drink, Small Business

Midtown