Featured Stories

Open City recapped: "Loca-what?"

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Cliff Bell's was packed with people interested hearing a panel of experts involved in the world of "Loca-vesting," or sourcing funding locally from companies and individuals located in the same community. Matthew Lewis reports from the crowd.

Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Small Business, Social innovation

Downtown Detroit

On the Ground: Reinvesting in power of education

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Nearly 20 years ago, 167,000 students were enrolled in Detroit Public Schools. Today, only 49,000 students attend school in the district, leaving over 150 vacant buildings. Matthew Lewis talks to a group working to repurpose one of them into a trade school in Brightmoor.

Architecture, Brightmoor, City Kids, Detroit, Redevelopment, Reuse / Rebuild, Sense of Place, Transformational change

Music is missing link in Detroit recovery

Keith Owens Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Essayist Keith Owens says Detroit needs to polish off its 'international gold standard' as a music city and re-emerge as a creative powerhouse to rival Memphis and New Orleans, at the very least. Let's start by helping to keep local talent in the city, he says.

Arts, Building Communities, Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Lifestyle, Nightlife , Performing Arts, Sense of Place, Social innovation

UIX: Joe Rashid and Restore the 'Moor

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Joe Rashid is the Outreach Director for Restore the 'Moor, a community-driven plan being developed by and for community members in Brightmoor. Matthew Lewis introduces the person and the project for the Urban Innovation Exchange.

Brightmoor, Building Communities, Detroit, Redevelopment, Sense of Place

Speaker Series: What can we learn from Brightmoor?

Model D staff Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Come to the Brightmoor Community Center on Wednesday, Dec. 11 to learn lessons that can inform what we do in other Detroit communities. The event features a group of panelists made up of engaged residents, neighborhood leaders, and creative thinkers.

Brightmoor, Building Communities, Detroit, On the Ground, Redevelopment, Sense of Place, Speaker Series, Urban Leadership

Dance Noel Night away at Model D house

Model D staff Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Yes, we're gonna party hard as part of the joyous Noel Night festivities in Midtown this Saturday, Dec. 7. And you're all invited. Come meet some of our staff and contributors, drink and eat a little, then hit our dance floor. Good times in the North Cass Corridor assured.

Arts, Building Communities, Detroit, Nightlife , Performing Arts, Sense of Place, Social Networking

Midtown

Green Grocer: University Commons and beyond

Nicole Rupersburg Tuesday, December 03, 2013

Our food shopping tour across the city continues in North Central Detroit, where Nicole Rupersburg visits full-service markets offering fresh produce, meats, fish and other home cooking staples. Marvin Shaouni captures it all with his camera.

Food and Drink, Lifestyle, Shop Local, Small Business

University Commons - Palmer Park

Green Grocer: Fresh food shopping on Detroit's Lower East Side

Nicole Rupersburg Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Our food shopping tour across the city continues on the Lower East Side, where Nicole Rupersburg visits full-service markets offering fresh produce, meats, fish and other home cooking staples. Marvin Shaouni dropped in with his camera.

Building Communities, Entrepreneurs, Food and Drink, Shop Local, Small Business

East Side

Zipcars bring pay-by-the-hour motoring to the Motor City

NIna Ignaczak Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Living without a car has never been easy in Detroit. But with Zipcar’s recent launch of a fleet of 40 vehicles across the city, the car-free dream just got a little easier. Nina Ignaczak looks at how the program works, Marvin Shaouni shows us visual proof.

Detroit, Sustainability, Transit

Downtown Detroit, Midtown

City kids: Young Detroiters finding a voice

Melinda Clynes Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Supporters of youth advocacy programs say that when youth are a part of the solution they can help transform neighborhoods, schools, and communities -- and stay out of trouble in the mean time. Melinda Clynes makes the case in this report.

City Kids, Detroit

On the Ground: Center of Brightmoor community life

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, November 19, 2013

A neighborhood gathering place built by residents 84 years ago, the Brightmoor Community Center has overcome financial distress to create a collaborative environment at the corner of Lyndon and Burt roads. Matthew Lewis visits and reports.

Brightmoor, Building Communities, Detroit, On the Ground

UIX: Ritchie Harrison and Jefferson East Inc.

MJ Galbraith Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Ritchie Harrison is the economic development director for Jefferson East Inc., an organization that focuses on the revitalization of neighborhoods along the East Jefferson corridor. MJ Galbraith has the rest of the story for Urban Innovation Exchange.

Building Communities, Detroit, Redevelopment, Social innovation

Jefferson East

Happy Thanksgiving, see you in December

Model D staff Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Eat some great food, drink some great drinks and enjoy the next couple of weeks without us. We'll look for you at the parade or at some cozy craft cocktail party. Be safe, you'll see us again Dec. 3.

Detroit

IdeaLab: A look into the future

Model D staff Tuesday, November 12, 2013

We're excited to partner again with the Revitalization and Business Conference this Friday, Dec. 6. Presented by the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, "IdeaLab" is a fast-paced, two-hour session with a stellar line-up of Detroit innovators.

Arts, Detroit, Entrepreneurs, Move to Detroit, Redevelopment, Small Business, Social innovation, Sustainability

On the Ground: From radical to reverend in Brightmoor

Matthew Lewis Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Focusing efforts on his personal vision for Brightmoor, Rev. Larry Simmons is intent on creating a neighborhood that is "saved, prospering, peaceful, diverse, engaged, and empowered." Matthew Lewis reports on how the pastor's church is involved in neighborhood redevelopment.

Brightmoor, Building Communities, Detroit, On the Ground, Sense of Place, Urban Leadership