Daily Detroit

Today we remember Chef Maxcel Hardy, who last week passed away unexpectedly at the age of 40.

He stopped by the studio back in 2018 for a great chat about his life, his businesses, his food and more.

A lot of was different in Detroit six years ago, and some is the same.

But that life story? Interesting. His personality? Warm. And there was so much more that happened after this conversation for him, like being named one of the 16 Best Black Chefs in America.

From Coop to Jed's to River Bistro to charity work and more, Hardy made a big impact in the culinary community.

The conversation is with my former co-host Sven Gustafson, who moved on during the pandemic to far bigger and better things over in the public relations space for a group of physicians.

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Devon O'Reilly is in as he is every Friday. But today, a couple of his favorite topics are the focus. St. Patrick's Day in Detroit, the parade, and the upcoming NFL Draft in downtown.

The rundown:

02:07 - All these years the Detroit Shipping company persists and continues to be "a spot."

02:47 - Reminding people to look up the impact of Chef Max Hardy who passed away all too early this week. On Eater: https://detroit.eater.com/2024/3/5/24091053/chef-maxcel-hardy-died-detroit-obituary

03:50 - Talking St. Patrick's Day parade and celebrations with an O'Reilly (and veteran of going down to Corktown for it)

09:24 - St. Patrick's Day food

10:56 - Green Beer: Yay or Nay?

14:43 - Devon's Horseradish bloody mary 

16:37 - NFL Draft downtown Detroit map discussion

20:37 - What is Devon most excited about for the Draft

22:33 - Will we catch a Kelce at the draft? 

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

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Producer Shianne is in the studio today, and we get into stories around town and a little podcast inside baseball.

00:46 - We learned we're the 17th best podcast between 20 and 29 minutes long! (oddly specific?) 

01:51 - A quick podcast tip as we've been sent a lot of podcasts lately (and it seems creating podcasts is back on the up): Introduce yourselves. This is not social media.

05:30 - Shianne is racing to finish the Barbra Streisand book before it has to be returned

07:51 - Turns out that explosion in Clinton Township wasn't just a run of the mill thing, there's a lot more that was going on. Between what they were storing, a large blast radius, and a tragic death of a bystander.

13:31 - The announcement that Rite Aid is closing on Woodward in Detroit got some local attention, but pharmacies and chains like it are in trouble across the country as the model of how people get their prescriptions change. Are we losing something? What do you prefer?

18:05 - It looks like Joann Fabrics is planning to file for bankruptcy. The crafty Shianne shares a couple places locally she shops to get what she wants.

You're part of this conversation! Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211

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Today's episode is in two parts.

First, there was a buck of listener feedback on the episode last week for Norris Howard. Since he's here, we dive in.

11:15 - Second, Jer had a piece in Crain's Detroit business in their "Forum" section on the future of local media titled "Being viral is a better strategy than going viral," and Norris has some questions for him. We talk about the shaky situation for local media in America and here in Detroit.

That the math, in so many cases, doesn't math. And some ideas on how to change that.

You can read that whole piece in Crain's here: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/crains-forum-local-journalism/media-outlets-should-focus-being-vital-not-going-viral

 You're part of this conversation! Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211

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Fletcher Sharpe is in - and we talk about a big demolition underway, the Tigers and Red Wings.

01:16 - The final parts of the Packard Plant are coming down, and Fletcher has thoughts. We also get into the taking down of the old Hannah YMCA on East Jefferson near Sinbads. We also get into what's next for the Packard site - or at least what the city administration is angling for.

08:31 - There's real optimisim for spring training for the Detroit Tigers.

12:54 - Dylan Larkin is out for two weeks, but it shouldn't be as concerning as last year.

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

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Despite the news today that the Packard Plant is having another section of it demolished, the reality is Detroit's season of demolition is sunsetting.

In a wide-ranging coversation with Detroit's Constructiona and Demolition Director LaJuan Counts, we talk about:

01:17 - What is her north star when dealing with how divise demolitions can be in the community? 

02:26 - What makes for a "Good Demo?" What are we looking for? What's changed over the years?

04:33 - What are the similarities and differences working in construction in the private sector vs. in the city of Detroit?

07:48 - How is the city handling prospective historic demolitions?

13:23 - How much demolition work is left in the city?

14:54 - We talk about the construction side of her job, including city facilities

16:00 - What's next after the demolitions wind down?

16:54 - What's it like being a black woman in a male dominated field? What has that journey been like?

19:40 - What did you think you knew that you learned different being in the job vs. when you came to it?

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

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Welcome to Friday! Devon O'Reilly is in and we're talking all things Detroit.

00:59 A first taste of two new places: Presley's in the David Whitney Building and Elephant and Co. in the old Founder's space in Midtown Detroit

12:16 - There's a lot of talk about elite and top colleges getting more media coverage than others. But is it in response to an alumni base that shows up? We've been talking about the big $3 billion development MSU is involved in in the city's New Center; but from feedback it's clear all people want more info on or pay attention to is the $250m University of Michigan center for Innovation. What's the real power of the Maize and Blue?

18:37 - There's a different vibe to some of the new things going in downtown. Yes, some unique stuff - but also, chains. From Chipotle to Chick-Fil-A to Dunkin, popular chains are coming back to downtown Detroit as part of a strategy to bring people down. We also discuss the 11,000+ jobs eliminated by a major employer and others switched to Warren that are changing the market down there.

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

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Time for a palette cleanser of an episode, where we keep it fun. Producer Shianne joins us in the studio at Techtown.

00:47 - Where we've been, from talking about Barbara Streisand's first non-New York performance in 1961 at the Caucus Club to Jer trying Super Crisp for the first time.

07:07 - Shianne gets into her favorite concerts and we talk about why concerts are the hot ticket right now

11:49 - We talk a bit about the upcoming Broadway in Detroit season, including Parade and The Wiz coming to town.

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

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The Michigan Primary was on Tuesday night, and Norris Howard is in with some thoughts on it (and other things around town).

01:03 - Norris is back from San Diego

02:55 - First time in the restored Book Tower in Detroit

04:37 - Unpacking the Michigan Primary. What does 100,000+ uncomitted voters mean? What about the general election? And how this political world is very different from 2012.

16:52 - Fast food chain Wendy's says they're rolling out AI-driven dynamic, or surge pricing, next year. And once one does it, it's real possible others will too. Norris makes the point that surge pricing with fast food is going to end up soaking the poor.

Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211 Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

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A dabbing panda? Fletcher Sharpe's culinary curiosity is piqued. Have you been? We discuss and will get back to you next week on what it's like. Plus, there's a playoff push for the Red Wings as they're in a wildcard spot; and the Detroit Lions re-sign kicker Michael Badgley.

01:07 - Dabbing panda at a gas station on the east side?

06:28 - Could the Red Wings actually make it back to the playoffs? They're in a good position.

12:10 - The Detroit Lions re-sign Michael Badgley. We talk about possible moves for the team and the salary cap changes.

We're working on directions for our sports and other coverage for 2024.

Send in feedback! We'd love to hear from you. Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211

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Detroit's first 3-D printed house is for sale on the city's east side. I talked with Citizen Robotics and builder on the project Fernando Bales about what they've learned, how they did it, and what's next.

Citizen Robotics: https://www.citizenrobotics.org/

Listing: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1444-Sheridan-St_Detroit_MI_48214_M39105-51367

Then, I'll send you out the door with two stories to know around town. 

Feedback as always - dailydetroit - at - gmail - dot - com or 313-789-3211 Follow us on Apple Podcasts: https://lnk.to/dailydetroitonapple

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We've made it to Friday! Let's talk Detroit stuff:

01:32 - Devon went to HIROKI-SAN in the Book Tower, and has thoughts.

03:44 - There's a new restaurant coming to the David Whitney Building, Presley's

06:47 - Two new hotels are apparently planned along Woodward. But will they actually happen? Skeptical.

11:36 - Mr. Chimetime has taken Metro Detroit by storm with his food reviews, but there's some top places we don't (think) he's visited yet that are in his carryout kinda vibe. So we figured we'd come up with a bunch we enjoy - and think you'll enjoy - whether he hears us or not. 

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

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What is up with that new "Hollywood" style sign going up ahead of the NFL Draft?

Now that there's a real rendering a lot of people have strong opinions one way or another. We discuss.

Plus more on the rundown:

00:46 - Shianne tries out the new Pie Sci in Oak Park; and there's a trip to Ikea (plus a song about it! Jonathan Coulton's "IKEA" played with Creative Commons license)

05:15 - A thoughtful listener email about Canton, how diverse it is and how she shares it's a great place to raise kids

10:58 - We discuss the $400,000+ sign that's going in ahead of the NFL Draft, and what we feel about it, from the AI rendering to the actual rendering that has some Detroiters mad. How do you feel about it?

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

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On your Daily Detroit for Wednesday, February 21st, 2024 - we’re going to talk about a new approach to attainable housing.

As you know, housing prices have been skyrocketing in the city, the region and the state. In fact, Detroit’s area housing prices rose faster than anywhere else in the country.

That’s putting the idea of owning a home out of reach, and maybe we need to look at some new ways of tackling this problem.

That’s where a new program, “Tomorrow’s Housing Innovation Showcase” might come in. In partnership between the Gilbert Family Foundation and the North Corktown Neighborhood Association; they’re trying something different.

I talk with Darnell Adams of the Gilbert Family Foundation about it.

Rundown:

02:12 - What does the Gilbert Family Foundation do?

04:51 - The North Corktown housing program

08:06 - We break down what the "Tomorrow's Housing Innovation Showcase" is.

09:05 - What does a Community Land Trust do to help keep the housing market attainable?

12:16 - How might financing or a mortgage work with a community land trust?

12:58 - The process of getting participants

14:31 - Square footage of the homes and accessory dwellings

17:23 - What about the timeline?

18:19 - Income, resident or other preferences with this?

20:00 - Could this be scaled to other parts of the city or region?

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

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Fletcher Sharpe is in and we're going to talk Detroit area sports.

 01:06 - Is Michigan basketball coach Juwan Howard on the hot seat?

08:05 - A Canadian Footbal League star is on his way to the Detroit Lions from the BC Lions

12:19 - Detroit Pistons, what to look for after the All-Star Break

17:26 - TIL Joe Dumars is in the NBA front office

18:27 - Detroit Pistons exhibit now open at the Detroit Historical Museum

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

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Wide-ranging show from food to economics. Devon O'Reilly is in.

01:33 - In "Where we've been" we talk about the longtime mainstay of Z's Villa and the breakfast and lunch spot Promenade Artisan Foods in the Fisher Building

06:47 - US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was in town, and Jer got the chance to shadow for a bit. We talk about the importance of Michigan in 2024.

15:51 - A recent report (one of two) from the Citizen's Research Council of Michigan shows the difficulty of getting rid of the Detroit Downtown Development Authority (if you wanted to) as well as the reality that everything - including the Community Benefits Agreements - end up costing money and some point the city will have to deal with their high costs and make some hard decisions, or do better at encouraging population growth.

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

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Norris Howard is in.

00:36 - We talk about the great feedback we got from listeners in Canton; how development happened in Metro Detroit; and part of the draw of the city of Detroit is reconnecting our region to its soul.

15:57 - A new Buddy's is opening up in Canton

19:59 - Dan Gilbert has a new cocktail lounge, Saksey's, opening up in the basement of Gilly's. It's named after the bar his father owned.

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

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Black Tech Saturdays is making quite the splash in bridging digital divides and being a platform to lift up Detroit in technology. Plus, it's a total vibe. Far different (in a good way) than what you're used to for "tech events." 

Joining me on the show is Alex and Johnnie Turnage, co-founders - as well as Ethan Lloyd, Social Media Manager for the city of Detroit and he runs the city of Detroit's social media accounts that have been growing quickly and engaging residents.

It's cheesy to say in a podcast that we talk about a wide range of subjects, but we do - and it was a pleasure to have them in the studio at TechTown.

Black Tech Saturdays: https://www.blacktechsaturdays.com/

 Ethan Lloyd: https://www.instagram.com/ethan.llo/

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Fletcher Sharpe is in, and here's the rundown:

01:07 - What can the Detroit Lions learn from watching the Super Bowl, as far as pieces they may need? Is Dan Campbell unfairly judged against SF coach Shanahan? 

09:55 - Fletcher went out to see the preview for the Michigan Panthers, and brings back what we need to know about the new merged league and more 

18:06 - The Pistons made some trade moves. Did they end up ahead?

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

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 http://www.buymeacoffee.com/dailydetroit

Robin Runyan from Urbanize Detroit hops into the studio, and we're talking Detroit development.

00:33 - We both took a tour of the new Residences of Water Square. They're on the higher end of the market, and received no incentives for development. And there are already early signs for demand. This project is also interesting as it's in an area about to be really built out. Soon to be steps from the new West Riverfront Park, a redone set of roads and a convention hotel; but today, it's connected mostly by the Riverwalk and People Mover. We discuss.

10:23 - The Dodge Fountain in Hart Plaza is getting fixed up, hopefully ahead of the draft. We talk about it.

13:18 - More details on the two smaller Renaissance Center towers that were sold, and the low price the new owners paid.

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

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