A new poll shows Michigan voters outside of Detroit approve using state money to support the so-called “Grand Bargain” to bolster City of Detroit retirees’ pensions and protect the Detroit Institute of Art’s collection. Michigan Radio’s Lester Graham reports. The poll was commissioned by Michigan Radio and its partners in the Detroit Journalism Cooperative. It […]
Urban Affairs
In-depth reporting on Michigan’s largest city and surrounding communities, including deep dives into the big changes afoot in Detroit, its schools, neighborhoods, institutions and city hall.
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In Hillsdale, crumbling streets but support for fixing state’s 'eyesore'
Like small communities across Michigan, Hillsdale is quietly laying off police, reducing services and watching its roads fall to pieces. And yet, there is support for state aid to Michigan’s largest city.
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Dennis Archer: Supporting Detroit benefits entire state
Detroit’s former mayor argues that the city’s negative image brings down all of Michigan – even hundreds of miles away.
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Meet Detroit’s creditors
Detroit owes thousands of people, businesses and banks roughly $18 billion. Does it owe you? Scan the Bridge database for the names of city creditors and what they’re due.
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Detroit creditor winners and losers
A bankruptcy judge has yet to sign off on Detroit’s proposal for paying thousands of creditors. But there are signs of who is likely to benefit most when the bankruptcy dust settles.
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Shinola’s place in Detroit’s future
Jacques Panis, president of the Detroit watch and bicycle maker, offers a wish list of businesses he’d like to see in Detroit.
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Graffiti’s role in the revival of Michigan cities
Across Michigan, the writing’s on the wall. How you feel about graffiti depends on your age, your attitude, and whether you mind spray paint in an urban landscape.
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A choice for cities: Destroy graffiti or restrict it
Some cities now have safe zones for legal graffiti in a bid to contain it. Whether graffiti writers will comply is another question.
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Michigan Radio: Being broke makes Detroit get creative
For Detroit, municipal bankruptcy has made the world aware of what Michigan already knew: Detroit is broke. No matter how it turns out, bankruptcy is not going to change things very quickly. Detroit will still be broke. Lester Graham with Michigan Watch reports that’s going to force the city to get creative.
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All eyes on Belle Isle as state takes control
As Detroit’s historic island park transitions to state control, upgrades are being watched closely by city residents, including many who remain wary of the motives of state government.