real estate, urbanism, architecture

Storehouse of Hope wanted to create a new path for Detroit homeownership. What went wrong? // Detour Detroit
The nonprofit has a vision of building a community land trust — but is struggling to keep the lights on while facing charges of negligence.

Red balloon rent-shaming riles Brightmoor residents // The Detroit News
Low-income residents of a development in Northwest Detroit have experience many indignities at the hands of the property management company.

Rising rents. Falling wages. Detroit’s poor face housing crisis // Bridge Magazine
Detroit’s low-income renters face an affordability crisis: too few subsidized units amidst a wave of new luxury apartments that are increasing median rent prices.

The Detroit Home Mortgage program is winding down. Did it meet its lofty goals? // Detour Detroit
Detroit’s housing market is much better off than when the innovative program launched in 2016, but it has only helped buyers close on 232 homes.

Coronavirus hits pause on Detroit’s housing market // Curbed Detroit
With all the challenges to buying and few homes getting listed, Detroit’s housing market has nearly come to a complete stop

Welcome to an American City Where the Government Barely Exists // Splinter
The residents of Highland Park, Michigan are forging ahead in a civic vacuum.

I spent a day on the world’s most pointless public transit system // Gizmodo
After 17 hours, 52 revolutions, and 150 miles, I learned a few things about Michigan’s longest municipal rail system.

the environment, sustainability, science

Detroit’s farmers lose patience with the city’s outdated livestock laws // Curbed Detroit
An ordinance to allow for farm animals has been in the works since 2014. Why hasn’t it passed?

Michigan is testing water for lead under the nation’s most stringent rules. It may not like what it finds. // Planet Detroit
If preliminary evidence holds up, a new Michigan rule for testing lead will likely show just how widespread the problem is.

Clearing the air: Health professionals tackle Detroit’s asthma epidemic // Model D
Detroit has one of the highest rates of asthma in the country. What are Detroit’s health professionals doing to tackle this epidemic?

A green building culture emerges in Detroit // MLive
New redevelopments and renovations of buildings in the city are saving energy and money thanks to green practices.

politics, culture, people, entertainment

Navigating a digital world after 40 years in prison // Splinter
A modern-day Rip Van Winkle, Ed Minor was confronted with a completely unfamiliar world upon leaving prison.

Meet the couple doing designer renovations in Detroit neighborhoods // Curbed Detroit
Most are under 1,000 square feet and sell for less than $100,000—all are charming.

Closing the voter engagement gap in Metro Detroit // Model D
Vulnerable groups vote and participate in politics less than their white, affluent counterparts. Here’s what some organizations are doing about it.

Women designers and the making of a modern General Motors // Metromode
An examination of the important role women have played in the last half century of design at General Motors.

Can Detroit become America’s next fashion hub? // Crain’s Detroit Business
The main article in a special report examining Detroit’s fashion industry. Links to the three other articles in the report appear in the sidebar.

Since 1947, Dutch Girl Donuts has proven a rare constant in a changing city // Model D
Dutch Girl Donuts, located on Woodward just south of 7 Mile, has been serving up fresh donuts at fair prices since 1947– and it has no plans on changing.

Archives of my articles for Detour Detroit, Curbed Detroit, Model D, Planet Detroit.