Pontiac, Michigan – For the first time in nearly 40 years, locals could enjoy an unobstructed view across downtown Pontiac. A hulking concrete amphitheater and parking garage that once split the city’s core, the long-neglected Phoenix Center, had finally been demolished, opening up the skyline and sparking hope on the streets below. This dramatic change was just one part of a bold redevelopment wave that swept through Pontiac in the wake of a landmark deal with Oakland County. In 2024, county officials committed to relocating hundreds of their employees into the heart of Pontiac, bringing new energy and daytime foot traffic to a downtown that had spent years searching for its second act. It wasn’t just another construction project; as Oakland County…

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Imagine a nearly century-old Detroit schoolhouse buzzing with new life. Once filled with students, the former Thomas Jefferson Intermediate School in Midtown sat quiet and empty for almost a decade. Now, that grand brick building at 950 Selden Street is poised for a dramatic comeback, not as a school again, but as the Jefferson Hub, a $48 million innovation center for entrepreneurs and small businesses. It’s the kind of transformation lifelong Detroiters love to see: historic architecture saved and repurposed to fuel the city’s future. This fall, as the Jefferson Hub (fondly nicknamed the “J Hub”) opens its doors, it promises to blend Detroit’s rich past with its ambitions as a hub of innovation. In a city known for comebacks, here’s why this project has…

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Detroit’s nightlife holds more than just its well-known breweries and bustling downtown hotspots; it hides an entire world of intimate, tucked-away spaces that feel like they’re straight out of another era. These secret lounges and low-profile cocktail dens offer the kind of atmosphere where every sip feels like a discovery, and every entrance feels like you’ve stumbled onto something special. Whether you’ve been living in Metro Detroit for years or are moving to Metro Detroit and looking to explore the city’s after-dark personality, these speakeasy-style destinations deliver a mix of history, craftsmanship, and intrigue that’s impossible to find anywhere else. From artfully mixed drinks to settings steeped in character, they promise an unforgettable…

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Choosing the right school can make or break a season. If you’re living in Metro Detroit or moving to Metro Detroit, this guide to the Top Metro Detroit Public Schools for Athletes spotlights districts and high schools where varsity sports, coaching support, and academic rigor work together. We focus on what families care about most: deep sport offerings across fall, winter, and spring; clear eligibility and registration through platforms like FinalForms and Student Central; consistent league play in the OAA, KLAA, MAC, and SEC; digital ticketing with GoFan; and real facilities that matter, from turf fields and tracks to natatoriums, weight rooms, and training staff. Each entry is verified against official school and district pages and framed for search…

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What do Detroit, Michigan and Cologne, Germany have in common? More than you might think. Both are proud hubs of sports fandom and automotive heritage, and now, these two worlds are coming together in an unprecedented way. The NFL’s Detroit Lions have forged a multi-year partnership with 1. FC Köln (1. FC Cologne in English), a historic German soccer club, to unite fans across the Atlantic. This transatlantic team-up is about more than just marketing; it’s about connecting passionate communities on two continents, creating shared experiences from Metro Detroit to the banks of the Rhine. In a city where loyalty runs deep (Lions fans know about loyalty), this news has folks buzzing with curiosity and excitement. How exactly does an American football team…

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Imagine walking down a Detroit street and seeing a robot trimming the grass or a self-driving machine picking up litter. What sounds like a scene from a futuristic movie is actually happening today in the Motor City. Across Detroit, autonomous robots are roaming around doing the “dirty work”, mowing lawns, clearing snow, collecting trash, all in an effort to keep the city cleaner and safer. It’s a high-tech twist on basic city services, and it’s being embraced by local officials and residents alike. Detroit, long famed as the cradle of the automotive industry, is now pioneering a new kind of innovation: autonomous urban maintenance. In a city known for grit and ingenuity, these robots are more than just gadgets, they’re part of a broader strategy to…

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A sweeping $125 million expansion of Detroit’s marquee convention center, Huntington Place (formerly known to longtime locals as Cobo Center), is about to get underway, and it promises to transform downtown in a big way. In the coming weeks, construction crews will break ground on a project that will connect the riverfront convention hall to a brand-new luxury hotel and finally open up pedestrian access between downtown and the Detroit RiverWalk. This long-anticipated upgrade is big news for Metro Detroiters, and it’s generating buzz about what it means for local real estate, businesses, and the city’s ability to host world-class events.

In a nutshell: Huntington Place will gain a 20,000-square-foot addition at its southwest corner plus a…

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In Grosse Pointe Woods, a quiet wave of excitement is building over an unexpected new arrival, a taco bar backed by serious culinary star power. This September, hometown native Branden McRill, a chef-restaurateur who earned a Michelin star in New York City, is coming back to Michigan to launch Lola’s Taco Bar. For local families and savvy foodies alike, the opening of Lola’s isn’t just another restaurant debut, it’s a homecoming story that blends world-class experience with genuine neighborhood charm.

Nestled at 20195 Mack Avenue (in the former Boston Market spot), Lola’s Taco Bar promises to bring a “fun dining” twist to the community. Think street taco joint meets fine-dining flair: a place where you might grab a quick casual lunch with the kids one…

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The spot where Detroiters once cheered on the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena is buzzing again, this time with construction cranes and a bold vision for the city’s future. The former Joe Louis Arena site on downtown Detroit’s west riverfront is being reborn as “Water Square,” a new mixed-use development that’s bringing luxury apartments, a high-end hotel, and a revitalized public transit hub to the banks of the Detroit River. In the process, it’s also creating a much-needed pedestrian-friendly corridor reconnecting downtown to the award-winning Detroit Riverwalk. The transformation promises to make this corner of the city a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike, blending Detroit’s rich history with its forward-looking renaissance.

The…

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Detroit is a city that doesn’t just tell stories, it builds them. From the world’s first paved road to a sound that changed global music, every brick and blade of grass in this city has a story behind it. But for all the headlines about cars, comebacks, and championship banners, there are still so many things about Detroit that surprise even lifelong locals.

Behind the murals and music, under the streets and along the riverbanks, are layers of history, invention, folklore, and culture that most people miss. Whether you're new to the city, born-and-raised, or just curious about the soul behind the Motor City, these ten facts reveal a version of Detroit that’s deeper, wilder, and far more fascinating than you’ve ever imagined.

Let’s take a…

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