Daily Detroit

On today's show, with timestamps: 00:24 Vaccinations expand to Michiganders 50 and older. Pandemic restrictions lift. We run down the gamut from bars and restaurants at now 50% to gyms and venues. Plus, manufacturing workers in Detroit can now get the vaccine. Detroit's public schools are reopening and a snapshot at the region's low positive test rates. 03:37 Detroit's fire department is wrestling with the use of alcohol on the job after a pair of incidents. There's also the beginnings of a new plan from city officials to deal with it. 05:36 Detroit city council has reversed course and approved all the first round of contracts for Proposal N. Even more background if you want to get into it: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/government/detroit-city-council-flips-decision-oks-proposal-n-demolition-contracts-2nd-vote 06:31 Detroit is changing from just being the Motor City to the Mortgage City. As the Detroit three and now the two big mortgage servicers in the region, Rocket Companies and United Wholesale Mortgage are all public - we can now track their profits. And the mortgage industry among these companies in southeast Michigan is more profitable than the auto industry now. 08:01 Livonia has a new Chipotle (thanks for the listener tip!) Remember if you value the podcast and you can to become a member at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit. It really makes a difference.

Today's topics with timestamps: 00:38 U.S. Soccer Federation repeals former policy barring players from kneeling during anthem, discussion on Seth Jahn and local impact. 05:46 Detroit City FC has some new faces on both the men's and women's teams. 10:32 Former Detroit Red Wing Tod Bertuzzi arrested for a DUI in Auburn Hills. 13:08 Fletcher has a new piece in Hour Detroit about college basketball. 15:25 Whither Michigan State basketball? Follow Fletcher Sharpe: http://www.twitter.com/SaintFDW Support us: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show: Should we pay people to move to Detroit? Detroit native Monica Williams posed the idea in a recent Detroit Free Press op-ed. We discuss it. Background reading: https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2021/02/18/detroit-housing-incentives-pandemic/4488055001/ Plus: The Detroit City Council says no to about half of the proposed demo contracts before them. And the Robocop statue no longer has a home as the Michigan Science Center isn't doing their grounds improvement project they previously planned. So where should it go? More in depth at the Metro Times here: https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/robocop/Content?oid=26514744

Show notes: 00:45 The Hate Has No Home Here rally supporting Black Lives Matter happened, in part, outside of Fletcher's front door. We were going to cover this on the show in a different way, but we ended up talking about about what happened in his community plus the bigger picture of a changing Southeast Michigan region as a whole. 10:58 The Detroit Pistons have continued woes as their season struggles. 18:01 Fletcher shouts out fellow UDM alum and a Detroit native, Steve Perry 19:17 The Detroit City FC Women's side is losing a familiar face to an international team Voicemail: 313-789-3211 Fletcher on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/saintfdw Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Our feature conversation is with Karen Dybis talking about the new Portillo's in Sterling Heights. She went to the media preview and spills the details. Show notes w/ timestamps: 00:30 COVID-19 update. A restaurant and bar association in Macomb County sues seeking damages due to the state-ordered pandemic shutdown. Wayne County has a series of vaccination sites. 02:50 Detroit vs. Everybody is collaborating with Gucci for Gucci vs. Everybody. 03:50 The Art Van name goes back to the founding family of the defunct furniture chain. 04:50 Guy Fieri's ghost kitchen restaurant expands in Metro Detroit 05:30 Karen Dybis joins me to preview the new Portillo's in Sterling Heights. From decor to menu, she's got the details. Follow her on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/karendybis Or buy her books: http://www.karendybis.com Support our work: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On your Daily Detroit for Friday, February 19, 2021: 00:37 Michigan's marijuana industry has skyrocketed, with more people employed in the cannabis industry than police; and roughly as many as there are auto mechanics. 03:23 There's new leadership at the QLINE, and it's a familiar face to Daily Detroit listeners. What are the challenges ahead and when will it get back on the rails? 08:01 Fernando Pallazuelo is falling futher behind at the Packard Plant. His plans were sky high from the beginning, but never found enough funding. We discuss this from earlier this week: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/packard-plant-owner-said-he-would-pay-hundreds-thousands-late-taxes-end-2020-he-hasnt 12:07 Onassis Coney Island in Corktown has closed. What's next? And Corktown changed alot in decade - including becoming less, well, Irish among other things. 14:57 There's a new speakeasy in town called The Shelby 16:44 Restaurant openings have slowed during the pandemic

Today, Fletcher Sharpe joins us to talk: 00:46 Blake Griffin's benching until the Pistons find a place to trade him or something else. 07:11 Michigan is doing very well in the AP College Basketball rankings, but so is the rest of the Big 10 with three teams in the top five for the first time ever. 10:24 For the first time Fletcher can remember, Michigan State University basketball is in the basement. Follow Fletcher on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/SaintFDW Support our sponsor: http://www.tryfusionmarketing.com Become a member: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

My mom was in her 20s in the 1960s, and Motown - be it Marvin Gaye, Tammy Terrell, Stevie Wonder or you name it - that was the music she'd have on the radio in the Detroit flower shop where she worked. When she had me years later, those same songs were installed in my heart as lullabies. Today's episode honors founding Supreme Mary Wilson and tells some of her story. Her sudden passing at age 76 in her Henderson, Nevada home stunned Motown fans everywhere. She died of hypertensive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease - or, put more simply, high blood pressure caused by artery blockages. I'm going to focus on the news itself, how Mary Wilson made us feel and her impact. To help do that, I'm sharing parts of a candid conversation with her recorded by retired label executive Joe Smith in 1987. It is one recording among many that was donated as a collection by Smith to the Library of Congress, free to use and reuse with credit. There's a citation link in the show notes and I encourage you to check out this treasure trove of American history. I also spoke with the knowledgeable Music historian and DJ Dan Austin. He is a founder of the Motor City Soul Club and the turntables he and his friends spin help keep the music alive for all generations to dance to with his Soul Stomp events at the Marble Bar. Dan Austin's awesome B-Sides and Rarities playlist featuring the Supremes and Mary Wilson: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3nQdWd3a5POhaA0Kt5acPL?si=Y2Gtig-XSUiRPIF_T2lpIw Interview excerpts: Smith, J. & Wilson, M. (1987) Off the record interview with Mary Wilson, -01-30. [Audio] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/jsmith000157/ Thanks to Joe Smith for making this conversation available to the American people free to use and reuse with proper attribution.

Along Jefferson from I-375 to the Grosse Pointe border, one of the organizations that's undoubtedly making an impact is Jefferson East Inc., or JEI. It's not just with flashy projects, but in very personal ways such as helping Detroiters stay in their homes. The nonprofit covers five neighborhoods with more than 18 square miles of land area and 42,000 people. That's bigger than many suburbs. As someone who knows this area decently well, I also know lots of people write off the east side. At first glance, parts of it have been some of the hardest hit in Detroit. But whether it's the beautiful houses of Indian village or Jefferson Chalmers; the canals, the economic development that has slowly but surely been firing up, and of course, the proximity to one of our region's most important resources, the Detroit river - I wouldn't sleep on it. So today is my conversation is with Josh Elling of Jefferson East. Then, I'll send you out the door with a couple things to know. Support us on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Today: 00:23 Contact high school sports can resume under a new MDHSS order. 03:18 Free community college is now available in Michigan for those 25 years or older. Additional background on Metro Detroit's education issues: https://www.detroitchamber.com/soe/ 05:57 Demolition may begin as soon as this summer at the Detroit incinerator. More: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2021/02/03/detroit-trash-burning-incinerator-state-regulators-fines-demolition/4370975001/ 09:10 Union Street may be no more, but details aren't clear. The building it is in may become a grocery store. Does Midtown need another one? And which should be there? Westborn? Trader Joe's. 13:43 A golf retailer is moving into the old John Varvatos space 15:25 New Order Coffee closed in Midtown, now they've gotten out of the cafe business closing their recently opened Royal Oak spot 18:04 Talking electric vehicles, General Motors and new targets to eliminate tailpipe emissions in light duty vehicles by 2035 and carborn neutral by 2040 Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show: 00:34 Unemployment is among the highest in the nation in Metro Detroit, only behind Las Vegas 03:24 A new report shows Black Michiganders had worse outcomes with COVID-19. More: https://news.umich.edu/black-michiganders-with-covid-19-suffer-worse-health-socioeconomic-outcomes-than-whites/ 05:44 Little High Flyers shutters their brick and mortar shop in Midtown and go online only: https://littlehighflyers.com/ 06:46 The Golden Fleece in Greektown got a remodel 09:56 Restoration work is underway at Michigan Central Depot (the massive train station in Corktown). Today's update is on the tens of thousands of square feet of decorative plaster that is being re-created. Austin Giesey from Christman-Brinker joins us.

Today: 01:02 Vaccines are now available to people who work with food and beverage, including employees at restaurants, grocery stories, meatpacking facilities, and more. Janitors and security guards are all also eligible. 02:25 Reports are swirling that the Suburban Collection, a large auto dealer group, will be bought by a publicly traded company. 03:40 The historic Birmingham 8 has been bought by Emagine. 04:40 Previous guest of the podcast Mama Shu in Highland Park's Avalon Village has suffered a terrible loss. Help support their work: https://gofund.me/68c41eb2 06:26 Fletcher Sharpe breaks down the Matthew Stafford trade to the LA Rams, what the Lions got back include Jared Goff (Goffsling?) and more. 16:09 Then we get into Detroit City FC offseason happenings. If you love the show, help keep us going: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

There was a lot of news last week around GameStop, Reddit, Robinhood, hedge funds and more. But what should people actually do about it? To get some ideas and a reset on what's actually happening, Matthew X. Roling - Professor X of Personal Finance - joins me on the show. His channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVK2P--Ph7HbCaBKZMychKQ Benzinga video talking about what actually happened: https://youtu.be/4RS4JIEVyXM Thanks to our members on Patreon who make content like this possible: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show: 00:25 Detroit's Condo market is oversaturated. We discuss why and the fundamental problem with new construction that's going to make this a hard problem to fix, plus, "Bananapants" rents. Excellent piece with background information on Crain's: https://www.crainsdetroit.com/real-estate/nearly-years-worth-supply-sale-downtown-detroits-condo-market-oversaturated 06:33 The city of Detroit is tripling the number of daily vaccinations. Good news. 07:26 We quickly discuss the content of the State of the State address on Wednesday night. 09:53 The St. Patrick's Day Parade and race have been cancelled due to the pandemic. 12:04 Huntington Bank branches are closing as part of the merger with TCF - and a lot of them in Meijer branches. 13:33 Saucy Brew Works is coming to City Modern in Brush Park. The Columbus beer & coffee outfit will be taking a corner spot. 15:09 By listener demand, we talk about the new "Chipotlanes" coming to the Chipotle at the GP/Detroit border on Mack 16:19 Portillos has an opening date in Sterling Heights

Today's show is in two parts: 01:08 - Southwest Detroit is lighting up with new Luminarias, providing a beautiful option for dining not only during the pandemic but also afterward. It took a lot of coordination to make it happen. The Southwest Detroit Business Association's Jennifer Gomez joins me. More: https://southwestdetroit.com/ 10:53 - Women Veterans are a group that needs support in Detroit, and there's a way to help them and get some breakfast in the process this Saturday. Erica Owens is my guest. Be sure to grab your breakfast bowl Saturday, or get one for someone else: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bowls-on-the-fly-benefit-for-brave-women-veterans-tickets-135959148473 Thanks for listening! Support us on Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show, we cover a few things to know around town. 00:34 There's a pandemic update, including vaccination rates in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. 01:33 A number of well-known Detroit restaurants were cited for allowing indoor dining by the city. 02:00 238 Black Lives Matter protestors had their charges dropped, but the Detroit City Council also authorized $200,000 to fund lawyers for a countersuit against Detroit Will Breathe, who organized the protests. 02:49 There's a new candidate in the race for mayor of Detroit, Anthony Adams. For voter information purposes, here is his campaign website: https://anthonyadamsformayor.com/ 03:48 Remember Melissa Carone? She made national news by testifying next to Rudy Giuliani sharing baseless accusations of mass election fraud in the city of Detroit. Well, she announced she's running for the Michigan State House in 2022 in the 46th district as a Republican. That's in northern Oakland County. However, as a note - districts are being redrawn by a non-partisan commission and we'll know who is in what districts in November. 05:28 Our feature conversation is with Brian Allnutt of Planet Detroit. It's around this great article, "Detroit's midnight sun: How Canadian greenhouses could endanger Detroit River migratory birds." Read more: https://planetdetroit.org/2021/01/detroits-southern-lights-how-canadian-greenhouses-could-endanger-detroit-river-migratory-birds/ Follow Brian on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/AllnuttBrian Thanks for listening!

Fletcher Sharpe is in today and we talk: 00:30 University of Michigan sports are postponed for two weeks due to the new Coronavirus variant and new cases 03:43 High school parents and students frustrated that they can not play close contact sports 11:03 Fletcher's take on the Lion's new head coach Dan Campbell 14:41 Matthew Stafford's time with the Lions is over. So where next? And what next? Thanks to our members on Patreon who keep this show going: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show: 00:19 Indoor dining can resume at 25% capacity starting February 1, along with some other things. What are the details? And is it enough to keep restaurants going? 07:49 Detroit property values are rising, with more than a billion dollars in new residential value being created in the last couple years. And it's in almost all of Detroit's neighborhoods. 12:11 The Detroit Lions have a new coach with a press conference that got the attention of fans. 13:38 Dilla's Delights closes. More from the friends of pod at Eater: https://detroit.eater.com/2021/1/14/22230971/dillas-delights-closed-downtown-detroit-doughnut-shop-j-dilla-uncle-herm 15:33 Coffee Down Under opens in downtown Detroit. We check in with the owner of the Australian-inspired espresso joint and get a first look at the space. 19:02 One Eyed Betty's is closing for renovations, but they may have fumbled the announcement. What's in store for the Ferndale eatery? 20:25 Old City Hall park in Dearborn is opening up to residents for comments on improvements. We get some history on one of Metro Detroit's older, more notable buildings. We're on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942?mt=2 Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Today's show is in two parts: 00:25 First, Kwame Kilpatrick, the former Mayor of Detroit, will be a free man due to a presidential commutation. We'll get into the difference between a pardon and a commutation and why that really matters. Plus, a bit of Detroit history you might not have known. 03:07 Second, Diane Cross from MDOT joins us to break down the upcoming road projects in 2021. This includes work on I-94 and the intersection of Telegraph and 8 Mile, installing a somewhat new thing in Metro Detroit: A double diverging interchange. Thanks for listening! Love the show? There are two ways to help. 1) Leave a review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942?mt=2 2) Support us with your hard-earned dollars. We do a value-for-value model to keep this free for all to listen to: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Detroit headlines: The city of Detroit and surrounding counties are having to slow their COVID-19 vaccine rollout due to supply problems from the Federal government. Rivian gets $2.65B in investment, while Stellantis unveils their new sign out in Auburn Hills. But with the merger of FCA and Peugeot with their Dutch headquarters, we're really down to just the Detroit 2. Or is it just GM and Ford, without a name? Online sports betting starts Friday in Michigan, and Detroit casinos are in on the action. Henry Ford Health System opens their new Birgitte Harris Cancer Pavilion on West Grand Boulevard in the city tomorrow. Tomorrow (Wednesday) is officially "What's Going On?" day to remember the iconic song and album by Marvin Gaye. Plus Fletcher Sharpe (http://www.twitter.com/saintfdw) joins us for sports: Michigan State and Illinois basketball has been postponed due to COVID-19. It's the third game for the program. Detroit Lions hire Brad Holmes as General Manager What are the coaching prospects now for the Lions as Saleh is off to the Jets? Jim Harbaugh shaking things up over at U of M Football Red Wings honor Marlowe Stoudamire Thanks for listening! If you love what we're doing there are a couple ways to help. 1) Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942?mt=2 2) Join us a member on Patreon. Your support, like Nissa and Jonathan did, means the world to this project. http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Today is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic locally in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Considering the situation, we're relatively a national bright spot. Dr. Paul Thomas joins us to walk through that and explain how the new mRNA vaccines work. They're a medical breakthrough thanks to years of research that has all kinds of potential beyond today's Coronavirus pandemic. Follow Dr. Paul on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlumHealthDPC And his website, where he's doing regular vaccine access updates: https://www.plumhealthdpc.com/ Support our in-depth work: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Automotive industry expert Eric Trytko - who also creates content as Rumblestrip - joins us to break down the coming changes in Detroit's North American International Auto Show and the marketing world that it lives in today. We also go through the NACTOY winners, including the Hyundai Elantra, the Ford F-150, and the Mustang Mach-E. Follow Rumblestrip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rumblestrip/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/rumblestrip Timestamps: 01:20 The 2021 North American International Auto Show has been canceled. 03:40 Auto companies are choosing to do individual reveals instead of revealing them at auto shows. 08:56 The auto show we know is now in the rear view mirror. 10:48 Mayor Duggan is trying to plan alternative plans to bring people down to the city, and what could that look like? 12:30 Details on Motor Bella 15:22 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards breakdown Want to support what we're doing? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-detroit/id1220563942?mt=2 Become a member on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Man about town Devon O'Reilly joins Jer on the show to talk about what's happening around town. On today's show: 0:32 Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to be charged in the Flint water scandal 1:19 Coronavirus update 4:50 The 2021 Auto Show cancelled and a smaller event will take place in Pontiac 9:49 Hot takes on the new GM logo 17:32 Transfiguration school in Detroit's Banglatown to be renovated into affordable housing 20:10 Bedrock and Emagine Theaters doing a pop up drive in theater in downtown Detroit 23:18 Dearborn igloos and pergolas and a new coffee shop art gallery opens As always, support our work at http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show, our feature conversation is about 10 words that should absolutely come back into the conversation as selected by the Word Warriors of Wayne State University. At 0:53 we start talking about: Anagapesis Loss of feelings for someone who was formerly loved. They sat in silence in their usual coffee shop, the anagapesis growing as their drinks cooled. Blatteroon A senseless babbler or boaster. The bartender groaned at the string of nonsense coming from the blatteroon in the corner; he could cut off his drinks, but the man was stone-cold sober. Brontide A low, muffled sound like distant thunder heard in certain seismic regions, especially along seacoasts and over lakes and thought to be caused by feeble earth tremors. He sat watching the water, his dread enhanced by drone of the brontide. Dysania The state of finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning. On Mondays, my dysania can cause me to reach for the snooze alarm upward of five times. Footle Engage in fruitless activity; mess about. He footled around the house aimlessly, ignoring the checklist of chores his wife had left on the fridge. Maleolent Foul-smelling, odorous. The restaurant was set at the end of the street, likely to shield the community from the maleolent fog that wafted from its kitchen. Paralian Someone who lives by the sea. He escaped the noise of the city, bought a beach house on the Pacific coast and became a paralian. Snollygoster A shrewd, unprincipled person, especially a politician. The tone of national politics changed when humble public servants were replaced by power-hungry snollygosters. Sophronize To imbue with moral principles or self-control. Parents have an obligation to sophronize their children. Ultracrepidarian Expressing opinions on matters outside the scope of one's knowledge or expertise. Many who haven't had kids are too eager to give ultracrepidarian advice to parents. Plus: 15:13 The scramble is on to fill the Wayne County Sheriff's seat after Benny Napoleon's death 16:36 And a fictional book featuring Detroit by a local artist is a big step closer to becoming a TV show on ABC starring Keegan-Michael Key. Our work is supported by our member: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show: :30 We update you on the latest Coronavirus numbers, vaccination news (including how to and who can get a vaccine in Detroit), and businesses fined by MIOSHA 4:57 There are new 2020 Detroit crime stats 6:08 And update to the Detroit City Council Race 7:05 Auto industry news roundup, talking Ford, GM and Rivian 9:11 Fox Creek Post Office will be renamed the Aretha Franklin Post Office Building

We had a completely different show planned today, but the events in Washington D.C. - along with connections to Michigan - cast such a shadow we had to change gears. To help us figure all of this out and what's next, Steve Friess from Newsweek and Hour Detroit joins us. It's a lively conversation during one of the most important days in the recent history of our republic. You can follow him on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/SteveFriess Support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

It's a busy news day for early January. Here's what we're covering today, with Devon O'Reilly joining Jer for the conversation. 0:25 - Michigan and Metro Detroit coronavirus update 9:33 - Journalist and podcaster ML Elrick joins the Detroit city council race in District 4. More - https://www.facebook.com/1546860892274273/videos/444650476569557 12:54 - Washtenaw County District Attorney is ending cash bail. More: https://twitter.com/EliNSavit/status/1346109476139626498 14:49 - Supino's New Center location opening soon. More: https://www.metrotimes.com/table-and-bar/archives/2020/12/31/supino-pizzerias-new-center-location-is-almost-ready-to-open 15:52 - Sterling Heights to have a mobile food pantry in January. More: https://sterling-heights.net/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1225 17:38 - Eastern Market Brewing Company and Ferndale Project do Après Ski. 20:28 - SMART Bus route 494 expands to Beaumont Troy Follow Devon O'Reilly: https://twitter.com/devon_oreilly Support our work on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

On today's show, Fletcher Sharpe hops on. We talk about: The Pistons got their first win of the season against the Celtics. A round up of Lions coverage: Refs bad calls, is Stafford gone, Matt Prater gets us free beer and might be leaving the Lions, and the team has set up GM/ head coach interviews. Jim Harbaugh could be extending his stay at U of M until 2026. What does this mean? And, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs a bill to pave the way for college players to get compensated. Thanks to our members who keep us going: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Sometimes the perspective of history can help us understand the world we live in today. This epsiode is a mini-documentary on this history of the "Monument to Joe Louis," the controversial statue at Woodward and Jefferson by Robert Graham - and what it really stands for.

On today's show: Love's Furniture is navigating supply chain issues and closing more stores; soon after they opened them. Detroit's Cultural Center is getting free public wi-fi and more thanks to a grant. We have details. Detroit's public schools come to an agreement with unions representing non-teaching positions. Plus, Fletcher Sharpe stops by to talk Pistons and play time for Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose; The wayward Lions; And a shakeup in national basketball ratings with U of M and MSU. Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit

Merry Christmas Eve! Here's a special episode of the podcast around a virtual fire, talking about the year that was and our hopes for 2020. We also include some podcasting advice because apparently, that's a question we get a lot? This one has Shianne Nocerini, Fletcher Sharpe, Devon O'Reilly, and Randy Walker. Also, major thanks to our members on Patreon who make this show possible: http://www.patreon.com/dailydetroit Jer hasn't had a weekday off since the beginning of the pandemic, so he's gonna hang out with the studio dogs for Christmas. Hope that you get to spend time with your loved ones, too. Take care of each other and we'll see you on Monday.

Today's show is focused on Detroit sports, on and off the court. Fletcher Sharpe (@SaintFDW) is our guide. First up, Big Sean is joining the Detroit Pistons as their "Creative Director of Innovation." Then we get into the predictions for the season - and Fletcher promises a tattoo upon certain conditions. Then, we get into Detroit City FC now having U23 development involvement and how it could bolster the club going forward. And finally, we talk about the COVID-stricken Detroit Lions. And should Matthew Stafford keep soldiering on even when he's really hurt and there's nothing of value to play for?

The $400 million worth or so of development happening at the State Fairgrounds site in Detroit with the new amazon distribution center has turned a lot of heads. The project promises to create as many as 2,000 jobs at the amazon facility; not to mention the developments nearby on the same parcel. But it's not without some questions and pushback. The part we'll talk about today, since the fairgrounds is a site with generations of history. Should the long-standing buildings like the coliseum and the bandshell be preserved somehow, instead of demolished? And what about transit connections? A quarter of Detroit households don't have a car and buses are a way lots of people here get to work. Our feature conversation raises some questions and gives us some historical context. Dave Gifford is a regional community and transit advocate who also has a passion for music. He wrote an interesting piece that appeared on medium and in the Metro Times about it that's gotten a lot of traction. Link: https://www.metrotimes.com/city-slang/archives/2020/12/14/dear-amazon-before-you-bulldoze-more-than-80-years-of-detroit-music-history-please-read-this And we dive into the question - could this, with some adjustments, be a much better development than it is? And Amazon has a response, too. Find Dave on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TransitGuideDET also https://twitter.com/DE_Gifford Then, I'll share three things to know around town: Including an update on coronavirus relief in Michigan, Marathon is looking to create a green zone near their Detroit refinery, and an update on community benefits money on Detroit's east side.