Michigan

Detroit's New Q-Line Streetcar Opens to the Public in May*
The long-awaited Q-Line opened to the public earlier today.

Friday Eye Candy: The Antidote to Detroit 'Ruin Porn'
The new book "Detroit: The Dream Is Now" tells a story of revitalization and ambition, in the same city where far too many "ruin porn" photographers have tread.

An Ambitious Revitalization Partnership in Detroit
Bringing together the city, developers, and philanthropic support, Fitz Forward aims to redevelop 300 parcels. Backers hope it will serve as a model for other neighborhoods.

Bad Bets on Detroit Housing Speculation
When investors from Belgium and elsewhere snapped up Detroit houses for a song, some of them didn't consider the full picture. The lesson: do your research, and maybe don't invest thousands of miles form home.

Another Suburban Anchor Development Doomed by Fate in the Detroit Region
The Detroit Pistons recently played their last game in the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Trump's Budget Still a Draft, But Officials Credit it for Demise of BRT Project in Michigan
Local officials have ended any hope of completing a bus rapid transit project in the Lansing, Michigan area, for fear of of the budget cuts for transportation investment projects promised by the Trump Administration.

Volkswagen Emissions Cheating Scandal Produces Land Use Lawsuit in Michigan
The city of Pontiac has filed a lawsuit over the illegal storage of hundreds of Volkswagen vehicles. The vehicles have mothballed at the Pontiac Silverdome as a result of the buy-back program necessitated by the 2016 emissions cheating scandal.

Ann Arbor's Futuristic Traffic Software
The networked sensors and signals in Ann Arbor give the city a coordinated way to respond to traffic.

On Detroit's Proposed Tallest Skyscraper
Slated for the site of the late Hudson's department store, Dan Gilbert's mixed-use mecca and its glassy 734-foot tower would symbolize Detroit's rebirth, in downtown at least.

A New, Park-Filled Vision for Detroit's Waterfront
A new framework plan for Detroit's East Riverfront District will focus more on creating public spaces than a previous version of the plan. The proposed vision for the waterfront would expand Milliken State Park and create two new parks.
Pedestrian and Bike Access Included at Planned U.S.-Canada Border Crossing
A request for proposals for the planned Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting Detroit to Windsor, includes a mandate to include pedestrian and bike infrastructure across the span.

Monday Inspiration: The Best School Crossing Guard in the Business
Meet Penni Robertson, also known as America's Favorite Crossing Guard.

Detroit Still a Long Way from Recovery
It's fun to write miracle comeback stories, but the epic of Detroit's resurgence has been exaggerated, according to an article in The Conversation.

Unique 'Audio Portraits' Pay Homage to Urban Noise
One man's noise pollution is another man's symphony.

When the Dust Settles: Removing Blight, But Spreading Toxins
Data regarding ongoing demolitions of blighted properties in cities across the U.S. has turned up some unexpected consequences: the spread of lead toxins into the surrounding community.

The End of Federal Environmental Protection in the United States?
The end of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may not come from the hands of President Trump or Scott Pruitt, the nominee to head the agency, but from a bill introduced Feb. 3 titled, "To terminate the Environmental Protection Agency."

1,700 Flint Residents Sue U.S. EPA for $722 Million in Damages
Flint residents are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for damages caused by exposure to lead in the city's drinking supply.

Detroit Completes Citywide Property Tax Reappraisal
It's counterintuitive, but in Detroit, the hope is that by lowering property taxes, the city might actually collect more in property taxes.

Friday Fun: Bikes and Beer Take to the Water
Hold my beer while I pedal this boat around Lake St. Clair.

Review of November 2016 Transportation Ballot Measures
About 50 transportation measures appeared on local ballots on November 8, 2016. To date, Planetizen reviewed outcomes in nine regions in six states. Here we compare the measures in terms of revenue, taxes, projects, and reasons for failure.
Pagination
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