The book is subdivided into four sections with benign sounding titles that you might find in an introductory tour of Detroit—“Situating the City,” “Getting to Know the City,” “Communities and Neighborhoods” and “Places in the City.” Photo credit: Belt Magazine Maps do a lot more than just help us navigate physical space. They also help […]
Posted inNews
Are Michigan’s investor-owned utilities driving away auto jobs and investment?
Instead of creating around 11,000 new jobs and investing $11 billion in its backyard, Michigan-based Ford Motor Co. went south, deciding in September to invest in two new electric vehicle battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky. Ford CEO Jim Farley repeatedly cited lower energy rates as part of the motivation but never explained why those […]
Posted inThe Dig
Is housing an environmental justice issue? In Detroit, yes.
Outlier Media’s The Dig has published this story in partnership with Planet Detroit. Nora Rodriguez lives in Southwest Detroit, where she is caring for her mother. Rodriguez has never seriously considered leaving the area despite her own health issues. She is a community organizer and outreach worker with two local nonprofits. Photo by NICK HAGEN […]
Posted inNews
Yearslong struggle with community land trust ends in homeownership for Detroiter
Geraldine Smith-Bey, 58, lost her house in 2015 to foreclosure. It ended up on the auction block after she fell behind on her taxes. Photo by Aaron Mondry After six years, a housing dispute between a nonprofit and one of their tenants and vocal critics has finally come to a conclusion. “I’m happy because I […]
Posted inNews
No clear path forward to compensate overtaxed homeowners in Detroit
Before COVID-19, one of the most talked about issues was news that the City of Detroit collectively overtaxed homeowners by at least $600 million between 2010 and 2016. And, at least 53% of the assessments were in violation of Michigan’s Constitution. The sense of urgency about redressing the overtaxed has faded, but many policymakers, activists […]
Posted inThe Dig
Bay Area developer looks to address mass incarceration with Detroit buildings
This August 2021 rendering from Designing Justice + Designing Spaces, a California-based architecture firm, shows the site plan for the development project at Grand River Avenue and 14th Street in Detroit’s Core City neighborhood. Update: An earlier version of this story indicated that the Love Building is formerly known by that name. The building name […]
Posted inNews
Russell Industrial Center raising rent, skimping on repairs, tenants say
Dennis Kefallinos has owned the Russell Industrial Center since 2003. Many tenants describe being on month-to-month leases, which makes rent increases and evictions easier for landlords. Since the start of 2020, Kefallinos has filed 43 evictions against tenants at the Russell, according to records at the 36th District Court. Photo by Zaire Daniels In recent […]
Posted inNews, The Dig
Property values are rising. But these longtime Detroiters say they are missing out because of the Land Bank.
The city told residents of East Davison Village that they’d get access to the neighborhood’s vacant property. Instead, most of those homes have gone to newcomers.
Posted inNews
HIRING: Outlier Media seeks an Operations and Development Manager in Detroit
We’re hiring an Operations Manager to work with our small, but powerful team as we expand to serve more Detroiters and reimagine local news as an essential service. Our newsroom will grow over the next several years and we need a skilled and thoughtful business manager who can help us manage today and plan for the future.
Posted inNews
Outlier Media expands its business operations with two new hires
Outlier Media is proud to announce its first two hires focused on revenue and operations strategy. These positions were made possible thanks to an investment in Outlier made earlier this year by the American Journalism Project.
Posted inNews
Denial of class-action status in land contract case highlights gaps in Michigan’s rules
A lawsuit alleging Detroit property owner Michael Kelly uses multiple and confusing contracts to lure vulnerable Detroiters into a “real estate bait and switch” was denied class-action status earlier this month for the very reason the suit was filed: multiple contracts. The lawsuit, James v. Detroit Property Exchange, will still move forward on behalf of […]
Posted inNews
Why this team is looking to track every building development in Detroit—and will need your help
Pullman Parc development site at Lafayette and St. Aubin streets. Photo by Aaron Mondry Following building development in Detroit can be a daunting task. It’s a full-time job keeping tabs on what’s been announced, seeking city approval, in the middle of a community benefits process, under construction or behind schedule. But Detour Detroit is betting […]