Features

Development News Rendering of proposed downtown Wixom trail segment.

The Michigan Air Line Trail is open to the public and awaiting approval for more trail construction

This Oakland County rail trail is getting some new enhancements. And a new section of greenway could be in the works too.

Development News Sterling Heights Police Chief Dale Dwojakowski says additional police officers and a social worker position proposed in the city's latest budget will "bolster community policing efforts".

Sterling Heights' budget proposes first full-time social worker, 7 additional police officers

The latest $230 million budget proposal for Sterling Heights includes the city's first full-time social worker, and the addition of seven police officers. 

Development News There are more than 100 nonprofits in the SHARE Detroit directory; the organization hopes to reach more than 250 by summer.

New online platform makes volunteering and donating to metro Detroit nonprofits easier

“Local nonprofit organizations depend on donations of time and money to operate and, yet, it’s especially challenging for donors and volunteers to connect with causes they care about and identify how to contribute to nonprofit organizations right in their own neighborhoods. SHARE Detroit changes all that,” says Janette Phillips, founding executive director of SHARE Detroit.

Development News Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor joined a live Zoom session to share a "day in his life" with teen residents.

Sterling Heights receives Tree City USA award, honors Arbor Day

Sterling Heights recently earned a Tree City USA Award for its celebration of Arbor Day and commitment to effective community forestry.

Feature Story roseterrace1.jpeg

A look at the successes and misses of the National Historic Register in Metro Detroit

Having a property listed on the National Registry of Historic Places is a "point of pride." But what about the rejected and removed properties? Here are the stories behind their Metro Detroit's removed and rejected properties.

Feature Story kamayanplatter

Where to find Filipino food in Metro Detroit

From cafeteria-style service to kamayan feasts, here’s where to get dishes like lumpia shanghai, pancit bihon, and regional specialties around town.

Feature Story “This is about supporting each other so we can achieve success. It’s not a competition. It’s about breaking down working in silos,” says Kim Johnson

Nine nonprofit leaders work together to form the Black Executive Director Alliance of Detroit

“I have a high level of respect for the people involved in this group. They work hard and true to their mission. And I can learn a lot from them, sharing resources and opportunities and contacts,” Kim Johnson says. “This is about supporting each other so we can achieve success. It’s not a competition. It’s about breaking down working in silos.”

Feature Story UBE Custard by JP Makes and Bakes

JP Makes and Bakes to launch limited-run Ube purple yam soft-serve

Jonathan Peregrino’s love of food started at a young age. His mom cooked a lot, including making a dessert out of ube, a Filipino purple yam. This weekend he’s collaborating with Huddle, a soft-serve ice cream shop in downtown Detroit, to offer his UBE custard Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

Development News A cyclist takes the the pump park at Hines Park bike park for a ride.

Hines Park's new bike park is proving to be a popular attraction for Wayne County cyclists

The southeast Michigan mountain bike community is going wild over this new attraction at Hines Drive in Westland.

Longform Members of the cycling group Spoke Junkies head off on their bi-weekly ride from River's Edge Brewing Company in Milford.

Studies show major economic benefits from parks and trails – and Michigan leaders are catching on

As local studies have identified billions of dollars in economic benefits from the region's parks and trails, area leaders have increasingly come together to acknowledge and better leverage those benefits.

Feature Story Courtesy Michigan Fields

How to get local produce delivered to your door in Metro Detroit

The pandemic made some things easier, chief among them being easy delivery of fresh food to your doorstep.  Here are some of the abundant options available in Metro Detroit.

Development News UCS food service

School food program serves 1.8 million meals during pandemic year

When schools shut down last year, Utica Community Schools food service workers weren't sure how many meals the student community would need in their pivot to to-go distribution, now they have served 1.8 million: "People were so happy to get the meals, some even cried."

Development News FBC

State recognizes Farmington as a Redevelopment Ready Community

“Farmington is a vibrant city with a lot to offer,” says Farmington Mayor Sara Bowman. “We hope this gives potential developers, residents, and investors additional confidence to become part of the community.”

Development News “I’m proud that JoeBar continues to show our great city how easy it is to support all of our neighbors on a weekly basis,” says Kevin Hickner, beverage director and bartender at Joebar.

Hazel Park’s JoeBar to launch 4/20 partnership with neighbors at New Standard dispensary

“I’m proud that JoeBar continues to show our great city how easy it is to support all of our neighbors on a weekly basis,” says Kevin Hickner, beverage director and bartender at JoeBar.

Feature Story Music in the Park, Sterling heights

What will the rest of this year's city-wide events look like in Sterling Heights?

What will happen to summer events in Sterling Heights? The city has announced a series of COVID-19 adapted events and amenities for the remainder of 2021, including an Oktoberfest to replace the traditional SterlingFest.

Feature Story Artist and Green Room Cafe chef Bruce Cobb with PLAT owners Karen Jorgensen and Lisa Mohler. Photo courtesy of the PLAT.

Surviving the pandemic while supporting local artists: Pontiac’s Little Art Theatre that could

When Robert Karazim and Karen Jorgensen, owners of K & R studios, resurrected a 150-year-old building in downtown Pontiac and built a community theater, they’d no idea how quickly the curtain would drop. 

Development News Sterling Heights muralist Wendy Popko is excited about her new mural at Dodge Park, which will include the use of augmented reality.

New Sterling Heights mural to blaze a trail using augmented reality (AR)

A new mural at Dodge Park will use cutting edge technology to bring the work to (virtual) life. Muralist Wendy Popko is joining forces with art tech company Electrifly to incorporate augmented reality into the artwork on the wall at Ventimiglia's.

Development News M&N Plastics

Auto supplier expands into Sterling Heights with M&N Plastics acquisition

Lear Corporation has acquired Sterling Heights' M&N Plastics, increasing the South-field-based auto tech companies ability to produce electrical auto components. 

Development News Innovation Hills Playground is designed to “provide a playground for children with disabilities to play alongside their neuro-typical peers.”

Parks in Mt. Clemens and Rochester Hills to be enhanced with new water features and playgrounds

A pair of placemaking projects in Mt. Clemens and Rochester Hills look to improve play and recreation opportunities in each of the metro Detroit communities.

Development News Outdoor seating, part of the Syndicate social district, outside of KickstART Gallery & Shop.

KickstART Farmington wins grant for photo exhibit connecting Farmington and Farmington Hills

“We want this to be about the everyday people of our community,” Lindsay Janoch says. “We have people of all different walks of life living here. We want to find that common community that connects each other.”

 
Nonprofit leaders across southeast Michigan are contributing their thoughts via journal entries on how COVID-19 is affecting their organization. 
This series is made possible with the generous support of our partners, the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Co.ACT. Click here to read the journal entries.