Detroit homeowners are facing a double-edged sword as property values in the Motor City have surged by $500 million in just one year, according to city officials. While the dramatic increase signals the city's continued recovery, it also means many residents will see higher property tax bills.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Detroit home values surge $500 million in one year, raising property tax concerns

The city examined thousands of home sales over two years to determine new property values, with some neighborhoods experiencing increases of 30% to 40%, according to city officials.

"They've been steadily going up since I moved over here," said Karen Schultz, a Detroit resident who lives in the Rosedale neighborhood.

Schultz purchased her home in 2015 for $137,000, and it's now valued at $280,000. She said she bought at the right time due to rising rental costs.

"For what I mortgaged, I am paying here - I was paying for a 1 bedroom apartment over at Riverplace," Schultz said.

On Friday, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield signed an executive order requiring the assessor's office to adopt national standards for greater transparency in the assessment process.

"While the assessed values of homes has increased. This year, homeowners are protected under the Michigan constitution from large tax increases," Sheffield said.

Many homeowners won't see dramatic tax increases because Michigan's Proposal A limits taxable-value increases to inflation, about 2.7% this year. However, that cap is lifted when a home is sold.

"I look at my tax bill, it was only a 38 dollar increase, so I feel good about that," said George Preston, a Detroit resident.

"This cap helps us alleviate some of those costs that Detroiters are paying currently," said Brodrick Woods, another Detroit resident.

The challenge now is ensuring longtime residents can stay in the neighborhoods they helped rebuild as property values continue to rise.

Homeowners can appeal their assessment by contacting the assessor's office at AsktheAssessor@detroitmi.gov.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Two people are recovering after an early morning fire ripped through an apartment building in Southfield, forcing dozens of residents from their homes.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Southfield apartment fire displaces 27 residents, injures two people

The fire happened at the Oxley Apartment Complex off of 9 Mile and Providence. I spoke with residents who said they woke up to police and firefighters banging on their doors.

Southfield firefighters said several people had to be rescued early Thursday morning after flames tore through multiple units in the apartment complex. It's the third fire in just 48 hours that they've had to battle.

"Glad that everybody is alright. No lives lost. Everything is materialistic, and it can all be replaced," Anthony Powell said.

"We just rushed out. Me and my friends," Dora Pope said.

It was just before 3 o'clock Thursday morning when Southfield firefighters were called out to the four-story apartment complex. When firefighters arrived, smoke could be seen coming from several apartments, and a number of area fire departments had to be called in to assist.

A couple of residents were trapped and had to be rescued by firefighters.

"Our aerial did remove somebody from the fourth floor, and then in other areas of the structure two ground ladder rescues. One on the second floor and one on the third," Chief Joey Thorington said.

Two people were taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation but are expected to recover.

Thorington said this is the third fire they've responded to in just 48 hours.

"Yesterday morning, actually, around two o'clock, we had a rescue house fire. We rescued a patient out of the second story. Yesterday we had the fatal fire, and then today this morning we had the apartment complex fire, so it's been a busy couple of days," Thorington said.

Nearly a dozen units were damaged, displacing 27 people and two dogs. The Red Cross is now working with them to find temporary housing.

"Most of us are affected by smoke damage. It's pretty horrendous," Powell said.

Powell and his children are some of those residents affected. He said firefighters woke them up by banging on his door - they were just a couple of doors away from where the fire started.

"First time they've ever experienced something like this, so when daddy grab their hand, and he is running, you got to run," Powell said.

Loraine Lee is just happy that everyone is okay and was able to make it out safely.

"I am just glad that we got out and it's not as bad as it could have been," Lee said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Detroit residents woke up to a pleasant surprise Monday morning as city crews cleared residential streets following Sunday's snowfall, even though the storm didn't meet the typical 6-inch threshold for full city plowing.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Detroit plowing residential streets after latest snowfall

The city of Detroit expanded its snow removal efforts after several inches of snow blanketed the area, deploying private contractors to clear many residential side streets. Typically, at least 6 inches of snow must fall in a single storm before a full city plow is activated, but with freezing temperatures and continuing snowfall, the city decided it was time to act.

"It's a little bit loose. Part of what we look at is what snow have we had before today. So last night we measured pretty close to 5 inches in Detroit, and because we've had snow over the last couple of weeks and the forecast over the next two weeks is supposed to continue to be cold, we thought this would be a nice service to provide the residents," Sam Krassenstein, Deputy Director of Detroit Public Works, said.

Tradina Waller was clearing her driveway after Sunday's storm and said she was happy to see plow trucks come down her street.

"It's getting better," Waller said.

The city has over 1,800 miles of residential streets to plow and typically only does so when a single snowfall event reaches 6 inches or more. When that threshold is met, the Department of Public Works sends out private contractors to plow neighborhood streets.

Those contractors began clearing Detroit's residential streets early Monday morning. While some side streets on the east side weren't plowed at all, Krassenstein said they're making progress.

"We're about 75 to 80 percent through the residential streets," Krassenstein said.

However, not all residents were satisfied with the snow removal efforts. Dennis Phelps, a cab driver who got stuck at the intersection of Grady and East Willis, said the city needs to plow more often.

"My first time stuck down here on a residential street," Phelps said. "I believe they should come out much, much sooner."

Delano Benson, another Detroit resident, echoed similar concerns about the need for more frequent plowing.

"We need the salt trucks to do the side streets, too," Benson said. "They need more trucks out here."

While some streets had been plowed, residents like Benson wished crews would make a second pass. The city says they're planning to do just that and encourages residents to report any streets that haven't been adequately cleared.

"If they find by tomorrow morning that a street hasn't been touched or not done to a satisfactory condition, they can go online to improve Detroit dot online or on the phone and report that we will investigate that and make sure it's taken care of," Krassenstein said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

The bitter cold temperatures and sub-zero wind chills are not stopping a popular winter festival in St. Clair. The annual Icy Bazaar is going on as planned this weekend with tons of fun and free activities for the whole family to enjoy.

The sixth annual festival will include ice carving, music and fun for the entire family, despite the cold temperatures hitting the area.

"It's the one thing we look forward to the most in the winter," resident Nicole Bidelspacher said.

"We are going on one way or another," St. Clair Chamber of Commerce President Bryan Ulatowski added.

Preparations are already underway for the festival, with live ice carving, Saturday night fireworks, music and much more for the entire family.

"This weekend we have a drone show on Friday night starting at about 7:15, then after that we have an event inside War Water Brewery," Ulatowski said.

Ulatowski is reminding people there will be a massive fire pit and is asking people to wear extra layers.

"Bundle up. We can always wear stuff. Keep warm and inside of all of the local restaurants here, you can go in there, warm up, have a little bit to eat and then come back out to see the show," he said.

"I love being outdoors. First of all, I think you would have to if you are wanting to be outside in negative degrees," Ice Carver Katlyn Phropper.

Phropper has been an ice carver for 12 years and loves coming to St. Clair to show off her skills and artwork made entirely out of ice.

"The first year we started with I think it was 19 blocks of ice, and this year we're up to over 100," she said.

Each block of ice to make the sculptures weighs 200 pounds, and when it comes to the temperatures, Phropper said she's ready for it.

"I've worked in way colder temperatures, so this is kind of nothing to me and as long as I am moving and throwing around these blocks, I am pretty warm," she said.

Local businesses are also gearing up for this weekend and tell me the festival is great for the community.

"We have kids, parents, and grandparents all come down. Everybody is doing something together. They're getting hot chocolate or candy from the stores they're having adult beverages having dinner together. the fireworks, the ice carvings, it's something everyone can do together," Paul Kris, the owner of War Water Brewery said.

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Workers are putting in 10-12-hour days to transform Huntington Place into a car lover's paradise as the 2026 Detroit Auto Show approaches its January opening.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Detroit Auto Show preparations in full swing with one week to go before opening

With just one week remaining until the public opening, crews are racing against time to empty dozens of crates and position hundreds of cars, trucks and SUVs for display at one of the auto industry's biggest events.

"We are a week away, man. We're right there. We're going to do it," said Brandy Reid, a carpenter who has been helping build displays for the past seven years.

The 2026 Detroit Auto Show will feature over 40 brands under one roof at Huntington Place, offering visitors a warm indoor environment to explore the latest automotive offerings.

"There's no other place where you can come under one roof in January in a nice warm environment and really check out a showroom of cars," said Todd Szott, chairman of the 2026 Detroit Auto Show.

This year's show brings back popular test drive tracks after last year's success with 100,000 test drives across four tracks. The event will also include a special track for children in the atrium.

Some manufacturers have created elaborate displays designed to showcase the durability of their SUVs, adding to the spectacle of the massive event.

Reid emphasized the collaborative effort required to pull off such a large-scale production, with multiple unions working together around the clock.

"It's pride with all of the unions. We bring all of the unions together. We have the electricians, the teamsters, the carpenters, we all come together with unity and make this show happen for our community," Reid said.

The dedication involves long hours and hard work right up until opening day.

"A lot of dedication, hours, sweat, some blood and tears but we make it happen every year," Reid said.

Vendors are also preparing for the influx of visitors. Greg Chaudoin is setting up his booth for the second year, featuring model cars for collectors and car enthusiasts.

"We've got small stuff, large stuff, high-end stuff a little cheaper stuff. We've pretty much a variety for everyone," Chaudoin said.

The vendor expressed excitement for this year's show and encouraged visitors to stop by his booth for the diverse selection of collectibles.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.