In the 1940s, Detroit, like many communities across the country, saw the highway system tear through Black neighborhoods. It disrupted the way of life where new music, foods and culture thrived. 

But now, Michigan and other states around the country are working to re-connect communities torn apart by highways. That’s true for the project to undo I-375 and it’s also true for a new project to cap I-75 that would connect downtown to midtown Detroit. 

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The Downtown Detroit Partnership, Michigan Department of Transportation and The City of Detroit have spearheaded this initiative. Public engagement sessions began recently on the I-75 project. 

To explain the details and idea behind capping I-75, Downtown Detroit Partnership CEO Eric Lawson and Detroit Director of Planning and Development Antoine Bryant joined The Metro.

“It’s, as you said in the opening, an opportunity to really start to think about how we reconnect our communities, how we repair some of the damage that was caused back in the ’50s and ’60s,” Lawson says. “But most importantly, how we can lean into the growth and the momentum that is taking place both in the core as well as throughout the city.”

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation with Lawson and Bryant.

More headlines from The Metro on Oct. 25, 2024: 

• Detroit Documenter Tyrone Anderson and Documenters Coordinator Noah Kincade return to The Metro to discuss changes that could be coming to the city’s rental ordinance program. Data Driven Detroit estimated that there are over 120,000 rental properties in the city and only 9 percent of these properties have a certificate of compliance. 
• This week you’ve been hearing conversations with candidates running for two open seats in Detroit’s 36th District Court. Today, we conclude our series with Andrea Bradley-Baskin. 
• The Arab American Empowerment Summit is taking place today and tomorrow at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn. The event features music, food and panel discussions led by local leaders. Co-founder of the Arab American Foundation Warren David joined the show.

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover Barack Obama’s visit to Detroit, the start of a new season for the Pistons and more.

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Obama campaigns for Harris in Detroit

Former president Barack Obama made a stop in Detroit last night. He spoke to thousands at Huntington Place as part of a presidential campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris. Obama criticized Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump for trying to divide the country.  

Both presidential candidates have visited Detroit in the past few weeks. Michigan is a key battleground state in the election, and both the Democrats and the Republicans are working to get out the vote in the last few weeks before Election Day on Nov. 5. Early voting is already underway in Detroit, and begins statewide on Saturday. 

AI to detect lead in Detroit pipes

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is using artificial intelligence to find lead service lines in the city. The mapping software uses data from the Environmental Protection Agency and other sources to identify homes most likely connected to the lead lines. Deputy Director Sam Smalley says the predictions have been extremely accurate, which helps keep contractors in concentrated areas.

City officials say the mapping tool has saved the department $185 million by predicting locations instead of digging up every water service line in the city. The department is on track to replace 10,000 lead service lines by the end of this year.

GM reports strong profits

General Motors is reporting strong profits for the third quarter of the year. The Detroit automaker had net income of $3.1 billion between the beginning of July and the end of September. That’s down 0.3 percent from the same period last year. The results beat Wall Street analysts’ average expectations. GM posted revenues of $48.7 billion, which is up 8 percent from the previous year. The company credits strong demand for its mid-size SUVs for leading the way to improved quarterly revenues. 

MDOT to meet tonight 

The Michigan Department of Transportation is holding a virtual public meeting this evening on plans to improve Gratiot Avenue in Detroit. This will be the fourth and final scheduled meeting on the topic. MDOT is looking at making changes along the road from downtown to Eight Mile, including making the route safer for pedestrians and improving transit options. The virtual meeting takes place at 5 p.m. You can find more information at Michigan.gov/M3PEL. 

Pistons start a new season

The Detroit Pistons open the 2024-2025 season tonight at home. They’ll play the Indiana Pacers at Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons have a new coach and several new players after disappointing seasons last year and the year before. The team won just 14 games and lost 68 last season, holding the worst record in the NBA. The Pistons hired former Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff to improve the team. They’ve also added several veterans, including Tim Hardaway Jr., to bolster a roster of young players, such as Cade Cunningham. Tip-off tonight is at 7 p.m.  

WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley contributed to this report.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Friday on the Detroit Evening Report, we cover the remnants of Hurricane Helene bringing strong winds and rain to the Midwest; Detroit’s new funding boost to improve the Gratiot corridor and more.

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Rain headed to metro Detroit

Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the entire southeastern U.S. on Friday, killing at least 40 people in four states, The Associated Press reports. The Category 4 storm has since weakened into a post-tropical cyclone, with its remnants expected to bring winds and rain to the metro Detroit area starting around 6 p.m. Rainy weather is likely to stick around through the weekend, with highs  in the 70s on Saturday and Sunday

HOPE application deadline move up

The deadline to apply for Detroit’s Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) program has been moved up from early December to Nov. 1. City officials say the change gives the Property Assessment Board of Review more time to evaluate applications and allows applicants extra time to submit complete forms before the end of the year.

The number of applications received by the Board of Review has grown a lot, according to program staff, so the earlier deadline will give them more time to manage the high volume of applications. The HOPE program gives Detroit homeowners a 10-100% exemption from their current year’s property tax. The eligibility is based on if the resident owns or occupies their primary residence. For more information about the HOPE program, including eligibility, required documents and how to apply, visit Detroitmi.gov/HOPE or call the Housing Resource Helpline at 866-313-2520.

Detroit gets funding boost to improve Gratiot 

The city of Detroit received over $12 million to make the Gratiot corridor safer for all users. The funding is part of the Safe Streets for All grant from the U.S Department of Transportation and the State of Michigan Infrastructure office. The city is focusing on the entire corridor of Gratiot within Detroit city limits, with the goal of making a lasting and meaningful impact on safety and reducing crashes.
Between 2019 and 2023, there have been over 2,000 crashes, 1,000 injured and 38 fatalities along the corridor, according to the city. More information about the project can be found on the city’s website.

Sound bath at Peace & Pilates

Peace & Pilates in Detroit is hosting a Stretch and Sound Bath event at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29, at the studio. The event is meant for those who are seeking to relax and reset for the week ahead. Attendees with have the opportunity to stretch and take part in empowering affirmations followed by a calming sound bath and a hot herbal tea selection. More information at peaceandpilatesstudio.com.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is lifting some restrictions for transporting certain hazardous substances across the Ambassador Bridge this fall.

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MDOT will ease restrictions on transporting fuels and materials for batteries beginning Oct. 29. The bridge’s owners requested the looser restrictions, saying it can respond quickly to a fire or spill. 

MDOT commissioned a technical study  in June 2021 to evaluate the risks associated with transporting restricted materials on the Ambassador Bridge from Porter Street in Detroit to Canada, the state reported. MDOT subsequently collected more than 80 letters from elected officials, business owners and community members, many expressing support for the looser restrictions.

Restricted materials will only be transported during off-peak hours, under the supervision of vehicle escorts, according to the state.

Other headlines for Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024:

• The city of Detroit is holding informational sessions this month to teach local nonprofits how to apply for grants to expand or improve their programs.
• Detroit is also offering free estate planning workshops to residents during the month of September.
• The Brightmoor Artisans Collective is recruiting volunteers for its Beautification Day event Saturday, Sept. 7. 
• The Paradise Wellness Academy is hosting a free Community Health Education series this month, featuring live cooking demonstrations and tips for preparing nutritious meals, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Sept. 12, 19 and 26. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.