Detroit officials have opened up a new section of the Joe Louis Greenway. 

About two miles of the greenway’s new additions are spread throughout the city’s west side, running from Joy Road to Chicago Street.   A sculpture of Joe Louis was also unveiled at the trailhead of this section near Grand River and Oakman.

District 7 City Councilman Fred Durhal says the greenway expansion will help bring city residents together. 

“What this project means for our community here is connectivity.  Connectivity to our lives.  Opportunity for our youth, for our seniors—all to come together in a healthy way.”

Mayor Mike Duggan also attended Tuesday’s event.  He says the greenway is making a visible difference in city neighborhoods, adding that the name of the project makes sense for Detroit. 

“Whose name could possibly be great enough—whose impact in the city could be great enough that would affect and do justice?  And it wasn’t a hard decision at all.  And so to recognize Joe Louis forever—as my friend Joyce said— “you named a hockey arena after him and you knocked it down, but greenways are forever.” 

Duggan says about 6 miles of greenway have been completed and another 6 miles are under construction.  The entire project, when finished, should cover about 27 miles. 

Additional headlines from Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick dies at 80

Former Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick has died. 

She served as one of Detroit’s representatives in Congress from 1997 until 2011.  Before that Cheeks Kilpatrick was a member of the state House from 1979 until 1997.  She was also the mother of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. 

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick was 80 years old. 

Whitmer signs budget  

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed the state budget into law. 

The $81 billion budget includes more money for roads, and a larger wholesale tax on marijuana.  The marijuana tax has been increased to 24% as part of a deal to raise funds for road construction and maintenance. 

In a video statement, Whitmer says students will benefit from the new budget, too. “We’re making a historic investment in our children, including the more than $10,000 per student investment to improve their classroom experience, free school meals for all to save parents more than a thousand dollars a year per child and make sure no kid goes hungry.”

State legislators failed to meet an October first deadline to get a budget to the governor, but they came up with a temporary plan to keep state government open while they finished up final details. 

Casino revenue update

Detroit’s three casinos brought in $98.9 million in revenue last month.  That’s down about 3% from September 2024. 

MGM Grand continued to hold the largest share of the Detroit casino market at 47%, Motor City had 30% and Hollywood Casino at Greektown had 23%. 

The casinos paid $16.1 million in wagering taxes and other fees to the City of Detroit in September.  They paid another $8 million to the State of Michigan last month. 

Tigers status 

The Detroit Tigers are fighting to stay alive in the American League Divisional Series. 

They lost to the Seattle Mariners yesterday 8 – 4.  The Mariners lead the best-of-five series two games to one.  That means Detroit will be eliminated if they lose another game. 

The Tigers and the Mariners play game four this afternoon at Comerica Park.  First pitch is at 3:08 p.m. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.