The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is preparing
metro Detroiters for the upcoming reconstruction of I-94.

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The “Restore 94” project, which will begin early next year, is a $353 million overhaul of 12.7 miles of freeway in the communities of Allen Park, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn, Romulus and Taylor and Melvindale — from east of I-275 to west of Michigan Avenue.

MDOT held two public information sessions Downriver this week about the project, where residents shared concerns about construction noise and increased traffic. MDOT says studies are
being done to see how both could be mitigated.

At least two eastbound and westbound lanes of I-94 will be open during the construction, but occasional closures may occur, MDOT said.

The Restore 94 project comes as reconstruction of I-696
has eastbound traffic shutdown from
M-10 to I-75. That closure will last until 2027.

Other headlines for Friday, March 28, 2025:

• The nonprofit Focus: HOPE is partnering with Skilltrade and Detroit at Work to offer a medical assistant training program beginning Saturday, March 29. Eligible candidates must
 have a high school diploma/GED, be 18 years old or older, and
have reliable transportation. Space is limited.
• Arab Women United is accepting artist submissions for their
Arab Heritage Art Celebration in April.
 The event, held during Arab American Heritage
Month, will showcase the creativity of Arab artists. The lineup
 includes live-art performances, henna-drawing opportunities,
 poetry, music and more.
• Madness is still taking over March with the NCAA March
Madness tournament and two hometown favs. The Michigan
State Spartans and the University of Michigan Wolverines have two big match ups Friday night that you can watch at Parlay Detroit.
They are having a watch party that will last until 2 a.m., with live entertainment by DJ Trust. Tip off for the Michigan State-Ole Miss game is at 7:09 p.m.
Tip off for the University of Michigan-Auburn game is at 9:30 p.m.

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

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover former Detroit Police Chief James Craig’s mayoral candidacy announcement; President Donald Trump’s nomination of Dearborn Heights mayor Bill Bazzi as the next U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia; and more.

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James Craig for mayor of Detroit

Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig announced his plans to run for mayor of the city Wednesday morning at an event at the Executive Cuts barber shop in Detroit.

“I stand before you, not as a candidate, but as someone who has walked these streets,” he said.

Craig — who served as Detroit’s police chief from 2013 until 2021 — has previously run for governor of the state and for one of Michigan’s U.S. Senate seats. He campaigned for both of those offices as a Republican.  Craig is now one of several candidates seeking the mayor’s job, including City Council president Mary Sheffield, former Council president Saunteel Jenkins, current Councilmember Fred Durhal III, pastor Solomon Kinloch and attorney Todd Perkins. 

Bill Bazzi named US ambassador to Tunisia

President Donald Trump has nominated Dearborn Heights mayor Bill Bazzi to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia.  Trump made the announcement on his TruthSocial platform. 

In the message, Trump praised Bazzi’s time as a U.S. Marine, and his career at Ford Motor Company. Bazzi became the mayor of Dearborn Heights in early 2021. He’s the second metro Detroit mayor nominated by Trump for an ambassadorship. Trump nominated Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib to become the next ambassador to Kuwait. Both Bazzi and Ghalib must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before the appointments become effective. 

Detroit casinos report revenue dip last month

Detroit’s three casinos are reporting lower revenues for the month of February. Together they posted revenues of $98.8 million.  That’s down 6.4% from the same month last year. 

MGM Grand has the largest share of the market at 47%. Motor City has 27% and Hollywood Casino at Greektown has 24% of the market. Casino profits continue to provide taxes for Detroit. The three gaming houses provided the city with $11.7 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments. The casinos also paid $7.9 million in state gaming taxes last month. 

Detroit Fire Department continues safety webinars

The Detroit Fire Department is holding another of its safety webinars at 6 p.m. this Wednesday to address fire risks associated with cooking, smoking and lighting candles at home.

The city says nearly a quarter of all home fires in Detroit are connected to cooking. Residents walking away from items left on the stove are a major problem. Webinars on other topics are scheduled for April 9, May 14 and June 11.  You can join any of those webinars at DetroitMI.gov/safetyseries. 

City of Detroit to begin yard waste pickup

The city of Detroit says it will begin picking up yard waste again, beginning on March 31. Residents can place grass clippings, leaves and small twigs in paper lawn bags to be collected weekly. Branches and larger twigs should be bundled together and placed at the curb.  Yard waste in plastic bags will not be collected. Detroit’s yard waste program is scheduled to continue until mid-December, when it will take a break for the winter months. 

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