Category: Detroit, Michigan Local News

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Detroit is often framed by big stories. Industry. Music. Comeback headlines. Yet much of Detroit’s hidden history sits quietly along its streets. You find it by walking, not rushing. Sidewalks, parks, and older buildings still carry traces of the people and events that shaped the city long before it earned the Motor City name.

Exploring Detroit on foot changes how the city feels. History stops being abstract. It becomes something you notice block by block.

Why Detroit’s Past Is Best Found on the Streets

Detroit grew around movement. Trade routes, factories, rail lines, and later automobiles shaped how the city spread. That history still shows at street level.

Walking through Downtown Detroit lets you notice patterns. Old commercial corridors. Civic spaces built for crowds. Quiet corners where stories linger.

How a Walking Tour Changes What You Notice

A walking tour slows everything down. That slower pace matters. You start to notice carved stone details, faded signage, and plaques most people pass without seeing. Along Woodward Ave, early design choices hint at Detroit’s push toward innovation.

Street-level exploration also helps connect moments in Detroit history. One block tells an industrial story. The next points to community life. Together, they form a clearer picture of how the city evolved.

Bulky wallets, loose cards, or overstuffed pockets can become distracting fast when spending long stretches on foot, especially when stopping often to take photos or read markers. That’s why many walkers streamline what they bring by using a low-profile travel wallet that keeps essentials secure without adding bulk, making it easier to stay focused on the surroundings instead of your gear.

People Who Left Their Mark on the City

Detroit’s past is shaped by individuals who pushed ideas forward or fought for change. Some names are widely known. Others deserve more attention.

Henry Ford and the Early Auto Years

Henry Ford helped change how people moved. His work on the horseless carriage and mass production transformed transportation and daily life. Woodward Ave became a testing ground for early Ford Motor Company automobiles and new ideas.

Thornton Blackburn and the Fight for Freedom

Thornton Blackburn’s story reveals another side of Detroit history. After escaping enslavement, he settled in the city and became a successful business owner. His journey highlights Detroit’s role in freedom movements and the Underground Railroad.

Blackburn’s legacy lives on through neighborhoods and community ties that grew from his presence. His story adds depth to the city’s past and shows how courage and determination shaped local life.

Places Where Hidden History Still Shows

Many historic locations in Detroit aren’t fenced off or formalized. They remain part of daily life. That makes walking the best way to experience them.

Grand Circus Park and Its Overlooked Role

Grand Circus Park has served as a gathering place for more than a century. The park sits at the center of Downtown Detroit, surrounded by theaters, offices, and older buildings that reflect different eras.

Look closely and the park reveals layers of use. Civic events. Entertainment hubs. Moments of pause within a busy city. Even the statues and layout offer clues about what mattered when the park was designed.

Downtown Detroit and the People Mover Station Loop

The People Mover traces a loop through key parts of Downtown Detroit. Walking near these stations helps connect historic areas that once supported commerce and transit.

Public transportation played a major role in shaping how people moved through the city. Exploring these routes on foot shows how older systems influenced modern development. Familiar stops take on new meaning once you know what stood there before.

What a Guided Walk Adds to the Experience

A guided walking tour adds context that signs and maps can’t provide. A local guide can point out details that blend into the background and explain why they matter.

Guided walks also tend to involve frequent stops. You pause to listen, look around, and sometimes take notes or photos. When that happens every few minutes, carrying less becomes noticeable fast. Many walkers simplify what they bring and stick to essentials only, often using a minimalist wallet so cards and ID stay secure without extra bulk getting in the way.

Most hidden history tours run about a 90-minute tour length. That timing works well. It keeps the walk focused without feeling rushed. Small groups also help. An intimate small-group atmosphere allows for questions and discussion, which many history buffs appreciate.

Stories land differently when shared face to face. A guide can adapt based on what catches the group’s attention. That flexibility makes each walk feel personal.

Practical Things to Know Before You Go

Preparation helps turn a good walk into a great one. A few simple choices can make the experience smoother.

Physical Fitness and Accessibility

These walks move at a steady pace. Most routes stay on sidewalks and paved paths, but they do cover distance. Comfortable shoes matter. A basic level of physical fitness helps you stay focused on the stories instead of the effort.

Most tours allow service animals, though it’s smart to confirm details in advance. Downtown Detroit offers fairly even terrain, which helps with accessibility.

What to Carry While Exploring

Long walks call for light gear. Bulky wallets can feel awkward after the first few blocks. Many experienced explorers choose rigid, secure carriers that keep IDs protected and easy to access.

That kind of setup works well during street photography, visits to historic renovations, and time spent outdoors. It keeps essentials safe while leaving your hands free to focus on the city around you.

Detroit’s Hidden History in a Wider Context

Detroit offers a different experience than many historic destinations in North America. Some places focus on preservation alone. Detroit blends history into active neighborhoods.

A Contrast With Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is known for its preserved charm and clear separation from modern life. Detroit feels different. History and daily routines exist side by side.

Walking Detroit feels like uncovering stories that never left. Old buildings still serve new purposes. Streets once shaped by industry now support culture, transit, and community life. That contrast makes the experience feel immediate and grounded.

Conclusion

Exploring Detroit’s hidden history on foot changes how the city comes into focus. Walking through Downtown Detroit, Grand Circus Park, and nearby corridors reveals stories that go beyond industry headlines.

The city’s past shows up in small details. In people. In paths shaped by movement and choice. Take the time to slow down, look closer, and let the streets tell their story. Detroit has plenty to say if you’re willing to walk and listen.

The post Rediscovering the Motor City: A Guide to Exploring Detroit’s Hidden History appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

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No, you’re not tripping!

If you pick up a copy of the latest issue of Detroit Metro Times with the stunning Dita Von Teese on the cover you might notice things look a little bit different than they did before.

We switched to a new printer, resulting in a larger page size of 11 inches by 14.5 inches — bigger than our previous size of 10 inches by 12.5 inches.

The paper quality is also a bit heavier and the colors look a bit brighter, and with a new staple-less design we will be able to print more copies and increase our distribution in the Detroit area.

If you haven’t picked up a copy in a while, you can take a look at our list of locations carrying Detroit Metro Times to see for yourself.

Interested in advertising with us, distributing our paper at your business, or passing along a story tip to our reporters? You can reach us at tips@detroitmetrotimes.com.

Detroit Metro Times is now distributed every other week.

Thanks for reading!

The post Detroit Metro Times boasts new larger print edition appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

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Lee DeVito

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Joseph John Zainea, a longtime Detroit restaurateur and community figure who helped build and sustain the Majestic Theatre Center and the city’s historic Garden Bowl, has died. 

He was 92.

Zainea died Feb. 4, according to a family obituary. He was born Jan. 4, 1934.

Often known as “Papa Joe” to customers and staff, Zainea was a central presence for decades at the Garden Bowl on Woodward Avenue, which is believed to be one of the nation’s longest continuously operating bowling alleys. The business became a gathering place for generations of Detroiters.

Zainea and his family later expanded the operation into what is now known as the Majestic Theatre Center, a complex of venues and restaurants in Midtown that includes the Majestic Theatre, the Magic Stick, Sgt. Pepperoni’s, and the Alley Deck, which have become known for hosting a variety of local and touring musical acts across multiple genres. (Framed fliers from notable shows from throughout the years decorate its walls.) His sons, David and Joe Zainea, worked alongside him for years and led the expansion of the family business.

Zainea was known for his hands-on approach and for building long relationships with customers and employees. Family members said he believed businesses should put people first and serve as anchors in their neighborhoods.

During the 1967 Detroit uprising, Zainea and his family opened the Garden Bowl to police officers, firefighters, National Guard members, and others, providing food and a place to rest.

Beyond his business work, Zainea was active in civic and nonprofit efforts. He received a lifetime achievement award in 2008 from Preservation Wayne for his community involvement. He also served on the board of The Children’s Center of Wayne County, which provides mental and behavioral health services for children and families.

Zainea is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary; their children, Leane, David, Kathryn, and Joe; and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 11, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Detroit. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

The post Joseph Zainea, longtime steward of Detroit’s Majestic Theatre and Garden Bowl, dies at 92 appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

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Steve Neavling

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Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 oil tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac would permanently damage wetlands and harm an area of deep cultural and historical importance to Indigenous tribes, prompting renewed criticism from pipeline opponents, according to a new federal environmental review.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed tunnel concludes that Enbridge’s preferred alternative would permanently disturb wetlands and alter geological resources during construction. The report also finds the project would cause adverse effects to the Straits of Mackinac Traditional Cultural Landscape and to culturally important resources for Anishinaabe tribal nations.

The environmental review identifies permanent wetland losses caused by fill and construction within multiple wetland areas and says those wetlands may not recover after construction. It also estimates that about 665,000 cubic yards of excavated material would be removed during construction of the tunnel, shafts, and portals, permanently changing subsurface geology beneath the Straits of Mackinac.

The report also states that construction activity, noise, and visual disturbance could interfere with tribal ceremonial and cultural practices and would adversely affect archaeological resources and traditional use areas along both shorelines of the Straits of Mackinac.

Sean McBrearty, campaign coordinator for Oil & Water Don’t Mix, a group opposed to the pipeline, said Friday that the Corps’ findings undercut the case for the tunnel.

“From start to finish, the Army Corps fast-tracked Enbridge’s tunnel proposal under political pressure. Even so, the Final EIS makes clear that this project would cause lasting harm to the Great Lakes,” McBrearty said.

He added that the report confirms permanent wetland loss and the large-scale excavation required to construct the tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac.

“These impacts are not temporary, and they cannot be undone,” McBrearty said.

McBrearty also pointed to the Corps’ acknowledgment that the project would adversely affect archaeological sites and a traditional cultural landscape and that industrial activity associated with construction could interfere with tribal ceremonial and cultural practices.

He criticized what he described as unresolved treaty rights concerns associated with the project and said the federal review leaves critical questions unanswered about how tribal rights would be protected.

“This tunnel is not a solution,” McBrearty said. “It’s a massive industrial intrusion into the Great Lakes, designed to keep oil flowing for decades longer.”

The Army Corps’ environmental review does not approve or deny the project. A final permit decision will be issued later in a formal record of decision.

McBrearty said opponents are now urging state regulators to block the tunnel, arguing that Michigan is not required to follow the federal government’s conclusions.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will decide whether to issue a Clean Water Act permit for the project. 

Based on the Corps’ own findings of permanent wetland loss, lasting environmental damage, unresolved treaty rights, and years of disruptive construction, EGLE and Governor Gretchen Whitmer have both the authority and the responsibility to reject Enbridge’s tunnel scheme and protect the Great Lakes for future generations,” McBrearty said. 

Meanwhile, the future of Line 5 is tied up in court. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a case in March that could determine whether a long-running lawsuit by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel seeking to shut down the existing Line 5 pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac belongs in state or federal court.

Nessel originally sued Enbridge in 2019, arguing the decades-old dual pipelines pose an unacceptable risk of a catastrophic oil spill where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet. After Enbridge succeeded in moving the case to federal court, Nessel challenged that transfer, arguing the company missed the legal deadline to remove the case from state court.

A federal appeals court later agreed with Nessel and ordered the case sent back to state court, finding Enbridge’s request to move the case had been filed too late. Enbridge then asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review that ruling, arguing the appeals court’s decision conflicts with how other federal courts have interpreted the removal deadline.

The high court’s review is expected to resolve that dispute and determine where Nessel’s shutdown lawsuit will ultimately be heard. Enbridge has said the Supreme Court case does not affect its separate lawsuit challenging Whitmer’s decision to revoke the company’s easement to operate Line 5 on the lakebed beneath the Straits of Mackinac.

The post Army Corps report warns of permanent wetland and cultural impacts from Line 5 tunnel appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

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Steve Neavling

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After doing business in Detroit’s North End neighborhood for more than six decades, Parks Old Style Bar-B-Que is closing its doors for good.

The small carryout spot whose ribs became famous in the region announced via a handwritten note on its door that its final day of business would be Sunday, Feb. 8, according to the Michigan Chronicle and other outlets.

Until then it is accepting walk-in orders only.

Parks first opened in 1964 by Edward Parks, who passed the business onto his son Roderick Parks Sr., who then passed it onto his son Rod Parks Jr.

In 2014, Metro Times reported that Parks was selling between 2,500 to 3,000 pounds of ribs a week, drawing diners from the suburbs with its ribs and chicken slathered in house-made sauces, including a vinegar-based Southern style.

Even as the city depopulated, Parks held on strong, and Roderick Parks Sr. was optimistic in a rebound. 

“Oh, the neighborhood has changed tremendously,” he told Metro Times in 2014. “When we came here, you didn’t have all those vacant lots or dilapidated housing. The area is in transition. They’re building a lot of townhouses down south of us, there’s some north of us. Eventually there will be some housing improvement in Highland Park, Hamtramck. So I’m confident that the North End will survive and will prosper.”

According to Crain’s Detroit Business, Roderick Parks Jr. said that foot traffic had declined in recent times and his father is facing health issues.

Parks Old Style Bar-B-Q is located at 7444 Beaubien St., Detroit; parksoldstylebar-b-q.com.

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Lee DeVito

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Getting high and watching a theatrical performance of dystopian The Handmaid’s Tale sounds like it could be a bit frightening, but you’d be in good hands at this upcoming Detroit event. 

The Apotheculture Club is partnering with chefs from Detroit’s popular Gladys Nite food pop-up as part of its series pairing cannabis with live theater.

Chefs Jessica Kindle and Kayleigh Waterman of Gladys Nite will cook up a THC-infused meal ahead of a group outing to see the final performance of the run of The Handmaid’s Tale at the Detroit Opera House, an operatic adaptation of the popular book and TV show. The event is set for Saturday, March 7.

According to the Apotheculture Club, the THC levels in each dish are tailored to each member’s individual tolerance. The dinner is held at a private residence, and attendees are then transported to the Detroit Opera House and back for “late night snacks.”

Given the dark subject matter of the show, the Gladys Nite chefs say they are trying to keep the menu fun.

“The story of The Handmaid’s Tale is one of tragedy and deep emotional connection, so before sending Apotheculture Club members off to the opera we would like to highlight  the joy of the diversity of the world that we live in now,” the chefs said in a statement. “Our menu is inspired by the ‘Little America’ of the television show, where the diversity of American and Canadian culture combine. We will be using fresh local seasonal produce and a variety of cooking  styles to bring flavors from some of the many cultures that make up the America we  know today.” 

If this sounds like a good time, you can get tickets at posh.vip for $125 per person, with additional benefits offered to those who have been previously incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses. 

“We talk openly about cannabis progress at our events, and our conversations have inspired some members to sponsor seats at the dinner table for system-impacted folks,” says Apotheculture Club founder James Blaszko. “We want to help reduce the stigma on recreational consumption, and hope to inspire a shift in national cannabis policy.” 

The event starts at 4:30 p.m. at the private residence with dinner at 5 p.m. and a return to the residence expected for 10:45 p.m.

The Apotheculture Club launched in 2023 in Detroit and has held events across the U.S. More information is also available on Instagram @apothecultureclub.

Gladys Nite is known for its popular residencies in Detroit nightclubs Spot Lite and UFO Bar in recent years. It is on Instagram @gladysnitedetroit.

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Lee DeVito

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The Detroit Pistons have traded guard Jaden Ivey to the Chicago Bulls as part of a three-team deal that brings two new players to the Motor City roster. The complex transaction, confirmed Tuesday, sends the former fifth overall draft pick away from Detroit after more than three seasons with the franchise

Ivey heads to Chicago alongside veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr., who was shipped from the Minnesota Timberwolves. In return, the Pistons acquire guard Kevin Huerter and forward Dario Saric from the Timberwolves, plus a 2026 first-round protected swap, according to ESPN.

Ivey’s departure follows injury-disrupted tenure in Detroit

The move closes the book on what appeared to be a cornerstone player for Detroit’s rebuild. Ivey, selected with the No. 5 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, averaged 14.9 points and 4.0 assists across 214 career games with the Pistons. Through his first 181 games, he had posted 16.1 points and 4.4 assists while starting 164 contests.

“It’s tough. This is where the building of relationships matters,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Trying to build relationships with people and trying to communicate with people all throughout the season and the summer, it makes times like this a little less difficult.”

The trade comes at a particularly challenging time, given Ivey’s injury-plagued recent history. The guard was having a breakout 2024-25 campaign before suffering a broken left fibula on New Year’s Day 2025 that derailed his season.

Injury troubles derailed breakout season

During the first 30 games of the 2024-25 season, Ivey was playing at career-best levels. He averaged 17.6 points on 40.9% shooting from three-point range, along with 4.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists. The performance established him as Detroit’s second-best player and put him in near All-Star consideration.

Ivey had emerged as the Pistons’ clutch performer, connecting on game-winning shots against the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings. He led the team with 2.5 points per game in clutch moments before the fibula injury ended his breakout campaign.

“My mind was so focused on winning, but I was enjoying every second of playing, leading up to the injury. I was in so much enjoyment that I did not think that could actually happen to me,” Ivey told The Detroit News in December.

His return this season never materialized as expected. After missing the remainder of last season, Ivey suffered a knee injury during training camp that delayed his comeback. He finally made his season debut against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 22, but never reclaimed his previous role.

Struggles to regain form this season

This season, Ivey appeared in just 33 games with only two starts, posting career lows of 8.2 points in 16.8 minutes per game. The reduced role marked a stark contrast from his pre-injury trajectory as a key piece of Detroit’s young core.

“I don’t think a lot of times, people on the outside looking in see the real world implications of what it means to guys at this time of the year,” Bickerstaff said. “It is one thing if you are asking to be moved. But, when it happens, you normally like where you are … It’s not an easy time of the year. We understand that and try to be sensitive to that. Try to create a place where guys feel comfortable expressing their feelings and having conversations.”

Detroit adds shooting with Huerter

The Pistons address a key need by acquiring Huerter, a respected three-point shooter since entering the league in 2018. The 27-year-old has averaged 11.6 points on 37.1% shooting from behind the arc during his career, though he’s struggling this season with a career-low 31.4% from three-point range.

Huerter is averaging 10.9 points per game this season across 44 games with the Bulls, including 11 starts. Detroit becomes his fourth NBA team after Atlanta selected him 19th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft out of Maryland.

Saric joins Pistons with role yet to be defined

The addition of Saric provides frontcourt depth, though his role remains unclear given Detroit’s current roster construction. The 6-foot-10 center has averaged 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds through 498 career games, but has seen limited action this season.

The 31-year-old Saric appeared in just five games for the Sacramento Kings this season, averaging 8.2 minutes per contest. He was part of a three-team trade over the weekend that sent DeAndre Hunter to the Kings and former Piston Dennis Schröder to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

What the trade means for Detroit and Ivey

With Detroit’s roster now featuring additional depth at guard and forward positions, attention shifts to how the new pieces will fit alongside the team’s existing core. The protected first-round swap provides future flexibility, though the immediate impact depends on how quickly Huerter can regain his shooting touch.

For Ivey, the move to Chicago offers a fresh start after injuries derailed what appeared to be a promising trajectory in Detroit. The Bulls acquire a young guard with demonstrated upside, but his recent health setbacks and limited role this season are still part of the equation.

The post Pistons trade rising star Jaden Ivey in three-team deal appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

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Marcus Vance

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Jer Staes

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Too many Michigan families are one medical bill away from financial ruin. I hear it everywhere I go in Oakland County: seniors rationing prescriptions and parents delaying care because the deductible hasn’t been met. Many small business owners are watching their premiums climb year after year affecting sustainability and their ability to keep the staff they have, if they have any at all. This is not the sign of a healthcare industry offering programs to give the public access to quality healthcare. Although, what else can we expect from a system that too often puts profit before people?

As the daughter of immigrants, I grew up understanding how fragile security can be. My parents came to this country believing that hard work would lead to stability. That if you followed the rules, you could build a good life. But today, even families who do everything right can lose everything because someone gets sick. No one should face bankruptcy because they need to see a doctor.

I’m running for Congress in Michigan’s 11th District because I believe we must do better.

Health care affordability isn’t just a personal issue. It’s a Michigan issue. A new report from the Citizens Research Council confirms what too many families already know: Michiganders are less healthy than much of the country, and the reasons go far beyond individual choices. We have higher rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. We die younger. We experience more days of poor physical and mental health each month than the national average.

These outcomes are not inevitable and are the product of poor policy choices.

The report makes clear that health is shaped by more than insurance cards and doctor visits. Transportation, education, income, housing stability, and social connection all play powerful roles in determining whether people thrive or struggle. When unemployment, low wages, unsafe neighborhoods, and unreliable transportation are the norm, health suffers. When mental health care and addiction treatment are inaccessible or unaffordable, families suffer. And when people fall behind financially, the stress alone can make them sick.

Perhaps most striking is the role income plays. According to the research, personal income is the single strongest predictor of health outcomes. Lower pay increases the risk of food insecurity and lack of regular medical care. When income disparities intersect with race, the consequences are devastating. In Michigan, Black infants die at nearly three times the rate of white infants, a moral failure that should outrage every one of us.

This is why simply tinkering around the edges of health insurance is not enough. I support Medicare for All, a health care system that truly puts people first. One that allows access to doctors, prescriptions, mental health services, and addiction treatment without fear of surprise bills or financial collapse. We need to protect patients and ensure continuity of care so people can keep their doctors and get help when they need it. For these reasons and so many more I will always support a program that truly provides access to medical care for all. 

Mental health deserves special attention. Too many Michiganders struggle in silence because care is unavailable or stigmatized. Timely, affordable mental health services should be a basic expectation, not a luxury. The same is true for addiction and recovery services. Nearly every family knows someone affected by substance use disorder. Compassionate, evidence-based treatment saves lives, denying it only makes the crisis worse.

There is good news to build on. Michigan has expanded insurance coverage and maintains a relatively reasonable cost of living. But coverage alone doesn’t guarantee care, and insurance doesn’t mean affordability. If premiums, copays, and deductibles keep rising faster than wages, families will continue to fall through the cracks.

Being a lawyer, I know that systems don’t change on their own. They change when people demand accountability and leaders are willing to take on entrenched interests. I am running because I am willing to fight: for lower costs, fairer rules, and a health care system that treats health as a public good, and doesn’t see Americans as a commodity used to fatten the pockets of those that limit our ability to receive proper medical care.

A healthy Michigan isn’t just about living longer. It’s about living better with dignity and security. Our families deserve nothing less, and I am ready to get to work to make it happen.

Aisha Farooqi is running for Congress in Michigan’s 11th District in Oakland County.

The post Opinion: Michigan deserves Medicare for All appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

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Aisha Farooqi

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