Mary Sheffield

Stories

Detroit unveils car-free Monroe Street in Greektown after $20M rebuild

Mayor; former Detroit City Council member (12 years)

After 19 months of construction, Greektown's Monroe Street reopened Wednesday as a car-free plaza from Brush to St. Antoine. The $20 million state-funded redesign adds granite paving, 50 trees, 50 smart lampposts with cameras, and free public Wi-Fi from Cronus Internet. Greektown's 124 security cameras run on Cronus's network and feed Detroit police's Real Time Crime Center.

Updated Yesterday

Detroit plans more than 200 new bus shelters, benches through 2027

Built World

Leading the bus stop upgrade initiative

Detroit city leaders said Sept. 28 they will install more than 200 new bus shelters and 200 benches at bus stops through 2027, with about 100 shelters and 80 benches already in place. The upgrades target high-ridership stops across the city, part of the DDOT Reimagined plan to improve the transit system.

Updated Sep 30

Detroit building first BMX bike park at Dorais Park; a resident says it is open

Built World

Current mayor, promoting park investments

Detroit is building its first BMX bike and nature park at Dorais Park, a $1.5 million project the city announced in July with more than a mile of multi-use trails, a BMX course and upgraded playground equipment, and said would be complete in autumn 2026. It is one of 11 neighbourhood parks being upgraded under a $19.85 million programme funded by city, federal, state and philanthropic money, including the Gilbert Family Foundation.

Updated Sep 19

Severe storms knock out power for hundreds of thousands in Detroit

Built World

Declared a local state of emergency on Sept. 4

A line of severe storms swept through Southeast Michigan on Sept. 3-4, knocking out power to more than 350,000 utility customers and dropping an EF-2 tornado on Detroit's east side. The tornado was the first to touch down inside Detroit city limits in nearly 30 years.

Updated Sep 6

Detroit City Council weighs emergency demolition of vacant Dakota house

Built World

Presiding over the body that must approve the demolition contract

A vacant house on Detroit's west side has sat empty long enough that the city wants it gone. Detroit's procurement office filed an emergency demolition contract with the City Council on July 27, asking approval to pay DMC Consultants Inc. $28,350 to tear down the structure at 118 W Dakota.

Updated Aug 26

Notable Quotes

To see us here today, I know that it's going to really impact the businesses here in a positive way, and the overall experience of our residents.

from Detroit unveils car-free Monroe Street in Greektown after $20M rebuild · Updated Yesterday

While buses are arriving in a timelier manner, it is a major priority to make this customer-focused investment at hundreds of bus stops across the city to help improve the experience of waiting for your bus to arrive.

from Detroit plans more than 200 new bus shelters, benches through 2027 · Updated Sep 30

Strong, vibrant neighborhoods are ones that have convenient access to high-quality parks.

from Detroit building first BMX bike park at Dorais Park; a resident says it is open · Updated Sep 19