Features

Technology and Innovation

Mobility-era automotive success builds on Detroit region’s manufacturing strengths

Sarah RiggWednesday, October 24, 2018

As Detroit celebrates a century of automotive manufacturing, it stands poised to address future mobility with an established talent and manufacturing infrastructure. We consider what lies ahead.

The American Center for Mobility at Willow Run

Community Development

From redevelopment to coffee shops, here's what Ypsi Township residents envision for their future

Sarah RiggWednesday, October 24, 2018

About 1,000 residents gave input on their community's future during a four-day master plan workshop last week.

Melvin Parson at We The People Growers Association gardens

Healthy Communities

We the People Growers Association hosts harvest festival, plans expansion

Sarah RiggWednesday, October 24, 2018

The urban farm, which provides job opportunities to people returning from incarceration, is holding a free public celebration of its fourth year and also unveiling plans for the future.

Arts and Culture

5 (more) hidden gems of Washtenaw County's food scene

Jenn McKeeWednesday, October 17, 2018

When we looked for the hidden gems in Washtenaw County's food scene, we found a lot of great options. So many, in fact, that we had to make a part two.

Diversity

Why this EMU senior created The BlackBook, a campus and community resource for students of color

Sarah RiggWednesday, October 17, 2018

Not everyone has the resources to navigate college life. That's why Honore Washington created The BlackBook, a guide for EMU students of color to resources on campus and in the greater Ypsilanti community.

Mentor2Youth participant Charles Green with friends at the downtown Ypsilanti District Library

Kids and Education

Youth mentoring nonprofit hosts 'Taste of Ypsi' fall fundraising gala Oct. 20

Sarah RiggWednesday, October 17, 2018

Mentor 2 Youth, an Ypsilanti-based mentoring nonprofit with a mission to educate and empower local youth, will host its fall gala from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse with a theme of "Taste of Ypsi."

Under the Radar Michigan host Tom Daldin outside the Ann Arbor restaurant Miss Kim

Arts and Culture

Ypsilanti restaurant Sidetrack to host viewing party for Washtenaw County-themed episode of PBS show

Sarah RiggWednesday, October 17, 2018

Area residents are invited to a watch on Oct. 18 at Sidetrack restaurant, as the PBS series "Under the Radar Michigan" begins its ninth season by highlighting Washtenaw County-based businesses and organizations.

Lauren Beriont, Tim Doyle, Karina Souksay, Lindsay Kyle, Patton and Janice Doyle at Decode Ypsilanti

Economic Development

Small businesses and nonprofits fill long-vacant buildings in downtown Ypsilanti

Sarah RiggWednesday, October 10, 2018

Downtown Ypsilanti is getting a facelift as several new businesses have opened and long-vacant buildings are being renovated and occupied.

Vault of Midnight's building in downtown Ann Arbor

Economic Development

Owners of Ann Arbor's Vault of Midnight comic store to buy building as landlords retire

Sarah RiggWednesday, October 10, 2018

The three co-owners of Ann Arbor's 22-year-old comic book shop, Vault of Midnight, will also own the building at 219 S. Main in November.

Participants in the Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition

Economic Development

Entrepreneur pitch competition for youth comes to Ann Arbor

Jaishree Drepaul-BruderWednesday, October 10, 2018

Run by, and for, students, the Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition is the biggest of its kind in the United States.

Flyer for Ypsilanti Township's masterplan workshop

Building Communities

Ypsilanti Township hosts four-day master plan workshop, seeks public input

Sarah RiggWednesday, October 10, 2018

What will it take for Ypsilanti Charter Township to retain existing residents and attract new ones? That is the central question being addressed during a four-day master plan workshop.

Juan Aguirre and Adam Rosenberg of Green Wolverine

Entrepreneurship

How one U-M student turned a passion for legal cannabusiness into a national nonprofit

Afaf HumayunWednesday, October 3, 2018

Adam Rosenberg is the founder of Green Wolverine, a cannabis industry-focused student organization that started at U-M and now has numerous chapters nationwide.

Arts and Culture

Here's what we saw, heard, and learned at TEDxYDL 2018

Sarah RiggWednesday, October 3, 2018

Inspired by the broad theme of "mobility," speakers tackled topics touching on vehicles, people, nature, and ideas in motion.

A Toyota volunteer works on a Habitat for Humanity house in Ypsi Township.

Community Development

Toyota, Habitat for Humanity celebrate 11-year partnership with 14th home in Ypsi Township

Sarah RiggWednesday, October 3, 2018

Habitat is moving into new neighborhoods in the township, having priced itself out of certain neighborhoods.

Economic Development

Oxford Companies acquires 777 E. Eisenhower, plans to catalyze an alternative to downtown Ann Arbor

Sarah RiggWednesday, October 3, 2018

The company hopes to make the State-Eisenhower corridor more pedestrian-friendly and introduce new retail or restaurant options into the area.

Runyonland choreographer Chris Campbell works with the cast in SHEL rehearsals.

Arts and Culture

New Ann Arbor theater company Runyonland Productions launches debut season

Emily BendaWednesday, October 3, 2018

The group of U-M theater students behind the new company is aiming to bring Broadway-caliber talent and shows to town.

Diversity

Ann Arbor women's leadership conference promises strategies to combat pay inequality, gender bias

Jaishree Drepaul-BruderWednesday, October 3, 2018

Hosted by Ann Arbor-based DaySmart Software, the new event aims to offer something more than the average women's leadership summit.

Mary Morgan of The CivCity Initiative at Workantile in downtown Ann Arbor

Community Development

Q&A: Mary Morgan reflects on Ann Arbor as she prepares to leave it

Patrick DunnWednesday, September 26, 2018

In advance of the seasoned writer, editor, and nonprofit founder's departure from town, we chatted with her about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for our community.

Economic Development

Ypsi adopts community benefits ordinance, bolstering residents' role in development process

Brianna KellyWednesday, September 26, 2018

The new ordinance is the result of a citizen-led coalition's efforts to establish a community process that engages all residents in development decisions.