City Chatter: People Mover expansion and a news pivot
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Welcome back to our weekly take on Detroit politics and policy.
🗣️ Data center drama: City Council members voted this week to recommend Mayor Mary Sheffield enact a two-year moratorium on data centers.
- Some members, like Scott Benson, wanted a two-year pause to study potential regulations and environmental impacts, but President Pro Tem Coleman Young II was among those who objected, saying research doesn't take that long. An attempt at a shorter, one-year moratorium failed.
- Latisha Johnson noted concern about a center proposed in District 4, though she didn't specify a location.
- A spokesperson for Sheffield said the mayor will vet and make a decision on the request.
🚃 Where the People Mover could expand: We reported on public transit budget needs discussed by City Council and officials on Monday, but we left some speculative chatter on the cutting room floor.
- The People Mover is reimagining its role and considering where it could expand.
What they're saying: General manager Melia Howard said the People Mover could grow westward toward Michigan Central in Corktown; along Grand River toward the U of M Center for Innovation; east along Jefferson Avenue or into Eastern Market.
- But it wouldn't expand on Woodward Avenue, the QLine's domain.
- Howard wants to keep options open for residents' input — "I really want to hear what they have to say."
🧑🚒 News about the news: A key reporter covering city hall, Malachi Barrett of BridgeDetroit, has departed the online publication to become a firefighter and EMT for the Detroit Fire Department.
- "Detroit has become my home. I got married here, bought my first home on the eastside …" Barrett wrote. "Now I've been given a rare opportunity to join the Fire Department and serve people. I wouldn't do that if I didn't believe in the city."