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👋 Annalise here! Joe and I will be trying out coffee shops across the region to see which have the best flavors, ambiance and conditions for remote work.

First up, my visit to The Dovetail, a very chill, very odd cafe in Warren.

👽 Vibes: This spot is majorly eclectic, from murals of aliens and mythical forests swathing the walls to small tchotchkes dotting counters and a strange fixation on quails.

Seriously — why quails? (Visit and see for yourself.)

I enjoyed my time there. It seems like a good third place.

🌯 Flavors: Peruse a huge and affordable menu with a solid range of food options, including a $9 turkey wrap, $8 quesadilla and $7.50 Cuban sandwich.

I didn't try the meals, but my dirty chai was average and affordable ($5).

A laptop and coffee mug, with murals in the background

💻 Workability: There's solid WiFi and a variety of seating options. The cafe was empty when I came around 10am, but it seems like it gets busier in the evening.

If you go: The Dovetail's hours are a nice change of pace for those with evening caffeine appetites. It opens at 10am, and closing hours vary between 4pm, 7pm and 9pm.

Lots of open mics and events, which may be a plus or minus.

First sip: Good old strangeness at The Dovetail in Warren

Axios Detroit is visiting coffee shops around the region to find our faves.

Interior of a cozy cafe with yellow walls, colorful murals, various tables and chairs.

The Dovetail at 29200 Hoover Road. Photos: Annalise Frank/Axios

👋 Annalise here! Joe and I will be trying out coffee shops across the region to see which have the best flavors, ambiance and conditions for remote work.First up, my visit to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Dovetail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/thedovetaildetroit/" data-vars-content-id="0e693b86-ae1b-461a-8bf0-0d371e0963ca" data-vars-headline="First sip: Good old strangeness at The Dovetail in Warren" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/thedovetaildetroit/" target="_blank">The Dovetail</a>, a very chill, very odd cafe in Warren.

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A revitalization strategy is growing in Detroit in which property owners band together to pay voluntary, tax-like fees to upgrade their corridors.

Why it matters: The creation of a third Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) in Detroit is an example of property owners and businesses buying into the future of their communities — in a city where landowner negligence is all too common.

The latest: About 75% of voting property owners approved a BIZ last month for the east-side Rivertown neighborhood along Jefferson Avenue and the riverfront, per Chip Rohde, president of the Rivertown Detroit Association, a group of area residents and businesses.

How it works: A BIZ is a designated area created voluntarily by property owners that requires them to pay a special fee, generally alongside property taxes. It funds improvement work like cleaning, landscaping, new landmark signs and security.

It's also promoted as a tool to help raise property values.

Flashback: The first Michigan BIZ was created along the West Vernor and Springwells business corridors in southwest Detroit in the mid-2000s. Then Detroit got a second BIZ downtown in 2014.

Corktown businesses have also explored the idea, which has become popular across the country.

Map showing Rivertown Business Improvement Zone in Detroit along the Detroit River, with black boundary lines marking the zone area including streets like E Congress St and Jefferson Ave, near Belle Isle.

The Rivertown business improvement zone. Map: Courtesy of Detroit Rivertown BIZ

By the numbers: The Rivertown BIZ launches April 1. An elected board is working to finalize plans for what the BIZ will do.

The area covers nearly 300 commercial parcels and expects to take in $850,000 a year from the fees, per a news release.

Context: The storied neighborhood with a mix of condos, apartments, commercial buildings and riverfront recreation has experienced disinvestment over the years.

Yes, but: It's also seen renewed investment interest with the build-out of the riverfront.

What they're saying: "I always cite Midtown … [and] Corktown has growth over there, the train station, we want Rivertown to be that same type of environment," says Rohde, also president of longtime Jefferson Avenue real estate firm Arthur J. Rohde and Co.

He wants the BIZ to help maintain cleanliness, safety and beauty, letting not just residents and riverfront visitors but also businesses to know Rivertown is the place to be.

Rohde notes the recent news that Maryland defense company Eccalon is bringing 800 jobs to a new headquarters along the riverfront in the BIZ boundary.

Property owners launch Rivertown improvement zone

The new zone will fund cleaning, landscaping and security in the neighborhood.

Urban street with parked cars, wet snow piles, and puddles. Brownstone buildings line the street under a partly cloudy blue sky with patches of sunlight.

A stretch of Jefferson Avenue in the zone's boundary. Photo: Annalise Frank/Axios

A revitalization strategy is growing in Detroit in which property owners band together to pay voluntary, tax-like fees to upgrade their corridors.Why it matters: The creation of a third Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) in Detroit is an example of property owners and businesses buying into the future of their communities — in a city where landowner negligence is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="all too common" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0UcYXWCPR8" data-vars-content-id="39a92960-3509-4aa4-a721-48a394582f4c" data-vars-headline="Property owners launch Rivertown improvement zone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0UcYXWCPR8" target="_blank">all too common</a>.

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A new book about race, place and Detroit's revitalization examines how narratives about the city's recovery from bankruptcy may benefit outsiders while marginalizing residents.

Why it matters: In "Detroit Never Left: Black Space, White Borders, Latino Crossings," author Nicole Trujillo-Pagán aims to challenge the city's corporate-driven story.

The book, out March 3, delves into the borders, exclusions, racism and segregation that have defined the city's past and present.

State of play: The Wayne State associate professor of sociology spent eight years researching and writing the book, interviewing young Latino Detroiters, along with politicians, nonprofit leaders, city workers and others involved in the bankruptcy and after.

Many young residents told her they feel changes in the city happen "to" them instead of "for" them.

That contrasts with messaging from business and philanthropic leaders who have said investments are aimed at benefiting Detroiters.

Zoom in: A central theme of Trujillo-Pagán's research is the expression: "The overlay for the underplay."

"When media or politicians [or someone with power] say one thing, they're in fact doing something else," she explains.

For example, a corporation with a legacy that critics describe as disenfranchising longtime residents and low-income people also provides charity to those communities.

She argues the two sentiments are not a contradiction of priorities, but part of the same strategy.

Context: Many praise influential figures in Detroit, like billionaire real estate mogul Dan Gilbert, for bringing investment and jobs to the city while revitalizing old downtown buildings.

Zoom out: But critics say business leaders' actions reshape the city for outsiders and can displace longtime residents.

Flashback: After growing up in New York City in the 1970s amid its financial crisis, Trujillo-Pagán later moved to Detroit in 2006 to work for Wayne State.

She initially assumed many young Detroiters would want to leave amid high unemployment and unreliable city services at the time.

Conversations with students completely shifted her perspective.

What they're saying: "You had to see the city from their perspective to understand that there was a real disconnect between what the media said about Detroit, and how Detroiters experience Detroit," Trujillo-Pagán says.

When she'd ask students where they want to go after graduation, "they're looking at me like I'm crazy. 'What are you talking about? Our lives, our family, everything's here.'"

That prompted interviewing youth and researching the book, which examines how Latino communities intersect with the dynamics of anti-Blackness and white power structures in Detroit.

What's next: Trujillo-Pagán will host events to discuss the book locally, including 3-5pm Saturday, April 18 at the Detroit Public Library's main branch.

The date is to be determined for another event at the U of M Detroit Center.

She'll also host at Ann Arbor's downtown library Sept. 23 for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Wayne State professor's new book digs into race and space in Detroit

The book explores race, borders and power in the city's recovery.

Side-by-side images of the book "Detroit Never Left" and its author, Nicole Trujillo-Pagán. 

"Detroit Never Left" and Nicole Trujillo-Pagán. Images: Courtesy of NYU Press

A new book about race, place and Detroit&#x27;s revitalization examines how narratives about the city&#x27;s recovery from bankruptcy may benefit outsiders while marginalizing residents.Why it matters: In &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit Never Left: Black Space, White Borders, Latino Crossings" data-vars-click-url="https://nyupress.org/9781479826827/detroit-never-left/" data-vars-content-id="39ea950a-fba5-4bf4-846f-81263468fa18" data-vars-headline="Wayne State professor&#x27;s new book digs into race and space in Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nyupress.org/9781479826827/detroit-never-left/" target="_blank">Detroit Never Left: Black Space, White Borders, Latino Crossings</a>,&quot; author <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nicole Trujillo-Pagán" data-vars-click-url="https://clasprofiles.wayne.edu/profile/bb3729" data-vars-content-id="39ea950a-fba5-4bf4-846f-81263468fa18" data-vars-headline="Wayne State professor&#x27;s new book digs into race and space in Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://clasprofiles.wayne.edu/profile/bb3729" target="_blank">Nicole Trujillo-Pagán</a> aims to challenge the city&#x27;s corporate-driven story.

Culture

A local organization known for assisting small Black-owned businesses is venturing into a new arena: home rehab.

Why it matters: Black Leaders Detroit (BLD) has provided grants and zero-interest loans worth more than $6 million to entrepreneurs since 2020.

Now, CEO Dwan Dandridge also aims to respond to housing needs — more ready-to-move-in single-family housing, and more access to capital for Black residential real estate developers.

State of play: BLD launched its Building Fund last year, offering zero-interest loans up to $150,000 to developers renovating single-family homes, or small complexes up to four units.

As a former general contractor, Dandridge saw investors from other states and countries buying up real estate in Detroit.

He wants to make sure "Detroiters that have been here for generations have opportunity to benefit from what's happened with the real estate market … People that we like to say 'kept the lights on,' right?"

Zoom in: BLD partnered with Building Community Value, a local nonprofit that teaches people how to develop buildings and revitalize their neighborhoods.

So far the loans have gone to 15 projects, and one on the east side has been completed.

Between the lines: BLD is still funding small businesses and nonprofits, too, including commencing its fourth year of Black History Month grants.

Each weekday of the month, a different Detroit-based nonprofit led by someone of African descent gets a surprise grant of $5,000, for a total of $100,000.

So far, recipients have included Dream of Detroit, Moguls in the Making and J.O.B. Lactation.

What's next: With spring comes BLD's annual cycling event. Dandridge has ridden from Detroit to Mackinac Island in the past, but is keeping the rides in town this year.

The Ride For Unity event series May 14-17 will tour local business corridors like Livernois Avenue.

In the fall, Dandridge aims to launch a support program for young, aspiring developers that would send them through the Building Community Value program and loan them $50,000 to buy into a real estate project.

Black Leaders Detroit expands into home rehab

The group now offers zero-interest loans to support local housing developers.

Four people smiling indoors, holding a large green check for $5,000 made out to Dream Detroit for BHM Grant 2026.

Dwan Dandridge (right) of Black Leaders Detroit with representatives from the nonprofit Dream of Detroit. BLD still gives out grants to local organizations, but it's also delving into home rehab funding. Photo: Courtesy of Twelve Twelve Studios

A local organization known for assisting small Black-owned businesses is venturing into a new arena: home rehab.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Black Leaders Detroit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.blackleadersdetroit.org/" data-vars-content-id="7afe523f-14a2-4031-9664-e92b50864e27" data-vars-headline="Black Leaders Detroit expands into home rehab" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.blackleadersdetroit.org/" target="_blank">Black Leaders Detroit</a> (BLD) has provided grants and zero-interest loans worth more than $6 million to entrepreneurs since 2020.

Real Estate

A new photo exhibition at Irwin House Gallery examines decades of Detroit policing through the perspective of a former detective who learned difficult truths about the criminal justice system.

State of play: "Friendly Fire," from Detroit native artist Khary Mason, reflects his experiences on both sides of the law.

The show depicts his path from watching police TV shows as a child to entering the police academy looking to become a hero. And then — discovering truths about the system "at odds with his intentions and everything he was trained to believe," per a news release.

Zoom in: Mason went from working as a Detroit homicide detective to investigating claims of wrongful convictions under the Michigan Attorney General's Office, helping get six individuals exonerated. He also co-founded a photography program for city youth, and is involved in public speaking and other mentorship.

A range of photos down a hallway as part of the exhibition.

"Friendly Fire." Photo: Courtesy of Irwin House Detroit

If you go: Friendly Fire runs through March 15. Hours are noon-7pm Thursdays-Saturdays and noon-5pm Sundays, plus by appointment. Events include an open mic night 6-9pm Friday hosted by Mason and a soundscape listening party Feb. 22.

Zoom out: Alongside partners, Irwin House has also organized Sacred Spaces, a fourth annual self-guided tour across the city throughout Black History Month of Black-led arts spaces.

More than 20 spaces are participating, with exhibitions and events including a free art exhibition with art for sale at Alkebulan Village (1-5pm Saturday and Sunday) and the opening of "From Ghana and Beyond" at Harper Galleries (noon-5pm Saturday and Sunday).

Frame Work: "Friendly Fire" delves into police narratives

The Irwin House exhibition looks at the past, present and future of law enforcement.

Portrait of a man holding a camera in a dimly lit hallway; second photo is of a wall with black and white photographs

Artist Khary Mason, and photos in the exhibition. Photos: Caria Taylor (left) and courtesy of Irwin House Detroit (right). 

A new photo exhibition at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Irwin House Gallery" data-vars-click-url="https://irwinhousegallery.org/" data-vars-content-id="8b8e15d2-c367-4ee7-b53c-75809ec6a950" data-vars-headline="Frame Work: &quot;Friendly Fire&quot; delves into police narratives" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://irwinhousegallery.org/" target="_blank">Irwin House Gallery</a> examines decades of Detroit policing through the perspective of a former detective who learned difficult truths about the criminal justice system.State of play: &quot;Friendly Fire,&quot; from Detroit native artist <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Khary Mason" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kharymasonstudio.com/" data-vars-content-id="8b8e15d2-c367-4ee7-b53c-75809ec6a950" data-vars-headline="Frame Work: &quot;Friendly Fire&quot; delves into police narratives" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kharymasonstudio.com/" target="_blank">Khary Mason</a>, reflects his experiences on both sides of the law.

Annalise Frank

Featured stories

Wayne State professor's new book digs into race and space in Detroit

First sip: Good old strangeness at The Dovetail in Warren

Property owners launch Rivertown improvement zone

Frame Work: "Friendly Fire" delves into police narratives

Black Leaders Detroit expands into home rehab