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Detroit's JW Marriott staffs up for opening

The 601-room riverfront hotel has already booked more than 50 events.

News

Detroit&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newest luxury hotel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/06/hotel-boom-events-conventions" data-vars-content-id="0d48d5d2-92b8-4cd6-b245-37f536d2c49b" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s JW Marriott staffs up for opening" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/06/hotel-boom-events-conventions" target="_self">newest luxury hotel</a> is staffing up ahead of its February opening.The latest: JW Marriott Detroit Water Square recently announced its executive leadership team, led by general manager Joleisha Bradley, who previously oversaw the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reopening of the Dearborn Inn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2025/03/19/dearborn-inn-reopens-after-renovations/82538817007/" data-vars-content-id="0d48d5d2-92b8-4cd6-b245-37f536d2c49b" data-vars-headline="Detroit&#x27;s JW Marriott staffs up for opening" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2025/03/19/dearborn-inn-reopens-after-renovations/82538817007/" target="_blank">reopening of the Dearborn Inn</a>.

Nonprofit pays people $15,000 to call Detroit home

The first Move Detroit grants are helping new and longtime residents move here or stay.

Politics

A new business-funded nonprofit that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="aims to grow Detroit&#x27;s population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/06/coalition-incentives-attract-residents" data-vars-content-id="59e36ad1-2f50-46a9-9fd3-b0df125b859f" data-vars-headline="Nonprofit pays people $15,000 to call Detroit home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/06/coalition-incentives-attract-residents" target="_self">aims to grow Detroit&#x27;s population</a> is giving money to people who pledge to move to or stay in the city.The latest: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Move Detroit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.movedetroit.com/" data-vars-content-id="59e36ad1-2f50-46a9-9fd3-b0df125b859f" data-vars-headline="Nonprofit pays people $15,000 to call Detroit home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.movedetroit.com/" target="_blank">Move Detroit</a> announced the first 13 winners of its Make Detroit Home grants on Tuesday. They&#x27;ll get $15,000 each.

1-minute voter guide: Michigan's Senate race

Compare Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers before Election Day.

Michigan&#x27;s nationally watched U.S. Senate race pits rising progressive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Abdul El-Sayed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/31/el-sayed-rogers-piker-jewish-antisemitism" data-vars-content-id="397a5ff0-27c4-49cc-94cc-32985a0af279" data-vars-headline="1-minute voter guide: Michigan&#x27;s Senate race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/31/el-sayed-rogers-piker-jewish-antisemitism" target="_self">Abdul El-Sayed</a> against Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mike Rogers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/22/mike-rogers-aipac-michigan-senate" data-vars-content-id="397a5ff0-27c4-49cc-94cc-32985a0af279" data-vars-headline="1-minute voter guide: Michigan&#x27;s Senate race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/22/mike-rogers-aipac-michigan-senate" target="_self">Mike Rogers</a>, a former congressman making his second straight Senate run.Why it matters: Michigan is one of a handful of battlegrounds that could determine control of the Senate, where Republicans hold a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="53-47 majority" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/2026-midterms-congress-house-senate-predictions" data-vars-content-id="397a5ff0-27c4-49cc-94cc-32985a0af279" data-vars-headline="1-minute voter guide: Michigan&#x27;s Senate race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/08/2026-midterms-congress-house-senate-predictions" target="_self">53-47 majority</a>.

1-minute voter guide: Michigan governor

Get up to speed on Jocelyn Benson and John James before Election Day.

Michigan voters will elect their first new governor in eight years, choosing between Democrat <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jocelyn Benson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/01/22/secretary-of-state-jocelyn-benson-michigan-governor-race" data-vars-content-id="b8d67938-c642-4a68-8964-9953a8f17fa7" data-vars-headline="1-minute voter guide: Michigan governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2025/01/22/secretary-of-state-jocelyn-benson-michigan-governor-race" target="_self">Jocelyn Benson</a> and Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="John James" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/21/john-james-governor-gop-debate-primary-campaign" data-vars-content-id="b8d67938-c642-4a68-8964-9953a8f17fa7" data-vars-headline="1-minute voter guide: Michigan governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/21/john-james-governor-gop-debate-primary-campaign" target="_self">John James</a>.Why it matters: The winner will inherit a state confronting economic headwinds, from an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uncertain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/18/trump-china-vehicles-evs-cars" data-vars-content-id="b8d67938-c642-4a68-8964-9953a8f17fa7" data-vars-headline="1-minute voter guide: Michigan governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/18/trump-china-vehicles-evs-cars" target="_self">uncertain</a> auto industry and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shrinking workforce" data-vars-click-url="https://bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-is-old-and-getting-older-experts-warn-of-looming-consequences/" data-vars-content-id="b8d67938-c642-4a68-8964-9953a8f17fa7" data-vars-headline="1-minute voter guide: Michigan governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-is-old-and-getting-older-experts-warn-of-looming-consequences/" target="_blank">shrinking workforce</a> to an ongoing trade war <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="with Canada" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/08/trump-tariffs-canada-import-ban-alcohol-dairy-motorcycles" data-vars-content-id="b8d67938-c642-4a68-8964-9953a8f17fa7" data-vars-headline="1-minute voter guide: Michigan governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/08/trump-tariffs-canada-import-ban-alcohol-dairy-motorcycles" target="_self">with Canada</a>.

Why I'm keeping my 16-year-old Honda Accord

A trusted Ferndale mechanic helped me see the value of keeping my old car on the road.

I&#x27;ve always bought used cars, a habit I inherited from my dad.Between the lines: His aging Cadillacs, usually the length of a small boat, used to embarrass me a little. Now I get it.

Fifth Third invests $20M in northeast Detroit neighborhoods

The investment will target housing, jobs and small businesses in G7 and Denby/Whittier.

Business

Fifth Third Bank is investing $20 million in one of the most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historically disinvested areas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2023/05/12/detroits-g7-area-overhaul-dangerous-gratiot" data-vars-content-id="074ec4d2-12e8-44c7-8931-54cbb22fe45d" data-vars-headline="Fifth Third invests $20M in northeast Detroit neighborhoods" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2023/05/12/detroits-g7-area-overhaul-dangerous-gratiot" target="_self">historically disinvested areas</a> of Detroit.Why it matters: The bank&#x27;s commitment comes as Mayor Mary Sheffield pushes for more investment outside downtown.

Dutch Girl Donuts opens second location

The beloved bakery's new location opens Tuesday with morning hours.

Food and Drink

Starting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd-FAdUizVW/?stkn=dzJybDQyM2R2M29n" data-vars-content-id="9aee4fac-9183-4cb5-a2fe-cc9b8675ecdb" data-vars-headline="Dutch Girl Donuts opens second location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd-FAdUizVW/?stkn=dzJybDQyM2R2M29n" target="_blank">Tuesday</a> on East Grand Boulevard, you can get <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dutch Girl Donuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dutchgirldetroit.com/" data-vars-content-id="9aee4fac-9183-4cb5-a2fe-cc9b8675ecdb" data-vars-headline="Dutch Girl Donuts opens second location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dutchgirldetroit.com/" target="_blank">Dutch Girl Donuts</a>.The big picture: Beloved bakery Dutch Girl is expanding to a second location.

Bad Brad's BBQ buildout takes shape in Ferndale

The local barbecue chain is preparing to open its sixth location.

Construction work was underway last week at the former Otus Supply in Ferndale.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bad Brad&#x27;s BBQ" data-vars-click-url="https://badbradsbbq.com/" data-vars-content-id="4f11d10c-2066-4465-886d-5f91b977c87c" data-vars-headline="Bad Brad&#x27;s BBQ buildout takes shape in Ferndale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://badbradsbbq.com/" target="_blank">Bad Brad&#x27;s BBQ</a> plans to open its sixth location there, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per Crain&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.crainsdetroit.com/restaurants/cdb-bad-brads-bbq-ferndale-20260508/" data-vars-content-id="4f11d10c-2066-4465-886d-5f91b977c87c" data-vars-headline="Bad Brad&#x27;s BBQ buildout takes shape in Ferndale" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.crainsdetroit.com/restaurants/cdb-bad-brads-bbq-ferndale-20260508/" target="_blank">per Crain&#x27;s</a>.

Spirit Halloween haunts former stores in Metro Detroit

More than 15 seasonal shops are haunting vacant storefronts across the region.

Spirit Halloween is haunting the shells of former big-box stores again this fall with more than 15 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="locations" data-vars-click-url="https://stores.spirithalloween.com/" data-vars-content-id="b32cbec9-5c41-496c-ae94-ca35242c716d" data-vars-headline="Spirit Halloween haunts former stores in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://stores.spirithalloween.com/" target="_blank">locations</a> open in Metro Detroit — and 1,500 nationwide.The big picture: The stores appear and vanish each fall, so finding this year&#x27;s Spirit often means relaying directions with neighbors in retail shorthand: &quot;Where the old Party City used to be.&quot;

How Detroit's tax break background checks work

Owners and key executives can face background reviews covering the past five years.

Owning 5% or more of a company seeking tax breaks for development in Detroit could now put someone&#x27;s history under a microscope.The big picture: Detroit started a new policy Sept. 14 to review tax break applicants&#x27; backgrounds for business integrity issues.

Detroit adds background checks for tax breaks

New checks will examine key people behind projects seeking city incentives.

Detroit is taking a closer look at who&#x27;s behind development projects before approving tax breaks, Axios has learned. <ul><li>Council member Angela Whitfield Calloway plans to introduce a resolution Tuesday or next week. </li></ul>Why it matters: Tax breaks mean cities collect less money to encourage development, so it&#x27;s crucial how they decide who gets them.

Vacant Birmingham gas station site gets $8M makeover

A long-vacant property will become InvestWise Financial's new headquarters.

A long-vacant former gas station site at Woodward and Quarton in Birmingham is getting an $8 million makeover to become a local company&#x27;s headquarters.Why it matters: The highly visible property near Birmingham&#x27;s border with Bloomfield Hills has sat undeveloped for decades, in part because of the cost and complexity of cleaning up the site.

Michelin picks Detroit for awards ceremony

The region's first Michelin restaurant awards will be revealed at Michigan Central.

The famed, restaurant-ranking Michelin guide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="chose Detroit" data-vars-click-url="https://michelinmedia.com/pages/blog/detail/article/c0/a1484/" data-vars-content-id="ddd2e687-438a-4d71-9656-165dd69b9a1f" data-vars-headline="Michelin picks Detroit for awards ceremony" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://michelinmedia.com/pages/blog/detail/article/c0/a1484/" target="_blank">chose Detroit</a> to host its first Great Lakes region ceremony.Why it matters: Restaurants included in the first-ever Great Lakes regional guide will be revealed at the ceremony.

Rocket extends Lions deal for five years

The new five-year deal adds fan content and a charitable tie-in.

Rocket is extending its longtime sponsorship of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/15/lions-slate-revealed" data-vars-content-id="bb963aa5-b2bc-49ea-9d02-1d3633dc15cb" data-vars-headline="Rocket extends Lions deal for five years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/05/15/lions-slate-revealed" target="_self">Lions</a> for another five years, with a bigger focus on engaging fans beyond traditional sports advertising.Why it matters: As the Lions&#x27; fortunes have risen, so has competition among companies seeking to associate themselves with one of Detroit&#x27;s most prominent brands.

Business 🏦

Why I'm keeping my 16-year-old Honda Accord

How Cleveland helped launch the automobile age

Fifth Third invests $20M in northeast Detroit neighborhoods

Dutch Girl Donuts opens second location

Bad Brad's BBQ buildout takes shape in Ferndale