Axios Detroit
May 05, 2026
1 big thing: Questions remain on transit hub cost
The final cost of Michigan Central's proposed transit hub won't be clear until at least 2027, once the project completes its design phase.
Why it matters: The long-planned transit hub in Corktown is a key step toward modernizing Detroit's transit system and connecting the region to national and international rail networks.
- Yes, but: While the project is advancing under new leadership, the details that will determine its scope, cost and timeline remain unresolved.
Driving the news: State officials said Thursday the project is moving into preliminary engineering, environmental review and design, with a request for proposals expected this summer to select a design consultant.
Catch up quick: MDOT, the city and Michigan Central announced in October a plan to build a new multimodal transit facility at Michigan Central — the 30-acre Ford-backed development anchored by the historic train depot.
- We recently reported the Detroit Transportation Corporation, which operates the People Mover, is now leading the project.
State of play: The proposed hub would bring together rail and intercity bus service near Michigan Central, creating a central transit gateway for the region through improved connections with Chicago, Toronto and U-M.
The intrigue: While $40 million for the project has been secured, public records obtained by Axios show earlier iterations of the project costing more than $200 million.
- And earlier planning documents prepared as part of the project's environmental review outline a potential completion timeline extending to 2030.
The bottom line: MDOT spokesman Michael Frezell tells Axios that no timelines have been set beyond the project's design phase, though it remains a department priority.
2. 😰 Anxiety at the pump
We're picking our jaws up off the floor after Metro Detroit's gas prices jumped last week.
Why it matters: Higher prices are squeezing household budgets — and can carry political consequences.
- While the war in Iran is the main culprit for rising prices, a recent outage at the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana, is also to blame.
The latest: The average regular unleaded gas price in Metro Detroit was $4.82 as of noon yesterday, up nearly 66 cents from last week's average of $4.17, per GasBuddy data.
- We're above the national average — $4.44 as of yesterday.
By the numbers: We're up more than $1.50 from last year's average of $3.14, but prices may be leveling off, remaining steady from the past few days.
- GasBuddy's highest recorded average for our region was north of $5 in June 2022.
State of play: Pump prices are poised to play an outsized role in November, especially if the stalemate over the Strait of Hormuz persists, Axios' Ben Geman writes.
- Democrats and allied groups are seeking to make Iran war-driven price increases a major campaign theme. President Trump met with oil executives last week to discuss the war's energy fallout.
Context: Patrick De Haan, GasBuddy's head of petroleum analysis, said on social media yesterday that Michigan was the state with the third highest weekly spike in average gas prices.
- "Early signs of improvement could help ease some of the most extreme price pressures in the Great Lakes in the days ahead," De Haan said in a statement.
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3. The Grapevine: You heard it here
4. First Sip: Iraqi-owned cafe delivers on natural light
👋 Annalise here with a new favored spot for tea, writing and natural light in Midtown.
The vibe: Chai Khana opened this winter in a long-vacant, window-lined storefront, bringing with it pleasant decor, murals and ample seating.
- Staff are helpful and the drink menu is packed, alongside a limited food menu with pastries and sandwiches.
Dig in: I ordered Karak chai ($5) — a strong spiced tea popular in the UAE and other Gulf countries — and the well-flavored meat lover's sandwich ($10) with beef salami, beef bacon, cheese, veggies and house sauce.
- But it was a tough choice, with other beverage contenders like traditional Iraqi chai, Arabic coffee (Qahwah), flavored lattes, matcha and fruit refreshers.
Workability: Lots of space, enough outlets, long hours and a relaxed vibe.
- My only notes would be that the gorgeously ample sunlight can become distracting in the eyes or glaring on a laptop screen in the evening, and that the chairs are a 7/10 on comfort.
- I'm picky about chairs.
If you go: 7:30am-10pm Monday-Friday and 9:30am-10pm Saturday and Sunday.
Axios Detroit
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