Detroit's demolition program is still dealing with fallout from an explosive investigation that ended with three companies banished from the program.

Catch up quick: The city's Office of the Inspector General's investigation uncovered how a prominent asbestos removal company in the demolition program skirted environmental rules by setting up shell companies with concealed ownership.

• The program has a spotty record of following environmental regulations put in place to ensure demolition sites don't endanger residents' health.

Why it matters: More asbestos companies in the program are now under scrutiny for possible ties to the business banished by the inspector general.

• The city is expecting a brief slowdown in demolitions as companies find new asbestos removal subcontractors.

Driving the news: In a contractor's meeting last week, demolition director LaJuan Counts advised contractors in the program to avoid using Detroit Environmental Solutions and City Abatement Services because they may be affiliated with companies or individuals the inspector general debarred.

• Counts didn't describe the potential affiliation.

The other side: "Everything they said about my company is 100% false," David Gillespie, owner of Detroit Environmental Services, tells Axios.

• City Abatement Services could not be reached.

The intrigue: The two companies can contact the city inspector general "to prove that case otherwise," Counts said at the contractors' meeting.

• The inspector general's office declined to comment.

Between the lines: The pool of demolition companies available to tear down vacant buildings keeps shrinking because companies have been suspended, expelled or simply left the program after dealing with too many headaches.

• Fewer companies means costs could rise and the pace of demolitions could slow.

The big picture: Detroit claims its demolition program is the nation's largest, having removed more than 22,000 buildings since Mayor Mike Duggan took office in 2014.

• The program spent more than $250 million in federal dollars and now relies on proceeds from a $250 million bond issue voters approved in 2020.

Detroit's pro soccer club is laying ground downtown with a new shop.

What's happening: T-shirts, polos, hoodies, scarves are for sale while framed photos capturing the team's historic moments line the walls.

• Detroit FC experienced remarkable growth in its 10th season after joining the USL Championship this year.

What they're saying: "We've already got quite a bit of foot traffic, that's exciting because this is permanent," Kevin Brehmer, FC's director of merchandise, tells Axios. "We signed a multiyear lease and are sharing this space with our screen printing partner Underground Printing."

If you go: 1216 Griswold St. Hours are fluid.

The state shut down two youth residential treatment centers over allegations of staff abusing patients. (Free Press)

🏘️ The city announced a $203 million affordable housing plan with a hotline, rental unit repair money and subsidized home renovations. (Michigan Radio)

📽️ Quote du jour

​​"I didn't work under him directly, but when I did see Jordan Peele on set he was very calm and he knew what he wanted. I would watch him direct the actors, and he was there to get it done. He was a nice guy, but he was focused, you know?"

—Detroit native Robert McTyre Jr., talking about working on the set of Peele's latest movie, "Nope," in a Metro Times story telling how he got there more than a decade after moving to LA.

Little Liberia won $100,000 in the Hatch Detroit entrepreneur contest to help finance a location for its Afro-fusion restaurant.

What happened: Owner Ameneh Marhaba was chosen out of a group of five finalists through a combination of public votes and a "Shark Tank" style pitch event last Thursday.

• Little Liberia, the competition's 10th victor, also gets free counseling and business support from Hatch.

🤿 Dive into a new role with our Job Board.

1. Client Strategy Manager - Health Services at PWC.
2. Client Partner at CarGurus.
3. Paid Social Media Specialist at Pet Supplies Plus.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

👋 Hey, it's Sam. I used the D2A2 bus for the first time Friday to spend the afternoon at the Ann Arbor Art Fair.

• Tickets to and from Detroit and Ann Arbor are $6 each, there's free Wi-Fi and plenty of space for bikes in the luggage space.

How it works: A bus heads to Ann Arbor every hour between 5:45am and midnight at Grand Circus Park between W. Adams Avenue and Bagley Street, and then back to Detroit from 6am to 9pm.

• The ride was quick and quiet. Less than a dozen people boarded the 12:15pm bus to Ann Arbor, which dropped us off about 45 minutes later at 5th Avenue and William Street across from the Ann Arbor Public Library.
• There were even fewer people on the 6:30pm back to Detroit.

Why it matters: The route is much needed in light of Southeast Michigan's nonexistent regional transit system.

• Parking in downtown Ann Arbor during the annual art festival is also a pain.
• And I wanted to bring my bike, which doesn't fit inside my Honda Civic.

Between the lines: Bus stops are also important community water coolers, where small talk can easily become lively conversations that spawn new friendships.

• Hope you're reading this, Clarence.