Axios Detroit

September 08, 2023
π Friday's here already! That was fast.
βοΈ Today's weather: Mostly cloudy and cooler. High near 70Β°.
π¦ Situational awareness: The Lions have the best record in all of football after their 21-20 opening night victory against Kansas City, the defending champions. (ESPN)
Today's newsletter is 894 words β a 3.5-minute read. Edited by Everett Cook and copy edited by Cindy Orosco-Wright.
1 big thing: Gilbert's big move on health care
Looking east down West Grand Boulevard at Henry Ford Health's planned medical facility and patient tower. Rendering: Courtesy of Henry Ford Health
Dan Gilbert's next move in Detroit is intended to leave a long legacy of improving rehabilitative care.
Why it matters: The Rocket Companies founder and his wife, Jennifer, announced Wednesday they're giving $374 million for a physical rehab hospital and neurofibromatosis (NF) research. Compared with their last giant funding announcement, it's a laser-focused, personal investment from the family.
- The Gilberts' $500 million for Detroit neighborhoods, launched in 2021, is a broader bucket with piecemeal programs for lightning-rod resident issues like property tax relief and eviction defense.
What's happening: The Gilberts are now financing two additions to Henry Ford Health's $2.5 billion expansion plans around New Center alongside MSU:
- $119 million for a 72-bed facility for severe conditions like strokes in Henry Ford's new patient tower, slated to open in 2029. The space will be managed by Chicago rehab provider Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where Gilbert went to recover from his 2019 stroke.
- $50 million for the Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute, opening in 2027. Dedicated to their son Nick, it's expected to be the first brick-and-mortar facility solely focused on NF research using "novel" technology. He died this May at age 26 due to complications from NF, which causes tumors to grow on nerve pathways. The Gilberts are also granting $190 million for operations and research.

Plus, the Gilbert Family Foundation plans a $10 million fund to help low-income Detroiters with little to no medical insurance access care at AbilityLab once it opens.
What he's saying: Gilbert, who delivered remarks for the downtown Book Tower's ribbon-cutting in June but rarely speaks publicly since having the debilitating stroke, stood up from a wheelchair to speak at a Book Tower podium with Jennifer on Wednesday.
- "We're here today because we believe that Detroit deserves the very best," he said. "We've spent our adult lives trying to create the best companies to attract the most talented minds, building and rehabbing the finest buildings β¦ and also developing the best programs to impact the lives of Detroiters."

2. FOIA Friday: Private business ties raise calls for ethics reforms
Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
Michigan Republicans are calling on House Democrats to move on legislation to bring financial disclosure requirements to lawmakers following an investigation by the Detroit News.
Driving the news: Rep. Angela Witwer of Delta Township, a moderate Democrat, as a lawmaker has maintained a close relationship with the consulting firm she founded, the News found.
- The firm, Edge Partnerships, has worked with trade associations and state departments like the Michigan Department of Education, whose funding is set by lawmakers β including Witwer in her influential role as House Appropriations Committee chair.
Why it matters: Lawmakers say the revelation about one of Michigan's most powerful lawmakers is the latest example of the state's desperate need for transparency reform and financial disclosure requirements, which exist in 48 other states.
State of play: Public documents filed by Edge show that as recently as 2022, Witwer was still a member of the business while serving as a legislator, although she told the News she is no longer an owner.
- She invited the company's CEO to be her guest on the House floor for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's State of the State address in January, as well as the chairman of the Michigan Film Industry Association, which has also worked with Edge.
What's next: A voter-approved constitutional amendment requiring lawmakers to disclose conflicts is due to be in effect by the end of the year.
- "We've got four months left; are we just going to shove something down everyone's throat that doesn't have the requirements needed for it to be effective?" state Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford) tells Axios.
3. Things to do
Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
The weekend is already here after a holiday-shortened workweek.
- Don't forget β Month of Design events are happening all throughout September!
- Here are four other things to do:
π» Symphony pop-up: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra plays a free pop-up concert today at noon at Campus Martius' beach to preview its upcoming season.
- The first 100 attendees get a voucher to attend select DSO performances.
π Old Car Festival: Hundreds of vehicles from the turn of the 20th century are on display at Dearborn's Greenfield Village tomorrow from 9:30am-9pm and Sunday from 9:30am-5pm.
- Tickets: General admission, $33; members get in free.
π€£ Dave Chappelle Live: The controversial comedian brings his fall tour to Little Caesars Arena tomorrow at 7:30pm.
- Resale tickets start at about $100.
π§ Electronic music party: Detroit techno pioneer Juan Atkins performs at Core City Park tonight from 5-10pm.
- Free!
4. Axios Detroit's newest member
Rufus and his little natural mohawk. Photos: Everett Cook/Axios
π Hey, Everett here with an antidote to the story we wrote last week about the Detroit Animal Care and Control's shelter being overrun with pets.
- Meet Rufus.
Why it matters: My fiancΓ©e, Claire, and I adopted him about six weeks ago after visiting the DACC on a whim.
- Rufus is about two years old and had a bad case of pneumonia when we met him.
- I don't know if he would've been one of the more than 31% of animals the shelter is projected to euthanize this year, but sick dogs are not generally the ones making it out of overcrowded shelters.
The bottom line: Now healthy and rambunctious after vet visits, antibiotics and lots of love, Rufus is fully part of our family. He's helping me become a more patient person β no small feat β and learning how to control his energy. 10/10, no regrets.
- Find an adoptable DACC pet here.

Our picks:
π£οΈ Joe spent much of the Lions game yelling "hold!" and "false start!" when the Chiefs had the ball. Justice prevailed in the end.
π Annalise has been meaning to try Jamaica Mi Hungry for forever and is finally doing it today.
π Sam isn't ready for the days to get shorter.
πΈ Everett's song of the weekend is Bruce's "I Wanna Be With You."
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