The University of Michigan's prominent graduate school and research center, which broke ground over two years ago, is still on track to open next year.

Why it matters: When it opens in fall 2027, the University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI) aims to offer new, multidisciplinary education unique to the Detroit campus.

• A central goal is to prepare students for the kinds of jobs that'll propel Michigan's economy into the future.

State of play: Construction continues on a six-floor building at 2121 Cass Ave. that will house graduate degree programs and research focused on tech and innovation.

• It will offer urban technology degrees focused on creating smart cities, careers in climate and clean energy, as well as degrees in advanced manufacturing and applied AI. Also expect tech-focused MBAs, Lutalo Sanifu, director of community engagement for UMCI, tells Axios.

Between the lines: UMCI will also host programs for non-students, like training in project management, drone piloting or coding.

• It's already started doing this with the city through Saturdays in the D, which feature free courses and workshops.
• It'll also provide youth programs, as well as assist small businesses through a new dedicated space for the Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project.

Catch up quick: UMCI broke ground in December 2023 with a slate of prominent leaders forecasting its positive impact on the local economy. It feeds into the ideas that Michigan must evolve its workforce, attract new talent to grow its population and draw in sustainable businesses.

• The $250 million project is using $100 million in state funding and $100 million from billionaire developer Stephen Ross' foundation.
• A groundbreaking is also anticipated for a nearby residential tower to house some of the UMCI students, according to the Free Press.

What they're saying: Asked what UMCI's biggest value-add will be, Sanifu says that in his father's time, you'd get a job and stay there for decades before retiring.

• But now, continued education is the norm as technology rapidly evolves.
• "There's this constant learning that has to take place. How do we make sure people are prepared for what the jobs and careers of the future are?" Sanifu says. "We make sure there's a way for them to get continued education. And UMCI is that space."

🏗️ 1 fun thing: Watch construction progress live through a solar-powered camera.

The natural world's beauty can be found anywhere, even in the front yard of a suburban Detroit photographer.

Why it matters: Joseph Ferraro, of Ferndale, is among 24 finalists for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award.

• Voting closes at 10am Wednesday.

What they did: Ferraro's photo, "Ready to Pounce," captures a 4-millimeter ambush bug nymph perched motionless on a flower.

• It was selected out of 60,636 entries from 113 countries and territories.

What they're saying: Ambush bugs are part of the assassin bug family, and they're common in the area, Ferraro told Metromode.

• His Ferndale yard, where "Ready to Pounce" was taken, is an ideal environment for his macro photography, which captures a subject's actual size.
• "They are amazing little creatures," Ferraro told Metromode. "They reach out, grab the prey, venom it, and instantly paralyze and then drink their prey. That's how they feed."

Zoom out: Other contestants include a lynx throwing a rodent in the air and an otter feeding on a catfish.

What's next: Winners will be announced March 25.

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🌿 Cannabis tax payouts to cities are decreasing as statewide sales decline, squeezing local budgets that had come to rely on the revenue. (Metro Times)

💰 Detroit is paying down long-term debt, but rising pension costs are becoming a bigger budget pressure for the city. (BridgeDetroit)

A Huntington Woods public works supervisor died Friday after he was struck by a falling limb during emergency cleanup after severe winds swept through the area. (Deadline Detroit)

While more homes across the U.S. are listing with homeowners association fees, Metro Detroit is bucking that trend, Realtor.com data shows.

Why it matters: HOA fees add to the already high cost of homeownership, while affordability has remained the top issue straining the housing market.

• Residents pay HOA dues to cover maintenance and amenities like pools and gyms — and the associations often come with strict rules around decor and lawn care.

By the numbers: In the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn region, 30.8% of homes listed for sale on Realtor.com last year had HOA dues, down from 31.2% in 2024 and 34.5% in 2019.

• That's at odds with the U.S. trend upwards from 34% in 2019 to 44% in 2025.

Yes, but: Costs are still going up. The median monthly HOA fee in Metro Detroit rose to $200 in 2025 from $160 in 2024 and $67 in 2019.

The bottom line: "The condo's traditional affordability advantage over single-family homes is eroding — and in many markets, it has reversed entirely," housing economist Aziz Sunderji writes in his newsletter, Home Economics.

🎉 1 big thing: For five years, Axios has delivered smart, trustworthy local news to communities like yours — and we're just getting started.

Why it matters: Memberships sustain the journalism you rely on and help us keep delivering strong, independent reporting focused on what matters most.

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U-M and Michigan State both play Thursday in the men's basketball NCAA Tournament.

Why it matters: The Wolverines earned a coveted No. 1 seed in the Midwest region while the Spartans were seeded No. 3 in the East.

What's next: U-M will play the winner of Tuesday's First Four game between 16 seeds Howard and UMBC.

• Michigan State's opponent is No. 14 North Dakota State.

State of play: The women's teams for both schools made the NCAA Tournament and will play on Friday:

• No. 2 Michigan plays No. 15 Holy Cross.
• No. 5 Michigan State plays No. 12 Colorado State.