West Village, Small Businesses, and the Politics of Change
In episode 1976 of the podcast, we are breaking down the growing backlash in Detroit's West Village after District 5 City Councilmember Renata Miller requested administrative reviews into popular local spots along Kercheval, including Two Birds and Barkside dog run — as well as some that aren't open yet, like Grandma Bob's Detroit-style pizza or Bar IX, focused on women's athletics. Coming on the heels of a scuttled affordable housing project near the Butzel Rec Center, the inquiry has sparked intense debate over neighborhood density, small business support, and who gets to shape the future of Detroit's commercial corridors. Thank you for the many messages on this one, we moved it to the front because we can tell from listeners it struck a chord. A public council hearing with the Planning and Development Committee, for either in-person or virtual attendance, is on Thursday at 10am in the Committee of the Whole room at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, or online.