Downtown Detroit

Ren Cen Marriott opens new lobby bar, hopes to lure Detroiters

Preservationists get boost of confidence with new legislation

Preservationists are jumping for joy for of the recent passage of state legislation that will start promoting historic property development in the state of Michigan.Excerpt:Historic preservation advocates on Friday hailed the passage of state legislation that they said would promote historic property development in Michigan.In a news release, the Michigan Historic Preservation Network said Senate Bill 973, sponsored by Cameron Brown, R-Fawn River Township, and House Bill 6496, sponsored by Steve Tobocman, D-Detroit, will expand the potential of historic restoration throughout Michigan.Read the entire article here.

Eat Well and Cheap: New, Affordable, Yummy Dining in Detroit

It was a big year for Detroit's dining scene. We love celeb chefs and fine dining, but we also love restaurants that are both interesting to the palate and kind to our budgets. Lucky for us, the '08 had a lot to offer in that department, too. Here are some faves.

Wayne County adds $1M to East Riverfront pot

Model D 2008 Photos in Review

2008 was a big year for Detroit. Photographer Marvin Shaouni offers a retrospective of his masthead images from the year.  We've got the big stories (Transit. Film. The DIA. Tiger Stadium. The Book Cadillac.) as well as the smaller stories, (D'Mongo's. A creperie.). All made this a good year to be in the D.Also note: We're taking a break for two weeks for our annual holiday season ciesta. Model D will return Jan. 6.

The Detroit News finds 50 fun things to do under $50

Explore Hamtramck and Mexicantown, grab a play at Planet Ant, go for a drink at Enoteca, check out the DIA, the Detroit Historical Museum, and D'Mongo's Speakeasy. These are just a few of the things that The Detroit News came up with to do under 50 bucks.Excerpt:Having a good time doesn't mean you have to break your piggy bank. There are various inexpensive ways for families, couples and singles to find fun. Take some of the guesswork out of finding a good time on a budget with our list of 50 value-conscious activities that will take you from the museum to a hipster hotspot -- all for less than $50.See the entire list here.

Fort Shelby Doubletree Hotel and restaurants open in time for the new year

Model D TV: Digerati and Keeping Talent Here

Keeping young and talented kids in Michigan, and luring them to Detroit, is part of one U-M grad's mission. Detroit-based Digerati founder Brian Balasia talks with Model D TV.

NYTimes hangs out at Campus Martius, Coney Island, finds out how durable Detroiters are

The New York Times travels to Campus Martius and then visits Lafayette Coney Island, talking with Detroiters about life and the bailout along the way.Excerpt: A local sports radio station dedicated the entire day to “standing up” for the auto industry with messages of hope from people like Detroit’s new mayor, Kenneth V. Cockrel Jr., and other politicians.Stores, too, joined the campaign. John Hiller, the chief executive of Hiller’s Markets, a favorite of the area’s Asian residents, felt the need to blog about the importance of buying American. “These cars have a long, illustrious history, its own history,” he wrote, “for we come from a place of innovation.”Thoughts of persistence more than innovation seemed to be the focus of many people like Ronald Williams, 32, a student at Wayne County Community College who was waiting for a bus to take him home.“We’re all just going to have to keep on keeping on,” Mr. Williams said. “Around here, that’s all we know how to do.”Read the entire article here.