Detroit’s Bright Future: Duggan Champions Urban Renewal and Unity
USIG Staff - March 2025
Outgoing Mayor Mike Duggan proclaimed that Detroit’s most promising era is still ahead during his final State of the City address on Tuesday night. Speaking at the nearly completed Hudson’s Detroit building on Woodward Avenue in downtown, Duggan’s one-hour speech was more a celebration of past achievements and a hopeful look to the future than an announcement of new policies. As he prepares to leave office later this year and launch an independent statewide campaign for Michigan governor, Duggan highlighted his record on job creation, economic growth, and urban renewal—from demolishing thousands of… Detroit’s Bright Future: Duggan Champions Urban Renewal and Unity
Detroit Home Values Surge
USIG Staff - March 2025
Detroit’s homeowners continue to reap the benefits of rising property values, with new data confirming substantial wealth gains across the city. A report from the University of Michigan’s Poverty Solutions, released Friday, highlights that property values surged by approximately $700 million between 2022 and 2023, pushing the total wealth increase from home appreciation over the last decade to an impressive $4.6 billion.
This latest analysis builds upon prior findings that showed an 80% rise in home values between 2014 and 2022. In 2014, the collective value of owner-occupied homes in Detroit… Detroit Home Values Surge
Brand New Affordable Housing in Corktown
USIG Staff - March 2025
A new chapter has begun in Corktown with the unveiling of Left Field—a mixed-income apartment building located on Cochrane Street near Michigan Avenue, right on the grounds once occupied by Tiger Stadium. Out of the building’s 60 apartments, 48 are dedicated to affordable housing. These units are reserved for households earning up to 80% of the local median income, with 29 of them further supported by rental assistance that caps rent at 30% of a tenant’s income.
City officials celebrated the opening on Wednesday, marking a significant step in addressing Corktown’s long-standing housing… Brand New Affordable Housing in Corktown
Apple Commits Major Investment in Detroit
USIG Staff - March 2025
Apple has committed over $5 billion to a broad U.S. investment initiative over the next four years, with a significant focus on Detroit, Michigan. Central to this investment is the establishment of an Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, designed to facilitate collaboration between Apple's engineers, Michigan university researchers, and local businesses on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. The academy will also offer free educational opportunities, such as courses in project management, both in-person and online.
This initiative is part of Apple’s broader expansion… Apple Commits Major Investment in Detroit
The Booming Detroit Housing Market: Drivers, Trends, and Impacts
USIG Staff - November 2024
Detroit's housing market has experienced remarkable growth, marking its evolution from a struggling real estate sector to one of the most vibrant in the United States. Recent data shows that Metro Detroit has surpassed Miami as the fastest-growing housing market in terms of home appreciation, with prices rising by 5.2% year-over-year in late 2023. This trend reflects both increased demand for housing and strategic urban revitalization efforts in the city.
Key Drivers of GrowthEconomic Recovery and Urban InvestmentsDetroit's economy has been bolstered by significant investments in… The Booming Detroit Housing Market: Drivers, Trends, and Impacts
Detroit's Population Increases for the First Time in 57 years
USIG Staff - November 2024
Detroit has experienced its first year of population growth in nearly six decades, marking a significant turnaround for a city that has faced persistent challenges since the mid-20th century. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's latest estimates, Detroit's population rose from 631,366 in 2022 to 633,218 in 2023, a modest but symbolically crucial increase. This development reflects years of efforts to revitalize the city and combat the legacy of population decline that began with economic shifts, suburban migration, and urban blight in the 1950s and 1960s.
Key Factors Behind the Growth… Detroit's Population Increases for the First Time in 57 years
GM World Headquarters to be redeveloped along Detroit Riverfront
USIG Staff - November 2024
The proposed redevelopment of Detroit’s Renaissance Center (RenCen) involves a $1.6 billion overhaul that includes demolishing two 39-story towers near the Detroit River while preserving and repurposing three others, including the 73-story Marriott Hotel, Michigan’s tallest building. This plan, spearheaded by General Motors (GM) and Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock real estate firm, aims to modernize the site by reducing underutilized office space and enhancing public access to the riverfront. The redesign includes creating new public promenades and integrating housing into the complex.
The initiative… GM World Headquarters to be redeveloped along Detroit Riverfront
Michigan Central Station Reopens After $950M Renovation
USIG Staff - June 2024
Detroit's iconic Michigan Central Station has reopened its doors following a remarkable six-year, $950 million transformation led by Ford Motor Company. The 18-story building, once in disrepair, now stands as a powerful symbol of renewal and hope for the city.
To mark its grand reopening, the station hosted a star-studded concert on Thursday titled “Live From Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central,” featuring performances by music legends Diana Ross, Jack White, and Eminem. The electrifying event drew 20,000 attendees and was also streamed live for residents to enjoy from watch parties… Michigan Central Station Reopens After $950M Renovation