Strong Towns Detroit

05/29/2026

Detroit is seeking pre-approved designs for new housing; it’s an idea with a century-long record of success

In 1908, regular recipients of the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue were offered another publication in the mail: the Book of Modern Homes and Building Plans. Within its pages were 44 home designs that customers could purchase for as little as $360 - roughly $15,000 today when adjusted for inflation. The homes were shipped by railroad boxcar almost anywhere in the United States or Canada in crates containing nearly everything needed for construction, from lumber and nails to wallpaper and fixtures....

In 1908, regular recipients of the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue were offered another publication in the mail: the Book of Modern Homes and Building Plans. Within its pages were 44 home design…

05/22/2026

Our lives don’t end at city or township
boundaries, and our transit shouldn’t either.

On August 4th, 2026, Wayne County residents
will vote on a ballot proposal that will continue funding public transportation in Wayne County.

The 0.98 cents per $1,000 of taxable value will fund continued operating, maintaining, improving, and
expanding transit services; creating and expanding new fixed routes for bus service connecting local communities; expanding transportation services
for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and the general public to access healthcare, education, and other daily needs.

for the ballot language:https://www.waynecountymi.gov/files/assets/mainsite/v/1/clerk/documents/elections/august_4_2026_proposals.pdf

for the report from our friends from Transportation Riders United: https://www.connectwaynecounty.org/

photo credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SMART_2020_New_Flyer_XD60_4010.jpg

05/18/2026

The I-75 Cap Project team is looking for community feedback through a short online survey. Help shape the future of the project by sharing your thoughts and ideas.
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8818266/DDP-I-75-May-2026-Public-Engagement

05/18/2026

mingle at Meantime happy hour this Thursday from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. ☺️ pull up and have a chill time. non-alcoholic beverages will be available.

05/18/2026

The thunderstorm didn't keep us down this past Saturday. We had a great Motor City Makeover in multiple neighborhoods in District 5!

05/15/2026

Do you not have plans this month? Well, now you do! 😉 Join us at the District 5 Motor City Makeover tomorrow, Saturday, May 16. The meet-up spot is the Butzel Family Recreation Center.

Join us for a Mingle at Meantime on Cass Ave. on Thursday, May 21. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available.

The last event for this month is the District 6 Motor City Makeover on Saturday, May 30. Strong Towns Detroit members and friends will be volunteering to clean-up the North Corktown neighborhood.

05/14/2026

05/14/2026

The way in which Detroit's own bureaucracy has got in the way of a city backed request for proposal for a 100% affordable housing project on city owned land is absurd.

How can the Board of Zoning Appeals ignore its own procedures and take up a complaint from someone who does not live within the statutory zone of the project?

We cannot continue to complain about people leaving Detroit for better and more affordable housing stock elsewhere, when we then get in the way of development projects designed and planned for Detroiters.

This proposed affordable housing project was thoughtfully planned and involved residents' input from the surrounding area of the Butzel Family Recreation Center.

There were multiple funding mechanisms to make sure this new housing project would have stayed financially viable to offer affordable housing for Detroiters. These options to finance housing projects do not come without restrictions. You cannot simply pick any land and get money for the development project.

Take notice when people complain about a lack of affordable and new construction housing and then attempt to prevent our own neighbors from having the freedom of choice and secure shelter within our beautiful city.

https://pub-detroitmi.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=262325

05/12/2026

We're rolling out a give away this month with all members who attend one of our events, eligible to win Strong Towns Detroit apparel!

Members can enter the raffle by simply attending our events. District 5 Motor City Makeover on Saturday 5/16; our social mingle at Meantime on Cass Ave. on Thursday 5/21; or District 6 Motor City Makeover on Saturday 5/30.

See you around Detroit!

05/09/2026

Strong Towns Detroit x The Greening of Detroit

05/09/2026

The weather was beautiful today! Enjoy our view from the Detroit People Mover this evening.