Proposed rail service sale worries BC, other cities
Mayors and managers from cities stretching between Portage and Ann Arbor plan to meet Tuesday morning in Battle Creek to discuss the future of passenger rail service in Michigan.
Some are concerned that Amtrak service connecting Chicago and Detroit and servicing Battle Creek may end if the current Class One line owner Atlanta, Ga.-based Norfolk Southern Corp. passes ownership and maintenance responsibilities to the smaller Pittsburg, Kan.-based Watco Cos. Inc., a Class Three railroad.
Critics argue that the short-line Watco does not have the money or equipment to ensure safe passenger rail travel between Kalamazoo and Ypsilanti. Plans to increase rail speed to 90 mph or more between Detroit and Chicago, creating a high-speed corridor through Michigan, could be set back or stopped altogether.
[via Battle Creek Enquirer]
DPS to offer students chance to graduate with associate’s degree in health fields
A free health-care related program that starts this year will give Detroit students the chance to graduate high school with an associates degree and be ready to work in about a dozen occupations such as dentistry and nursing.
The Detroit Allied Health Middle College High School set to be formally announced Wednesday is a partnership between Detroit Public Schools, Wayne County Community College District and the Detroit Medical Center that aims to serve 150 sophomores this year, said Mike McElrath, a spokesman for the program.
Expect some level of jealousy from suburban school districts for Detroit taking advantage of its size to specialize some of its schools in ways small cities can’t.
[via Detroit Free Press]
Lodge to reopen within two weeks
The Michigan Department of Transportation is on the verge of reopening the Lodge Freeway, between the Southfield and Davison freeways, which has been closed since April for repairs and reconstruction.
“We’ve been making every effort to have the freeway reopened by August 31st,” said MDOT spokesman Rob Morosi.
$140 million is a lot of money.
[via DetNews.com]
Car zapper creating a buzz here
An Ann Arbor-based research and development company, Cybernet Systems, is working on a device that police could use to beam a signal from their patrol car to the one they are chasing, which would disable its computer system and stop the car.
And Jackson may play a large role in its testing and production.
[via MLive.com]
Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina Announce Culinary Teams for …
Chefs Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina each have announced the culinary teams for their restaurants inside MGM Grand Detroit, slated to open October 2, 2007. Executive Chef Marc Djozlija will lead the kitchen at WOLFGANG PUCK GRILLE and also will oversee the celebrity chef’s 24-hour in-room dining program. Executive Chef Don Yamauchi will make his widely anticipated debut within Mina’s BOURBON STEAK and SALTWATER restaurants.
“With the addition of these remarkable culinary talents to MGM Grand Detroit, we are laying a foundation for what is sure to be the most celebrated cuisine in the region,” said Rich Schneider, Vice President of Food and Beverage at MGM Grand Detroit.
WOLFGANG PUCK GRILLE will present a contemporary twist on the traditional “bar and grill” concept and also will be Puck’s first venue offering 24-hour dining (Friday and Saturday only).
If anything there will be a new place to go and eat after leaving the bars and clubs downtown that isn’t a Coney Island or Greek diner.
[via CNNMoney.com]
Company has its eyes on the ePrize
Josh Linkner, ePrize founder and CEO, also said Monday that ePrize has hired 71 more creative professionals to produce promotional campaigns in its metro Detroit headquarters and its other locations in Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, New York and London.
More than 60 of the new employees are based in Pleasant Ridge and the company is planning to hire approximately 50 additional employees by the end of 2007, Linkner said.
[via Oakland Press]
Return of racing brings needed park fixes
Drive around Belle Isle this week, and two things are distinct: Preparations for the return of Grand Prix racing are almost complete, and the island is clean and manicured.
That’s in stark contrast to what’s been happening at the city park the last few years, and it’s a welcome change. Tens of thousands of people will descend upon Belle Isle over Labor Day weekend for three days of racing.
[via DetNews.com]
Detroit’s singing north end
Detroit’s north end is one of the most fertile neighborhoods in the city for musical talent, producing numerous R&B and Motown singers.
What exactly defines the north end? It’s not an official geographic entity, but we like to think of it as north of Grand Boulevard , east of Woodward Avenue, south of Six Mile and west of Dequindre Street (that may cause some squawks, but we have to get Levi Stubbs and Little Willie John in).
[via DetNews.com]
Race fans prohibited from parking on island
DETROIT — If you’re attending the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix events this weekend and plan to park on the island, race organizers have news for you: Don’t even think about it.
“For the race fan who wants to come out here, there is no race parking on the island,” said Bud Denker, chairman of the Belle Isle Grand Prix.
[via DetNews.com]
New Marathon refinery to bring 900 jobs to Southwest Detroit
Marathon plans a $10 billion expansion of its Southwest Detroit refinery that would add 900 positions to the facility.
There is a public meeting set for tonight from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Andrew & Benedict Church, 2450 S. Beatrice St.
[via Model D]
