Detroit News this Past Week

A neighborhood advisory council endorsed the community benefits package for the $2.2 billion Renaissance Center plan 8-1, a recommendation now headed to City Council. A man died in gunfire with police after a west side standoff, Dakkota Integrated Systems plans to close its Detroit plant, and Mayor Mary Sheffield set a goal of 1,000 new homes by 2031.

By the Numbers

• 8-1 — advisory council vote on the RenCen community benefits package
• 397 — jobs ending at Dakkota's Detroit plant by March 31, 2027
• 1,000 — new homes by 2031 under Project 1000
• 2,305 — opening-day early votes, up from 1,897 in 2024

The Weather: Warm on Election Day, Then Rain and a Cooldown

Sunday, Nov. 1, is forecast overcast, with a high of 67° and a low of 44°. Monday, Nov. 2, brings light drizzle and a high of 60°. Tuesday, Nov. 3, Election Day, is the week's warmest day, overcast with a high of 73°. Wednesday, Nov. 4, has drizzle, a high of 67° and the week's highest chance of rain, 45%. Thursday, Nov. 5, is overcast with a high of 66°. Friday, Nov. 6, brings light rain and a high of 61°, and Saturday, Nov. 7, light rain and a high of 54°.

The News

Advisory council backs RenCen benefits package 8-1

The Neighborhood Advisory Council voted 8-1 on Oct. 27 to endorse the community benefits package for Bedrock's $2.2 billion redevelopment of the Renaissance Center and east riverfront, The Detroit News and Axios reported. The vote is a recommendation. It goes to Detroit City Council, which officials expect to take up the matter before the Thanksgiving recess, WDIV reported. The advisory council is expected to submit a letter of support Nov. 5, with a City Council committee discussion Nov. 12, Axios reported.

Bedrock CEO Jared Fleisher told WDIV before the vote that the proposal includes $45 million in community benefits, plus $15 million for affordable housing, $9 million for small businesses and $6 million for workforce development. WDIV describes the public money sought as nearly half a billion dollars; Axios puts the incentive request at nearly $548 million. Fleisher said Detroit would pay nothing and that the support would come largely from the state.

Source: The Detroit News / Axios, October 28, 2026; WDIV Local 4, October 27, 2026

Man dies in gunfire with police after west side standoff

A 50-year-old man died Oct. 27 in an exchange of gunfire with Detroit police behind a home in the 18400 block of Griggs Street, Police Chief Todd Bettison said. Police said it began with a 911 call at 9:57 a.m. about a man who allegedly released a dog on a manager and clerk. WDIV places that at a BP on East Warren Avenue; FOX 2 Detroit, at a grocery store. Police declared a barricaded gunman situation at 11:20 a.m. and breached the front door at 3:25 p.m.

Bettison said the man picked up an assault rifle and pointed it toward officers, prompting them to fire, and that the man also fired. Bettison said he reviewed video but could not determine who fired first because it had no audio, WDIV reported. FOX 2 Detroit, citing police sources, reported that officers fired at the man and he returned fire. Family members indicated the man may have been in a mental health crisis, he said. No officers were injured. Police have not released the man's name, and the investigation continues.

Source: WDIV Local 4 / FOX 2 Detroit, October 27, 2026

Dakkota to close Detroit plant, cutting 397 jobs

Dakkota Integrated Systems plans to close its Detroit plant, which makes instrument panels for the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango, after losing that Stellantis work, according to a state notice filed Oct. 19, PlasticsToday reported. One line shuts Dec. 31, ending 205 jobs, and the second March 31, 2027, ending 192.

Source: PlasticsToday

Sheffield announces Project 1000, a housing goal for 2031

Mayor Mary Sheffield said the city aims to add 1,000 homes by 2031, at 250 a year over the next four years, FOX 2 Detroit reported. She made the announcement on a parcel in the Northwest Goldberg neighborhood. The city plans zoning changes, reduced lot-size requirements, pre-approved home designs and bundles of vacant lots for single-family homes and duplexes.

Source: FOX 2 Detroit, October 28, 2026

Fire Department leader on unpaid leave after off-duty arrest

Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms said the department learned Oct. 30 that an off-duty member in a senior leadership position had been arrested after a crash in another jurisdiction. The member was placed on leave without pay pending the investigation. No injuries were reported. The department has not released the member's name or details of the arrest.

Source: WDIV Local 4, October 30, 2026

Homeowners exemption deadline is Nov. 6

Detroiters have until 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, to apply for the Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE), open to residents who live in a home they own and meet income requirements, Outlier Media reported. Eligible applicants can get 10% to all of a tax bill eliminated, depending on income, and participants can also get 2025 property taxes reduced. Past recipients must reapply each year. Applications are online or by mail. Questions go to 866-313-2520.

Source: Outlier Media, October 28, 2026

Stray bullet hits Osborn High window, prompting lockdown

A stray bullet hit a window at Osborn High School, at Seven Mile and Hoover, on Oct. 27. Police said it came from a situation in the neighborhood and did not appear aimed at the school. No one was hurt, the lockdown was lifted, and police said the suspects are in custody, FOX 2 Detroit reported.

Source: FOX 2 Detroit, October 27, 2026

Detroit sets opening-day early voting mark

City Clerk Janice M. Winfrey said 2,305 Detroiters voted at the city's eight early voting centers on opening day, passing the 1,897 ballots on the first day of early voting in 2024, FOX 2 Detroit reported. Six of the eight centers close Sunday, Nov. 1; the City Clerk's Office, 2 Woodward Ave., and 2978 W. Grand Blvd. stay open Monday, Nov. 2, The Detroit News reported. DDOT fares are free Tuesday, Nov. 3, WDIV reported.

Source: FOX 2 Detroit / The Detroit News, October 26, 2026; WDIV Local 4

Vámonos owner on Southwest Detroit

Denisse Lopez-Avila, who opened Vámonos, a healthy eatery and class space on W. Vernor Highway near Clark Park, in 2023 and runs it with her husband, Carlos Lopez, told Detroit Community Thrive what the February 2025 water main break showed her: “It taught us how strong mutual aid can be in Southwest Detroit.”

Source: Detroit Community Thrive, “Southwest Detroit, Always,” October 30, 2026

What's Next

• Sunday, Nov. 1 — early voting ends at six Detroit centers
• Monday, Nov. 2 — early voting ends at the last two centers
• Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Election Day
• Thursday, Nov. 5 — advisory council's RenCen letter of support expected
• Friday, Nov. 6 — Homeowners Property Exemption deadline, 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 12 — City Council committee on the RenCen benefits agreement
• Thursday, Dec. 31 — first Dakkota line shuts

Metro Detroit

Michigan votes Tuesday; SMART and DDOT rides are free

A Detroit News/WDIV poll of 600 likely voters, taken Oct. 19-22 by the Glengariff Group, had Democrat Abdul El-Sayed at 51.4% and Republican Mike Rogers at 45.1% for U.S. Senate, and Democrat Jocelyn Benson at 51.4% and Republican John James at 44.5% for governor, Deadline Detroit reported. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 points.

SMART will offer free rides on all its services in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and DDOT will also offer free fares, WDIV reported. Connector and ADA Paratransit riders should reserve in advance.

Wayne, Oakland and Macomb voters decide a 10-year renewal of the Detroit Zoo's 0.1-mill tax, first approved in 2008. Advocates put the cost at $10 a year for a $200,000 home, FOX 2 reported. Wayne and Oakland voters also decide a 0.2-mill, 10-year tax for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and other historical museums, WDIV reported.

Source: FOX 2 Detroit / WDIV Local 4 / WDIV ballot list / Deadline Detroit, September-October 2026

Comments are open below.