Detroit, MI

Mayor Duggan takes bus to opening day at Detroit’s new Jason Hargrove Transit Center

Published

2 years ago

May 11, 2024

Mayor Duggan takes bus to opening day at Detroit’s new Jason Hargrove Transit Center

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan didn’t drive to his first or second stop of the day Saturday morning — instead, he took the bus.

Duggan greeted smiling residents, shook their hands and listened to Detroiters as the 4-Woodward bus made its way to the opening day of the Jason Hargrove Transit Center, a 52,000-square-foot sheltered transportation hub redeveloped from the former Dairy Cattle Barn on the abandoned Michigan State Fairgrounds. The center connects five DDOT routes — 4 Woodward, 12 Conant, 17 Eight Mile, 30 Livernois and 54 Wyoming — and eight SMART bus routes to service an estimated 25,000 riders a week, as well as ride-share customers and people using MoGo bikes and scooters.

“We’ve moved out of that temporary hub into a state-of-the-art transfer facility that’s got plenty of amenities, and we’ll continue to build upon that,” said Michael Staley, interim director of DDOT. “It’s the beginning of service enhancements here at DDOT.”

The facility, which is part of a $31 million redevelopment of the fairgrounds, is named after Jason Hargrove, a Detroit Department of Transportation bus driver who died of COVID-19 in 2020 during the early days of the pandemic, leaving behind his wife and six children.

Before his untimely passing, Hargrove spoke out for bus drivers like himself, stressing their roles as essential workers during the pandemic because of the community’s need for public transportation to take people who were still working to their jobs every day. He advocated for better conditions for bus drivers, like real restrooms to use instead of port-a-potties.

As a result, the Jason Hargrove Transit Center features a dedicated lounge and restroom for the comfort and convenience for bus operators to rest and relax in between their shifts.

“In this specific space, there was a whole lot of talk about making a designated restroom for the drivers … and a place for them to warm up a lunch they brought in a lunch tote so they could save some money and not have to stop. Little things like that that you don’t think is a big deal, but it is,” said Corey McIsaac, deputy director of media relations for the city of Detroit. “(These changes) show the bus drivers that the city really cares about them.”

Bus riders were the other main consideration in building the new transit center, as passengers had complained to the Mayor’s Office for years about having to wait for bus transfers in the rain, snow, cold or heat of a scorching summer day.

“I used to live across the street, and I would watch people sitting out in the wintertime, and cabs would sit at the site, waiting until someone was desperate enough to pay 25 bucks to get home,” said Duggan. “That got me thinking when I first ran, ‘I got to build a transit center here.’ “

“It was (a two-year design process) because DDOT wanted ridership input. … We had three town hall meetings where we basically just sat with our mics off and let the public talk about what they wanted in this space,” said Jason Dyer, the senior project manager for Ideal Contracting.

The new facility boasts a covered bus tarmac to protect passengers from the elements as well as an indoor lobby furnished with benches and plush couches, a ticket office, bus pass kiosks and public restrooms with retail and restaurant options to come, dotted with remnants of the State Fairgrounds Coliseum, like the orange stadium chairs, the signage and a lit scoreboard.

“That also came from the public. We had our engagement meetings with the public about saving as much as we could from the coliseum, so we tried to incorporate what we could into our new facility,” said Tyrone Clifton, the director of the Detroit Building Authority. Additionally, by the end of the year, the city will have turned the coliseum’s standing portico into a green space and amphitheater.

The Jason Hargrove Transit Center, located at 1120 W. State Fair Ave., is open 24 hours a day and patrolled by the Detroit Police Department. Nonemergency issues can be reported via DDOT Customer Service at 313-933-1300.

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Detroit, MI

Lions-Cowboys preview: Will Dallas’ strengths overpower Detroit problem spots?

Published

3 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Press Room

Lions-Cowboys preview: Will Dallas’ strengths overpower Detroit problem spots?

The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are at very different levels of momentum, but the point stands that they are each in need of getting a win this week.

The Lions are at risk of missing the playoffs after a loss to the Green Bay Packers that has them 7-5 and trading wins and losses for eight straight games.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, have won three straight including victories over the two teams in last year’s Super Bowl, surging back into the postseason conversation at 6-5-1.

There’s still a path for each team to get into the playoffs and that gets much clearer with a win at Ford Field on Thursday.

Here’s a preview of the Lions’ Week 14 opponent, the Dallas Cowboys:

Three players to know

Giving CeeDee Lamb a solid wide receiver partner was needed, but George Pickens becoming one of the top receivers in the NFL was not necessarily what was expected this season after being traded from the Steeler. Lamb’s still been very productive, despite missing three games due to an ankle injury, while Pickens has been electric in the Dallas offense. He’s second in the NFL with 1,142 yards on 73 catches with eight touchdowns. He’s also tied for the league lead in contested catches with 18, according to Pro Football Focus. This will be the first time Pickens faces the Lions in his career and he’ll keep the Detroit secondary busy.
A name you might’ve heard linked to the Lions during the pre-draft process last season in edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku has quickly become a mainstay of the Dallas defense. The unit struggled heavily early on this season, but after trading Micah Parsons the Packers, it opened the door for Ezeiruaku to get snaps early and he’s proven to be a capable defender out of the gate. The Boston College product has the top defensive grade on the team with an 81.2 on PFF, 30 total tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. He’s credited with 18 defensive stops, second for Dallas, and fourth in pressures with 28. While the interior D-line gets most of the attention for its star power with Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, Ezeiruaku is making a case as the Defensive Rookie of the Year from the edge spot.
Coinciding with Dallas’ improved defense the past few weeks has been the return of linebacker DeMarvion Overshown from injury. He’s lost the majority of his first two seasons due to different significant injuries, but returned in Week 11 after tearing three ligaments in his knee less than a year ago. He brings a huge motor to the front seven, very similar to what the Lions get out of Jack Campbell, and seems to be a huge connective piece for the unit. Overshown should be all over the field and one of the guys the Lions will always have to be aware of on Thursday.

Quarterback corner

Dak Prescott has always been one of the more explosive quarterbacks in the NFL, but between injuries, personnel issues and years where the Cowboys don’t have any semblance of a run game, things have been inconsistent.

After getting his new weapon in Pickens and running back Javonte Williams trending to be a 1,000-yard rusher by the end of Thursday’s game, it’s opened up Prescott for a very strong season.

He played in just eight games last season, but Prescott’s been available all 12 games for Dallas, throwing for 3,261 yards on 69.3% completion, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Prescott’s a little more turnover-prone this season compared to some of his top years and he’s taken 17 sacks, but the production is hard to contain.

He’s thrown for 300-plus yards in four games this season, including the last two, and sits third in the NFL for passing grade this season on PFF, trailing former Lion Matthew Stafford and the Packers’ Jordan Love.

Keys to success

Plug up the interior run game: The Cowboys had one of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL through Week 8 — and it still ranks poorly — but the past few weeks their unit has taken off. As Clark and Williams have changed the dynamic for the interior defensive line and it led to a pair of dominant performances against the Las Vegas Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles, allowing 90 total rushing yards on 30 carries across the matchup. The Kansas City Chiefs had a bit more luck rushing for 119 yards last week, but a lot of that damage was done on quarterback scrambles and end-around plays rather than trying to bound up the middle. The Lions are a team that prides themselves on winning through the O-line and the run game, but the Cowboys are proving to be one of the tougher teams at establishing the ground game against lately.
Take the points: In contrast to the Lions, the Cowboys aren’t a particularly aggressive fourth down team. They go for it some here or there out of necessity, but convert just 50% of the time. When the option to get points is on the table, they typically do so behind one of the best kickers in the NFL, Brandon Aubrey, whose range goes up to 65 yards. The Cowboys find themselves in a lot of close games where every point matters, so if the opportunity presents itself to get points, Dallas is best suited to take them.

One big question

Will the Cowboys’ strengths overpower the Lions’ injury-plagued counterparts?

The matchup is incredibly rough for the Lions because of specifically where their injuries are heaviest at this point — interior offensive line and secondary.

The Lions are without left guard Christian Mahogany and there’s still uncertainty whether center Graham Glasgow is good to go, meaning the interior O-line could be made up of rookie Tate Ratledge, Kayode Awosika and Trystan Colon again.

The unit struggled last week with the Packers and just lacks experience like the Lions have had over the last few years. Going up against veterans in Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark is going to be no easy feat for Detroit’s guard and center trio.

That spells a tough time for setting up running back Jahmyr Gibbs with some gaps to run through and puts quarterback Jared Goff at risk of operating without a good pocket, which is crucial to success.

On the other side of the ball, the Lions continue to deal with injuries to their secondary as safety Kerby Joseph is still trying to make his return after missing six straight games and cornerback Terrion Arnold is now officially out for the season.

The Cowboys have the top passing attack in the NFL behind star receivers in George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, not to mention help from tight end Jake Ferguson.

The Lions had their memorable “Legion of Whom” game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the group hasn’t quite lived up to that weekly and some aren’t with the active roster anymore.

It’s certainly not to say the Lions can’t come away with a win on Thursday, but when the opposing team’s strength are what Detroit is weakest at in this moment, it makes for a big question mark heading into the game.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield seeking residents’ input on community issues at first town hall

Published

15 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Press Room

Detroit Mayor-elect Mary Sheffield seeking residents’ input on community issues at first town hall

Julia Avant

December 1, 2025 / 11:31 PM EST
/ CBS Detroit

After making history as the first woman elected mayor of Detroit, Mary Sheffield held her first town hall ahead of taking office to get the residents’ insight on community issues.

For the first time, a mayor is taking thoughts from the community and turning them into potential policies. And those residents will have a say on what Sheffield will focus on in her first 100 days in office.

“The most important thing for me is not making history, it’s about delivering and executing for the residents of this city,” Sheffield said.

Sheffield and her team have already formed over a dozen committees focusing on topics like affordable housing and public safety.

At a first-of-its-kind community engagement event at Marygrove Conservancy on Monday night, anyone in Detroit had the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas and be a part of the solution.

“For a long time, from what I heard from residents, they have felt a little disconnected. I think this being for the first start for residents to be engaged with the mayor-elect is pretty impressive; it’s necessary,” said resident Jai Singletary.

While some residents appreciated the opportunity to have a seat at the table, they want to see what will actually be done.

Overall, Sheffield says she has received a lot of feedback. While she and her administration plan to hold more gatherings like this one, she also welcomes everyone and anyone to join her team.

“We have a lot of people who are eager to provide and step up and serve Detroit, and now it’s about getting the best cabinet,” said Sheffield.

The mayor-elect plans to hold similar events in the future and welcomes everyone to leave feedback at any time on the city’s website.

A citywide survey will be sent out to every resident in Detroit to get a consensus of what the community wants.

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Detroit, MI

Detroit Lions start evaluation clock on veteran tight end

Published

1 day ago

December 1, 2025

Press Room

Detroit Lions start evaluation clock on veteran tight end

The Detroit Lions have started the injury evaluation clock on veteran tight end Shane Zylstra, who returned to practice on Monday.

Zylstra suffered an ankle injury during the team’s Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears and has been on injured reserve since. For most of the year, the Lions were able to get by without Zylstra, as he was the team’s TE3 behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.

However, LaPorta is now most likely out for the season after back surgery, and Wright’s season is in danger of being cut short, as well. Wright suffered a trachea injury against the New York Giants, hasn’t practiced since, and coach Dan Campbell noted that it could be a long-term injury, as they await more test results and second opinions.

That’s all to say that Zylstra’s return is coming at a good time for the Lions. Last week, they relied on Ross Dwelley, Anthony Firkser, and undrafted rookie Zach Horton to fill their tight end vacancies.

It’s unclear how quickly Zylstra can get up to speed and in football shape, but if he can go, he gives the Lions a player with 31 games of experience in this offensive system, including three starts for the team. A former wide receiver, Zylstra is definitely more of an offensive weapon than a blocker—he had four touchdown catches in 2022. But he’s also someone who can contribute on special teams, should the Lions need more juice in that aspect of their game. Since landing in Detroit in 2021, Zylstra has logged a total of 361 special teams snaps.

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