Detroit, MI

With funding secured, here’s when Detroit Lake marina excavation could get underway

Published

1 year ago

August 29, 2024

With funding secured, here’s when Detroit Lake marina excavation could get underway

People have been so anxious for the dredging under the two marinas in Detroit Lake to begin that they assumed construction was starting this fall.

And this is a year when people are allowed to keep their boats at Kane’s Marina and Detroit Lake Marina into September, much longer than the past couple years.

The reality is the construction of the project, which will move 162,000 cubic yards of dirt from under the marinas and create a peninsula, is expected to start during the fall of 2025 after more than a decade of planning.

The Marion County Commissioners on Wednesday voted to accept $2 million from the federal department of Housing and Urban Development through its Community Project Funding Program.

It’s another step forward toward extending the recreation season in Detroit.

“I think this has been a long time coming project,” Marion County Commissioner Kevin Cameron said. “It’s still a long time out there.”

When will the excavation project start at Detroit Lake?

The first phase of the project, which included developing the design and figuring out what to do with the excavated dirt, was completed last year.

Now, Marion County is applying for permits and creating the engineering for the project.

Construction is expected to start in fall 2025 and be completed by the spring 2026, prior to the start of the boating season.

All of the dirt will be used to form a U-shaped 2,400-foot, 120-foot wide peninsula that would extend towards Piety Island south of the city.

The project aims to enable the marinas to operate when the water is as low as 1,525 feet above sea level. That is expected to make it so that the marinas could operate from May 1 through Oct. 1.

The design of that is to allow the tourist-dependent community of Detroit to earn more from the tourist season.

This year, boats have to be out of Kane’s Marina by Sept. 2, which is longer than in some years.

Last year, boats had to be removed by Aug. 21 because of low water levels in Detroit Lake. In 2021, it was July 11.

“It’s a wonderful investment for that community,” said Lari Rupp, an economic development specialist for Marion County.

How is the $5 million Detroit Lake project being paid for?

The $2 million in HUD funding is coming from the federal government’s appropriations from late 2022.

That money has to be used for costs associated with excavation and transportation.

Marion County has allocated $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

It also has $60,000 in money from the Business Oregon Brownfields Redevelopment Fund. And Marion County has allocated $50,000 in economic development lottery dollars.

The project has been discussed for years, but much of the delay was due to the lack of funds.

After the COVID-19 pandemic and the Labor Day wildfires of 2020 wiped out much of Detroit, more money has become available to help in the recovery.

“It takes a long time to get projects done,” Marion County Commissioner Danielle Bethell said.

Cameron said that community members had asked him about if the plan had been scaled back from initial plans. But they were informed the plan is unchanged.

“We’ve been following through from the same permits that were submitted in 2017 when they tried to excavate a certain area,” Rupp said.

Bill Poehler covers Marion and Polk County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at bpoehler@StatesmanJournal.com

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Detroit, MI

Pistons’ Cade Cunningham provides Christmas joy to Detroit families

Published

10 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Press Room

Pistons’ Cade Cunningham provides Christmas joy to Detroit families

Detroit — Cade Cunningham has fond memories of looking up to the athletes who impacted his community when he was growing up in Arlington, Texas. In a city where Dirk Nowitzki was at the peak of his career with the Dallas Mavericks, Cunningham remembers several Dallas Cowboys players visiting his school during the holiday season.

Watching professional athletes instilled in him a desire to one day give back to the community through his own humanitarian efforts. On Sunday afternoon, the now-All-NBA guard hosted “A Cade Christmas” — a holiday giveback event dedicated to helping hundreds of Detroit youth and their families. The event took place at the Detroit Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center.

“This is special. This is the cool part about doing what I get to do, which is to give back with the resources I have. This is something me and my family love to do,” Cunningham said. “I was once in their shoes, and I always appreciated when people came back, or just seeing the players that I looked up to and admired. It is crazy that I am in this position now, but I try to do the best I can and give back in the best way that I can.”

Cade and the Cunningham family sponsored the event, which featured a festive Christmas party atmosphere complete with games, food and music for all attending families. Children also had the opportunity to take pictures with Cunningham and play a quick game of pop-a-shot.

There were dozens of donation gifts, from Detroit Pistons-branded basketballs to brand-new bicycles for every child. Parents received grocery and gas gift cards, along with a free gift-wrapping station. The Christmas celebration also included a game truck, face painters, balloon artists and a photo booth.

“This was amazing, I loved this event,” Kalaundra Hall said. “I loved that my students and kids got a chance to participate in this, coming out, and have a nice holiday event before Christmas, and of course, meet Cade Cunningham.”

Hall continued, “These students don’t get many opportunities like this on a daily basis. How often do they get to meet an NBA athlete? Some kids may not even be experiencing Christmas, but they get to come here and get something. This helped kids come out, have a good time, meet some friends, play — this was great for them.”

“A Cade Christmas” partnered with Give Merit — a Detroit-based youth organization that champions educational access and mentorship for underserved students.

A Cade Christmas was one of Cunningham’s many examples of his commitment to the city of Detroit as the face of the Pistons franchise.

“I’ve been blessed with the resources that I have to allow me to do things like this, and it is only right to give back,” Cunningham said. “As a kid, I always thought, ‘Once I make it, this is going to be something that I would love to do.’ It’s amazing. I am really thankful.”

coty.davis@detroitnews.com

@cotydavis_24

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Detroit, MI

Central Michigan will play in Detroit’s GameAbove Sports Bowl

Published

22 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Press Room

Central Michigan will play in Detroit’s GameAbove Sports Bowl

Detroit ― Central Michigan will play Northwestern in the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Detroit’s Ford Field on Dec. 26, it was announced Sunday.

The game starts at 1 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN.

The Chippewas finished 7-5 this season, including wins in four of their last six games. Northwestern’s 6-6 record included a 24-22 loss to Michigan on Nov. 15 at Wrigley Field. CMU also played the Wolverines, losing 63-3 on Sept. 13 at Michigan Stadium.

Joe Labas led the Chippewas’ offense this season, completing 68.9 percent of his passes for 12 TD against six interceptions.

This is a developing story. Come back to detroitnews.com soon for more.

GameAbove Sports Bowl

CENTRAL MICHIGAN VS. NORTHWESTERN

➤ Kickoff: 1 p.m. Dec. 26, Ford Field, Detroit

➤ TV: ESPN

➤ Records: Central Michigan 7-5; Northwestern 6-6

➤ Bowl history: This is the 11th playing of this version of Detroit’s bowl game, previously known as the Quick Lane Bowl. Toledo beat Pittsburgh, 48-46, in six overtimes in 2024. This is CMU’s 14th bowl game; the Chippewas are 4-9.

tpaul@detroitnews.com

@tonypaul1984

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Detroit, MI

Meijer Postgame Comments 12/6/25 | Detroit Red Wings

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2025

Press Room

Meijer Postgame Comments 12/6/25 | Detroit Red Wings

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