St. Mary’s was founded by Father Martin Kundig in 1835 for the German-speaking Catholics in Detroit. This is the third oldest Catholic parish in the city. The cornerstone for the original church was laid on the feast of Corpus Christi, June 19, 1841, and the church was consecrated in honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on
February 2026 We visited as the work in Greektown was underway. The construction fencing and photographs were helpful. March 2026 Wayfinding signage helps to direct people around downtown Detroit. The streets are notoriously difficult to navigate due to the radiating avenues from Grand Circus Park. The Griswold Apartments, a modern residential addition built directly on top ofthe pre-existing 10-story 150
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy continues to expand in both directions between the Belle Isle bridge and the Ambassador Bridge. Not too great an imagination is needed to see future expansions beyond that. This perspective showcases a newer, modernized stretch of the award-winning Detroit Riverwalk. Distinct structural elements right next to Hart Plaza include a steel mesh and glass panel partition.
S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald Anchor One evening in 1974, the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald anchored at the Detroit River’s Belle Isle Anchorage, 800 feet off Riopelle Street, east of the Renaissance Center. The next morning, as the crew worked to raise the starboard bow anchor, a chain link separated. The 12,290 pound anchor remained on the bottom of the Detroit River. The
The Main Street Now conference is the largest gathering of downtown revitalization leaders each year. This year the conference is in Tulsa from April 12-15, 2026. Wayfinding helps to orient to the downtown. There are multiple subareas that they define. I started in the Cathedral District, moved through the Art Deco district and got as far as Utica Square by
In St. Louis there is a remarkable collection of artifacts and one major building associated with famed architect Louis Sullivan. The artifacts are held in the St. Louis Museum of Art. The building is the Wainwright, a few blocks from the Gateway Arch. Louis Sullivan, American, 1856-1924 Winslow Brothers Company Ornamental Iron Works, Chicago, Illinois Balusters from the Schlesinger and
The Cortex innovation district is conveniently located by transit from the airport and other locations throughout St. Louis served by Metro. Upon arriving in the district one of the first things that struck me was the prairie grass project. A very conscious effort was made to plant native materials. The Police Department Parking Garage had more character than most buildings.
Olive’s Bloombox is a florist and gift store at 262 W 9 Mile Rd in Ferndale, Michigan. Each section has a dedicated rug to set it apart from the others. The space is not overly full. Items can stand out and have room to themselves, rather than crowding every inch with product. A recycled wire stool and metal shelves create
Rarely does a store stop me in my tracks because I find it so unique and compelling. Rebel Nell has a physical location in Detroit that doubles as their workshop. They are a social enterprise providing employment to women navigating barriers to work – whether housing insecurity, incarceration, displacement, disability, or other systemic obstacles. Reclaimed materials are taken and transformed
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Praetorian Barracks (Sacro Cuore di Gesù a Castro Pretorio) is topped by a prominent statue of “Christ The Redeemer” on the bell tower is made of gilded bronze and was added in 1931. The basilica is situated on the Esquiline hill, on Via Marsala, opposite the main Termini railway station. It