Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Water Feature at Wilson Centennial Park to be Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and Huron-Clinton Metroparks announced today that the water feature at Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park will be named the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden.
The 2.5-acre water garden is one of the four main attractions inside the 22-acre park, which is scheduled to open along the West Riverfront in 2024.
The Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden will be the first-ever Metroparks location within the city of Detroit and will feature numerous opportunities for visitors to experience the water through winding walking paths, tranquil seating areas, educational signage, and open-air classrooms where engaging programming with students and visitors will take place.
This announcement comes the week Metroparks also announces a new strategic plan that outlines a three-year vision of planning and progress for the organization under three main goal posts of “listen and connect,” “maintain and invest,” and “conserve and steward.” One of the objectives outlined in the plan is to increase access to Metroparks services for Wayne County and the city of Detroit with a physical presence and customized programming.
“The naming of the water garden is incredibly exciting for us,” says Amy McMillan, director of Huron-Clinton Metroparks. “The Metroparks form a greenbelt of vibrant active and natural spaces around the metro Detroit region, but for decades there has been a gap in Metroparks presence within the city of Detroit. We are finally making progress towards closing that gap and establishing a physical presence that residents can engage with daily. We know we still have a lot of work to do, but we are grateful for this strong partnership that is helping us realize progress towards that goal.”
Mark Wallace, president and CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, says: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Huron-Clinton Metroparks on the Detroit Riverfront. The partnership between the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and Huron-Clinton Metroparks has already reached thousands of people in our region. For more than two years, we have been introducing Detroiters to the Metroparks and connecting Metroparks visitors to the Detroit Riverfront. Those numbers will continue to grow when we open the Water Garden at Ralph Wilson Park in 2024.”
Other major attractions of Ralph Wilson Park include the William Davidson Sport House, which features two regulation basketball courts, the Delta Dental Play Garden, which features an array of animal structures for kids to climb in and around and the DTE Foundation Lawn that will be used for special events and programming.
Livonia Insulin Management Company Hygieia Expands to Arizona with Partnership
Hygieia, a Livonia-based provider of digital therapeutics for insulin management, has added Endocrinology Associates in Scottsdale and Chandler, Ariz. as a clinical partner.
This makes Hygieia’s d-Nav autonomous insulin therapy service available to patients with type 2 diabetes in Arizona.
Patients who use insulin for diabetes require time-consuming, ongoing care management to keep their blood sugar levels stable. Most physicians do not have the time or resources to analyze and adjust their patients’ insulin doses as often as needed.
With the d-Nav clinical partnership, endocrinologists can ensure their patients receive necessary dose adjustments whenever needed, without an office visit. This significantly frees-up the physician’s time and provides improved glucose management for patients.
The unique d-Nav Insulin Management Program uses FDA-cleared technology to autonomously prescribe the appropriate insulin dose each time a patient prepares to inject. d-Nav Technology allows users to receive dose adjustments directly, rather than waiting for an in-office evaluation.
“When patients can get the correct insulin dose right when they need it, it makes a world of difference in their overall health,” says Dr. Israel Hodish, co-founder and medical director of Hygieia. “Patients feel better and have less complications because their glucose levels are more stable.”
Oakland University Board Decides Against East Campus Development
Having explored potential opportunities to develop land at the corner of Walton Boulevard and Adams Road and thereby generate additional revenue to support the university, the Oakland University Board of Trustees Chair Bobby Schostak announced that effective Jan. 6, the university has suspended formal consideration of development options.
The board and university leaders engaged students, faculty, staff, and many other campus stakeholders in a collaborative and deliberative consideration process over the last year.
“Proceeding with a project at this time is not in the university’s best interests due to the current economic environment and the need for more direct mission alignment,” Schostak says.
“The board deeply appreciates the considerable time and effort undertaken to explore this potential revenue generating opportunity, as well as the insightful campus community feedback provided throughout the process.”
Total Door Systems Founder Leon Yulkowski Dies at 93
Leon Yulkowski, inventor, architect, engineer, and founder, with his wife Christine, of Total Door Systems in Waterford Township, died Dec. 29, 2022, at the age of 93.
Total Door Systems is the only independent U.S.-based manufacturer of integrated door systems and has products in buildings around the world.
Even in his late 80s after he and his wife retired from Total Door Systems, he kept working on new ideas. “Leon is always drawing,” Christine says. “He’s still talking about new businesses.”
Leon spent his early childhood on a farm in Utica until his family moved to Detroit so he could enroll as a student at Cass Tech High School. After graduating, he attended Highland Park Junior College where he met Christine. He then attended Lawrence Institute of Technology (now Lawrence Technological University) where he studied architecture and architectural engineering.
Upon graduation, he went to work for Bechtel Corp., constructing a power plant in California.
After working at Bechtel, Yulkowski served in the Army Core of Engineers during the Korean War. Upon his return, he studied architecture and city planning at Cranbrook and began working for the architect Eero Saarinen. Yulkowski’s most notable projects in that capacity were Dulles Airport outside Washington, D.C. and the TWA terminal at New York’s Idlewild (now JFK) Airport.
Yulkowski left architecture in the late 1950s, to establish General Lock Co. in Pontiac and secured his first patent, for a locking system with lever handles. Some 13 years later the Yulkowskis sold their company to the lock manufacturer Schlage, and the family took time off and moved to Munich, Germany, where they lived for more than a year. Upon their return to Michigan in 1974, the couple started Total Door.
Today, Total Door Systems, is a leading company in the building industry, introducing innovative products and technologies, and expanding its market around the world. The company is led by his daughter, Patricia Yulkowski.
Capri Holdings Foundation Partners with Pensole Lewis College on Diversity Program
Pensole Lewis College (PLC) in Detroit, in partnership with The Capri Holdings Foundation for the Advancement of Diversity in Fashion, announced a masterclass to introduce students from historically underrepresented communities — including Black, indigenous, and people of color — to career paths in footwear and accessories design.
The PLC x Capri Foundation masterclass is part of the $20 million pledge made by Capri Holdings Ltd., parent company to luxury brands Versace, Jimmy Choo, and Michael Kors, to the Capri Foundation in support of its mission of advancing equality and promoting long-term change in the fashion industry.
“We are honored and excited to participate in this important initiative to educate and diversify an industry that has been supported by communities who historically have been left out of the product creation process,” says D’Wayne Edwards, founder and president of PLC. “This is a major step in the right direction.”
Sixteen students were selected to participate in a five-week accelerated footwear and accessories design masterclass beginning Monday; tuition and living expenses will be funded by the Capri Foundation. The masterclass curriculum will stem from a design brief co-created by PLC and the Capri Foundation and will feature a number of guest speakers from the Capri Holdings, Versace, Jimmy Choo, and Michael Kors design, retail management, communications, and recruitment teams.
The curriculum aims to provide valuable insight and unrivalled mentorship to participating students and will culminate in a workshop with Sandra Choi, creative director of longtime PLC partner Jimmy Choo.
“I have enormous admiration for the opportunities D’Wayne has created to support the future generation of creative talent in footwear and accessory design,” Choi says. “Education is power, to be able to play a part in providing an essential step in the learning journey of these talented students is a privilege.”
Art Foundation, Community Financial CU Partner to Continue Plymouth ArtWalk Program
Art Foundation, the Detroit-based nonprofit established by Detroit artist Tony Roko, has launched phase two of its signature Plymouth ArtWalk program.
Continuing the program’s first phase, completed in May 2021, the project activates and beautifies unused spaces into a curated outdoor gallery. The second phase will feature 10 art installations by Tony Roko in downtown Plymouth.
As the official sponsor for phase two, Community Financial Credit Union (CFCU) has donated $50,000 in support of the program’s efforts to use artwork as the catalyst for community engagement. The partnership has unveiled the first two installations, both featured in CFCU’s home office in the city of Plymouth. The paintings in the initial installation of phase two are “’66,” Roko’s rendition of the iconic Ford Bronco, highlighting Roko’s background as Ford’s artist in residence, and “Cityscape,” Roko’s depiction of the Detroit skyline.
“Activating unutilized areas of downtown Plymouth with interesting artwork is part of the Plymouth DDA’s five-year strategic plan,” says Sam Plymale, director of the downtown development authority for the city of Plymouth. “Creating community partnerships is critical to the success of Downtown Plymouth, and this next phase of the Plymouth ArtWalk would not be possible without the great community partnership with Community Financial Credit Union and Tony Roko’s Art Foundation.”
The eight remaining installations are planned for completion by April and will be located in the downtown Plymouth corridor in the alleyways connecting Penniman Avenue, Main Street, and Ann Arbor Trail to the parking deck located at 333 S. Harvey St. The project will feature interactive opportunities for the community to engage with the artwork, including a QR code that directs to information about the artwork, Roko’s background, a podcast-style audio tour and more.
“Through expressing our collective human experience, I firmly believe that art holds the power to connect us. This is where my passion for bringing my art to my hometown stems from,” Roko says. “I’m excited about Community Financial spring-boarding into the future. Our partnership means so much to me because they care so deeply about people and deepening community impact. We are dreaming boldly together.”
Roko’s background began on the line at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant, where he was recognized for his talents and named the company’s resident artist, painting murals in numerous Ford facilities. Now, as one of Detroit’s most renowned and successful artists, Roko established Art Foundation in 2017 to provide high-level arts training and arts entrepreneurial training to the most underrepresented populations in metro Detroit.
In celebration of the launch of the collaboration, CFCU’s recently launched podcast, “Despite Impossible,” features Roko as the first guest. With the show focusing on stories of individuals who have defied odds and don’t comprehend the word impossible, Roko serving as the inaugural guest honors the work he has done to benefit the Detroit community and the opportunity the partnership sees ahead.
38th Annual Southfield MLK Peace Walk Celebration Set for Jan. 16
The city of Southfield and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force will host the 38th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Peace Walk Celebration at 9 a.m. on Jan. 16 at Hope United Methodist Church (26275 Northwestern Highway).
This year’s theme will be “The Global Impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
The peace walk will depart from Hope United Methodist Church and be followed by an 11 a.m. program at the Southfield Pavilion (26000 Evergreen Road). Community members wishing to participate in this year’s Peace March are asked to arrive by 9 a.m. at the Hope United Methodist Church gymnasium. Participants also are asked to wear a mask. A Taste Fest will take place immediately following the program in the Southfield Pavilion.
“Our theme of The Global Impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. provides the backdrop for our event,” says Faira Glenn, president of the Task Force. “We want to continue to provide the community with the assistance needed during these difficult times as we remember Dr. King and his commitment to dreaming of a world that recognized and believed in the humanity of all.”
The Task Force also will recognize youth for their community service at the MLK Youth Service Awards at 7 p.m. at Hope United Methodist Church today. Pre-registration is required here.
Southfield was the first city in the state of Michigan to hold an MLK peace walk or march. The first Peace Walk took place on Jan. 20, 1986, commemorating the first national observance of King’s birthday. The walk continues to grow in size and scope each year, with year-long educational and community outreach activities.
In Related News: The city of Southfield, in partnership with Forgotten Harvest and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Task Force, will host a food drive from 9 a.m.-noon 12 Jan. 13 at the Southfield Municipal Campus (26000 Evergreen Road) in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Families in need can pull up in their vehicle to the Southfield Parks and Recreation circular drive during the event time and follow directions to receive a free food box. The Task force will have food available for the first 250 families.
“Our theme of The Global Impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. provides the backdrop for our event,” says Faira Glenn, president of the Task Force. “We want to continue to provide the community with the assistance needed during these difficult times as we remember Dr. King and his commitment to dreaming of a world that recognized and believed in the humanity of all.”
