Hundreds of residents and business owners in Detroit’s east side raised significant concerns regarding new District 5 City Council member Renata Miller’s requests for information on whether bars and restaurants along Kercheval Avenue comply with city regulations. These concerns erupted at a community meeting held at the Butzel Family Center on Monday, October 19, where the atmosphere was described as “raucous.” The meeting, hosted by the Islandview and Charlevoix Village Associations, was adjourned about 30 minutes early amid heated exchanges.
Council member Miller, who joined the council in January, initiated requests to several city departments, including the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department, the law department, and the legislative policy division. She sought reviews of Two Birds, Barkside, and three anticipated alcohol-serving establishments — Bar IX, Grandma Bob’s, and Our House — in the Kercheval Avenue area. Miller stated her inquiries were simply asking for information to answer resident questions and that these are planning questions that deserve a fair, fact-based review. She further clarified that requesting information does not presume the Kercheval business corridor has done anything wrong. Miller emphasized a responsibility to assess what is working and where challenges remain before further investment along the corridor.
The memos from Miller sought details on proper permits, certificates of compliance, and other required approvals for the businesses. One memo requested a list of alcohol-serving establishments along Kercheval, their legal land use versus current operation, outdoor cafe approvals, and consideration of neighborhood impacts around Marcus Garvey Academy, Butzel Family Recreation Center, residential properties, childcare, medical uses, and parking. A separate memo focused specifically on Two Birds, requesting a review of its approval as a restaurant operating as a bar with food trucks, its proximity to homes, schools, recreation centers, and historic districts, and any complaints or enforcement actions. This memo also asked for city oversight practices regarding approved outdoor seating, entertainment, and events and their impact on neighboring residents. Miller stated her request was not an attack on small businesses and that officials should consider updates or improvements to zoning and planning if opportunities arise, with residents and business owners involved. She noted that concerned residents had asked her how many liquor-serving establishments can exist so closely to a school, and whether they can operate late after midnight.
Many business leaders and residents interpreted Miller’s requests as an “opening salvo in blocking new bars or threatening those that are open.” Business owners and residents expressed surprise, stating they did not receive prior communication from the city before Miller issued the two memorandums last week. At the Monday meeting, Miller left early to boos from several attendees, and Islandview Association founder Teresa Davis-Jones adjourned the meeting early. The executive director of The Villages of Detroit CDC, Mac Farr, stated that at the heart of the issue is whether Council member Miller wants these businesses to exist.
The ownership and management team at Two Birds, which has operated in the city for six years, stated they have never experienced issues with City Hall and receive annual inspections, maintaining a paper trail of their compliance. They expressed belief that nothing has changed about their establishment except for Council member Miller holding a position of power, and accused city departments of potentially being weaponized against establishments and projects disliked by one individual. Alissa Graff, founder of the anticipated Bar IX, which will be a women’s sports bar at 7728 Kercheval Avenue, received keys to her building five weeks ago and learned of Miller’s requests from the memos. Graff expressed sadness that assumptions were made without direct contact, stating her intent for Bar IX has always been about community and will include affordable food, non-alcoholic beverages, and space for community gathering. She plans to engage with residents in the coming weeks.
Council member Miller reiterated her sentiments on Tuesday, October 20, further stating she attempted to explain her memos but that no one wanted to hear it, and accusing some attendees of rudeness. She claimed to have observed residents in the room signaling they would not speak due to fear, retaliation, and being mocked. City spokesman John Roach confirmed that officials are investigating the matter and assessing whether the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department is the appropriate department to handle it. Some residents at the meeting countered Miller’s concerns about late-night operations, saying they do not encounter such issues around these establishments. Islandview resident Amy Hemmeter highlighted the importance of walkability for the neighborhood’s quality of life.
