A concrete decision: The City of Detroit denied a permit that would have allowed a concrete crushing facility to open in Core City, following fierce opposition from the neighborhood’s residents. In a denial letter issued last week, the city’s buildings department said the facility wasn’t compatible with other uses in the area, citing a nearby development that will house chronically homeless Detroiters. Residents had been calling elected officials, gathering petition signatures and holding protests to pressure the city to deny the permit, saying it would increase noise and air pollution. The owner of the vacant land, Murray Wikolhad until Tuesday to appeal the decision. We called the Board of Zoning Appeals yesterday to see if an appeal had been filed, but didn’t immediately receive a response. (WDET, Detroit News)