The Ilitch family has created a virtual monopoly around its Little Caesars Arena after taxpayers forked over nearly $400 million — gobbling up large apartment buildings and leaving them abandoned; covering prime real estate in parking lots that violate city ordinances; using contractors who don’t hire the required number of Detroiters; and failing to deliver on promises to develop the area between downtown and Midtown.
Now, according to a federal lawsuit, city officials have denied permits to longtime vendors who had made extra money selling hot dogs, peanuts, bottled water and sports-themed trinkets.…
