The City of Detroit has begun its first road improvement program in the era of COVID-19, with plans to repave 93 miles of major roads and residential streets under strict work safety rules announced three weeks ago by Mayor Mike Duggan. Road construction plans were announced at the Mayor’s briefing May 20.
This year, City workers and contracted work crews will resurface 44 miles of major thoroughfares and 49 miles of local roads, with one bridge being rehabilitated. Work will include construction on five separate streetscape projects designed to beautify and enhance commercial corridors.
In all cases, safe workplace protocols have been put in place to ensure that the safety of City and contracted employees and the public is maintained.
Some of the major thoroughfares slated for improvements include sections of Conner, Wyoming, E. Lafayette, Hubbell, Burt, and Joy Road. Work is already underway on some projects and, weather permitting, the construction season will continue through December.
The City also will revitalize five commercial corridors, which in most cases includes new wider sidewalks for café seating, landscaping, improved lighting, separated bike paths and new pavement. Those locations are:
- Kercheval from E Grand Blvd. to Parker
- McNichols from Greenlawn to Livernois
- Conant from Davison to Carpenter
- Rosa Parks from Clairmount to W. Grand Blvd
- Grand Parklet at the intersection of Puritan/Plainview/Grand River
Funding for these projects will come from a combination of federal and state transportation funds, as well as road bond funds approved in 2017. The road construction and streetscape projects will cost $89 million.
For a complete list and map of the road construction projects, go to detroitmi.gov/news.
Detroit businesses can register for the Detroit Means Business program beginning at 6 p.m. May 20, according to Charity Dean, Director of the City’s Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity Department. Dean provided the update at Mayor Duggan’s briefing May 20.
The Detroit Means Business program is the work of a coalition of 33 government, business, nonprofit and philanthropic partners assisting Detroit small businesses with safely and successfully reopening. Support is available to Detroit small businesses, emphasizing those with under 50 employees.
Beginning May 21, the City’s business support team will take calls to answer questions regarding the new program. Business owners can call (844) 333-8249 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
In addition, business owners can view the first Webinar addressing how a company can bring employees back to work without impacting employees’ unemployment benefits. A second Webinar on May 22 will focus on marketing.
On the new site, DetroitMeansBusiness.org, business owners will find: reopening guidelines developed by the Detroit Health Department; sources to obtain PPE; Webinars on how to operate a business safely; and financial and technical resources for businesses in the COVID-19 era.
The annual Ford Fireworks is set for August 31 as a television-only event, said Tony Michaels, President and CEO of The Parade Company, at the Mayor’s briefing May 20. Spectators will not be allowed to view the fireworks in person because of the Coronavirus.
The theme for this year’s event is We Are One Together. In addition to the fireworks display, the three-hour show on WDIV Channel 4 will recognize frontline workers and individuals impacted by the virus.
COVID-19 Testing Now Available to All Detroiters
Beginning May 20, any Detroit resident can get a free COVID-19 test at the State Fairgrounds.
Residents will need to make an appointment and have identification when they arrive for the test. However, they won’t need a doctor’s prescription or to be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Residents should call (313) 230-0505 to schedule an appointment. For Identification, residents can use:
- Driver’s License
- State or City ID
- Documents showing their address in last 30 days, such as a utility bill, pay stub, lease agreement or credit card statement
Ascension Health has joined the coalition of health care organizations and governments providing tests at the Fairgrounds, helping to increase testing capacity. As many as 2000 tests are administered daily at the site.
For more information on COVID-19 testing at the State Fairgrounds, go to detroitmi.gov/coronavirus.
Health Department Continues Testing at Senior Apartment Buildings
The Detroit Health Department (DHD) has tested 1600 residents at 30 senior apartment buildings, said Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair at the Mayor’s briefing May 20. The infection rate is roughly two percent.
Testing at senior buildings is expected to be completed by mid-June.
Nursing Home Residents to Get Second Test
In addition, DHD is now doing a second round of tests on seniors at Detroit nursing homes. The department has completed testing at half of the nursing homes, which began in April.
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Meals Available for Detroit Families and Seniors