Detroiters Reminded to Practice Safety Guidelines As Coronavirus Cases Increase in Surrounding Communities
City officials today sounded the alarm regarding an increase in hospitalizations in Detroit and rising coronavirus cases in surrounding communities and encouraged Detroit residents to continue to practice safety guidelines.
The city is not seeing a spread of the virus in schools, restaurants and workplaces. However, the number of hospitalizations is increasing and is most disturbing, said Mayor Mike Duggan at his news briefing October 21. “We have to catch this trend now,” the Mayor said. “We know that everyone is tired of the restrictions but we have to continue to be safe.”
The Mayor and Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair pointed out that the infection rate is low in Detroit now, but surrounding areas are seeing increases in cases. The current rate for Detroit is 2.2%, compared to Wayne County at 4.6%, Oakland County at 4.5%, and Macomb County at 7.1%. Across Michigan, the rate currently stands at 4.9%.
“Detroit has been able to sustain a remarkable track record in managing COVID-19, and this is in large part due to the efforts of residents and businesses in this city, who have taken this pandemic serious,” Fair said. “However, we are not on an island. The surrounding increased infection rates will likely spread to us, and if we don’t double down on wearing our masks, social distancing and doing what we know right now, to stay safe, we may very well see an uptick in new cases in Detroit.”
Fair also encouraged residents to rethink their plans for the holidays, especially if they involve gathering indoors. She stressed that at indoor gatherings:
- The limit is 10 people or less
- Individuals need to wear masks and practice social distancing
- Windows should be open to provide ventilation
However, she recommends that any gatherings be held outdoors.
Mayor, FCA highlight 100% Detroiter employment so far as auto maker hits half way mark in hiring for new plant
City and FCA officials announced that Detroiters have been hired for all of the 4100 positions the company has filled thus far for its new plant on Detroit’s east side. In addition, 3400 of those individuals are already working as supplemental workers at other FCA plants. Mayor Mike Duggan, FCA External Affairs Lead Ron Stallworh and Nicole Sherard-Freeman, Executive Director of Workforce Development and Detroit at Work, provided the update at the Mayor’s news briefing October 21.
As part of the City’s agreement with FCA, the automaker committed to interviewing Detroit residents first for every available position for the lifetime of the plant, after it fulfills UAW requirements to hire laid off autoworkers and temporary workers at the plant. Detroit At Work was instrumental in identifying and assisting Detroiters through the FCA hiring process. The new FCA plant will employ 3,850 people and another 1,100 jobs will be added to the Jefferson North Assembly Plant. The plant is expected to open in March or April 2021.
Detroit At Work to Assist Detroiters with Amazon Jobs
In addition, City officials said Detroiters should make preparations for the 1200 jobs expected at the new Amazon facility at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. The project was approved by City Council this week.
Amazon jobs pay $15 an hour plus benefits with the potential to make more with shift differential and overtime. The company is expected to begin hiring in about a year.
Individuals interested in working for Amazon should go online to detroitatwork.com.
Mayor Mike Duggan and City, state and federal officials joined developers this week to celebrate the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority awarding competitive Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) awards to five affordable housing developments in the city of Detroit.
Collectively, the five awards will create or preserve 282 units of affordable housing for residents earning between $16,500 and $44,000 per year. With the inclusion of the previously awarded and future phases of one of the five projects, this brings to 396 the total number of affordable units being created by the developments. Together, the five projects represent a $122.9 million investment.
The largest of the five projects is Brush & Watson in the historic Brush Park neighborhood. Of the total 310 units, 90 will be reserved for residents earning incomes starting about $16,000 to $28,000 a year. Another 70 units will be reserved for residents earning about $42,000 per year.
Named after the longtime leader of Historic Little Rock Baptist Church, Jim Holley Residences will have a total of 60 affordable units, and the building will feature 5,000 square feet of commercial space. Work is expected to begin in the spring and take 14 to 15 months to complete.
Left Field at former Tiger Stadium: The first phase of this new construction will include 60 units, 48 of which are set aside as affordable housing. Work is expected to begin next summer.
Midtown Square: Located at 93 Seward in New Center, Midtown Square has 73 units, all of which will remain affordable. Total investment: $18.5 million.
Friendship Meadows II: This senior-housing complex at 1003 Leland Street will have 52 units that will remain 100 percent affordable. Total investment: $6.6 million.
Let Us Know What You Want for the Future of Parks & Recreation in Detroit
Your input will help create the goals of the plan, which in turn shapes future investments in parks, greenways, recreation centers and programs. Your input is essential to developing a vibrant park and recreation system in Detroit. Thank you!!
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FIND A PARK NEAR YOU
Explore Detroit parks through this web app. You can search where you would like to go and find the closest city parks. And filter by amenity to find what you would like to do in a park – such as a playground for kids, a walking path with a bathroom or a dog park.
For more information on the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan, visit the website or contact Juliana Fulton at fultonj@detroitmi.gov or (313) 744-3202.
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