City has programmed over $500M of its $827M ARPA Funds; launches new website detailing status of each initiative

• Over 60 percent of City’s ARPA-funded initiatives being implemented or undergoing final approvals prior to implementation

• City seeks to set standard of transparency on ARPA spending with launch of comprehensive website at detroitmi.gov/ARPA

• Residents can track status of 81 ARPA initiatives, find job & contracting opportunities

The City of Detroit has completed programming and begun implementation for programs representing $530 million of its $827 million awarded under the federal America Rescue Plan Act. To provide full transparency to the public of its programs and progress, the City has launched its new ARPA website, www.detroitmi.gov/ARPA.

Officials from departments across city government have been moving swiftly to design approved programs, complete compliance reviews, and implement more than 80 individual initiatives from 15 spending categories approved by the City Council in late June of 2021. The city has until December 31, 2024, to obligate its ARPA funds.

Programs already being implemented include:

• $2.4 Million Basement Back-up Protection pilot (February 2022) New program to prevent residential basement flooding
• $7 Million Lee Plaza announcement (February 2022) Restoration of historic City asset to increase affordable housing options for senior citizens
• $15 Million Community Health Corps Expansion (November 2021) Major expansion of supportive and social services for eligible Detroiters in need across the City
• $75 Million Skills for Life (November 2021) Paid career training, GED completion, and skills development for Detroiters while working to beautify the City
• $30 Million Renew Detroit (October 2021) Roof repair for thousands of eligible homeowners who are either senior citizens or persons of any age with a disability

Dozens of other initiatives for neighborhood beautification and investment, expanding internet access for residents, enhancing public safety and more are currently going through final review prior to implementation.

Read the full story on the city webpage at: City ARPA Funds (detroitmi.gov)

Detroit investing $45M, including $30M in ARPA funds, to renovate 8 recreation centers, open 3 more

• City to purchase closed Dexter-Elmhurst Rec center, spend $8.5M to reopen facility in underserved community

• Major projects also include $5M rebuilding closed Lenox Center in Jefferson Chalmers, $4M expansion of Farwell rec center, and new $12M Fieldhouse at Chandler Park

• Mayor says investment is part of effort to reverse historic disinvestment in city recreation centers since the 1980s

Farwell Recreation Center is one of a dozen recreation centers Detroit will renovate and reopen. Farwell will be expanded with a new gym and outdoor courts. Photo/StudioDetroit Architects

The City of Detroit is spending $45 million to renovate, expand and reopen a dozen recreation centers in the city in what may be the largest period of investment in these facilities in decades. The spending includes $30 million from the city’s share of American Rescue Plan Act funds, $10 million in city bond funds, and $5 million from Roger Penske.

In all, eight existing recreation centers are undergoing major upgrades and renovations. One closed recreation center will be demolished and rebuilt and a closed community center in an underserved neighborhood will be purchased by the city, renovated, and reopened. The city also will construct a new sports fieldhouse complex on the city’s east side.

Mayor Duggan detailed many of the improvements in his State of the City address last week. Since the 1980s, city leaders closed 20 of the city’s recreation centers, leaving children and seniors with fewer options.

Since Mayor Duggan was elected, the city has renovated and reopened the Kemeny Rec Center in southwest Detroit and partnered with Mitch Albom and Matt Stafford to renovate and reactivate the Lipke Recreation Center. It also recently completed the renovation of the Adams Butzel Rec Center on the city’s west side.

Now, Duggan said, the city is making the largest investment in its recreation centers in more than 50 years.

Read the full story at Renovating recreation centers | (detroitmi.gov)

Joe Louis Greenway construction update – Announcing the Warren Gateway Trailhead Park

The Warren Gateway Trailhead Park, part of the Joe Louis Greenway, was announced. The 4-acre location is off of Warren Avenue, west of Livernois, on the Detroit/Dearborn border, and will be accessible in Fall 2022, and completed by Spring 2023.

The project is funded with $3 million by Wilson Foundation and an additional $1 million funded by City UTGO funds.

Features of the Warren Gateway will be:

• Pavilion, fitness equipment, and great lawn area
• Picnic tables and grills within the park
• Accessible restrooms and a community meeting room
• Ample parking for trail users and guests

Learn more on the city webpage at: March 2022: Construction Update (detroitmi.gov)