City begins $70M 2022 road improvement program to resurface 66 miles of major and residential streets

• Work to take place along major roads and in neighborhoods across the city

• Improvements include three commercial corridor streetscapes

• City-contracted projects require 51 percent of work to be performed by Detroit residents

• Installation of nearly 3,000 speed humps/cushions also planned for 2022

The City of Detroit has begun its 2022 road improvement and construction season with plans to complete $70 million in road resurfacing. This year, the Department of Public Works (DPW) will repave 65 miles of major and residential roads. It also will build three beautiful new streetscapes along key commercial corridors on East Warren, West Warren, and Rosa Parks Boulevard.

Forty miles of local residential streets, and 25 miles of major roads will be improved this year. Most residential streets will be paved by city crews, while the major roads will be paved by contractors. All contracts awarded through the City’s procurement process will require most of the work be performed by Detroit residents.

Some of the major thoroughfares planned for improvements this year include segments of Evergreen, Meyers, Mt. Elliott, Harper, West Vernor, and Oakman. Work is already underway on some projects and the construction season will continue until December weather permitting.

The City also plans $3.1 million in sidewalk replacements that will also take place in conjunction with road projects during the 2022 construction season. Funding for these projects will come from a combination of federal and state transportation funds, as well as road bond funds.

Here are details of this year’s streetscape projects:

• East Warren Streetscape – East Warren from Three Mile to Cadieux – $7.3 Million. The project will include: milling and asphalt overlay, 6-foot wide protected bike lanes, bus islands, drainage structure rehabilitation, hardscape, signage, signal upgrades, pavement markings, site furnishings, ADA accessibility, improved lighting and landscaping.
• West Warren Streetscape – West Warren from Southfield to Mettetal – $5.6 Million. The project includes a conversion from four travel lanes to three, improved safety and organization of on-street parking, replacement of sidewalks, improved pedestrian conditions (curb extensions, new mid-block pedestrian crossings with refuge islands), enhanced transit stops, signage, signal upgrades, pavement markings, site furnishings, ADA accessibility, improved lighting, and landscaping. DPW is coordinating with Wayne County to deliver this project and also extend the resurfacing of W. Warren Avenue to Greenfield Road.
• Rosa Parks Boulevard (12th Street) Streetscape – Rosa Parks between Atkinson and West Grand Blvd. – $9 Million. The project includes bike lanes and streetscape improvements and will include the following elements: cold milling and asphalt overlay, 10-foot-wide two-way protected bike path, bus islands, crossovers, drainage structure rehabilitation, hardscape, signage, signal upgrades, pavement markings, site furnishings, ADA accessibility, improved lighting, and landscaping.

For additional information and a full list of upcoming road resurfacing locations, visit the City webpage at Road improvement program (detroitmi.gov)

Volunteers inform Detroit residents of foreclosure prevention resources

Robert Day, center, and members of Better Man Outreach went door-to-door this week on Detroit’s west side, informing residents about resources to avoid foreclosure.

Volunteers from the Better Man Outreach went door-to-door on Detroit’s west side this week, informing residents of resources available to them to avoid foreclosure.

Detroiters behind on their property taxes can still tap into these resources to bring down their tax debt and avoid foreclosure. Tax foreclosure is the process by which homeowners lose their property because they didn’t pay their property taxes.

Here are some available resources for city residents who may face foreclosure next year:

• Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE): This is a poverty tax exemption for income-eligible Detroiters that exempts them from the current year’s property taxes. For more information, go to detroitmi.gov/hope.
• Detroit Tax Relief Fund: This program, funded by the Gilbert Family Foundation, can bring property tax debt down to zero. It’s for those who have already been approved for the HOPE exemption and the county’s Pay As You Stay (PAYS) program, which reduces back tax debt. For more information, go to waynemetro.org/propertytax or call the Detroit Tax Relief Fund at (313) 244-0274.
• Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF): This statewide and federally funded program is for those hit hard financially by the pandemic. Grant dollars can be used for delinquent property taxes. To learn more, go to Michigan.gov/MIHAF or call (844) 756-4423.
• Wayne County payment plans: The Wayne County Treasurer’s Office has some payment assistance plans. For more information, go to WayneCountyPaymentPlans.

City of Detroit Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Pride Celebrations with Detroit Pride Flag Raising in Spirit Plaza

Detroit Department of Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity’s (CRIO) Leisa Parham speaks at the Pride Flag Raising in Spirit Plaza on June 1.

The City of Detroit Department of Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity (CRIO), Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison and Detroit LGBTQ+ leaders kicked off Pride Month with a Pride flag raising and news conference in Spirit Plaza on Wednesday.

Pride Month commemorates the struggles and celebrates the progress of the LGBTQ+ community. The City of Detroit is raising the Pride Flag to show unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in Detroit.

The Pride Flag will wave in Detroit’s Spirit Plaza during the month of June as a testament to how Detroit and southeast Michigan is a welcoming place for LGBTQ individuals to live, work and raise families.

DDOT gives opportunities to refugees with job openings

The City of Detroit is giving job opportunities to refugees who have come from their war-torn countries. Refugees from nations such as Afghanistan are working with Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Department of Public Works (DPW), making a new life for themselves and their families.

The jobs they are performing include bus sanitation, cleaning City buses throughout the day to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

So far, the City has hired 28 refugees for the departments. Right now, they currently make around $13  an hour.  The rate is going to $15 an hour starting July 1. The City of Detroit is still in need of Coach Service Attendants and bus drivers.

Read the full story at DDOT (fox2detroit.com) For employment opportunities with the City of Detroit, go to the webpage at Apply for a Job (detroitmi.gov)

Detroit ACE partners with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to offer special, musical experience for families June 4 & 11

• The free events are part of the DSO’s efforts to strength its commitment to Detroit residents

Detroiters can get Google certificates through free program

Detroit at Work is teaming up with Google to offer free access to Google Certificates in various IT fields.

Detroit residents can now pick from six different courses and attain various Google Certificates to increase their skills and pursue a career in Information Technology.

For course listings, eligibility requirements, and info on how to take part, call (313) 962-9675, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit detroitatwork.com/google

Palmer Park Art Fair returns this weekend June 4-5 

With almost 300 acres of beautiful lawn and woodland, Palmer Park is surrounded by northwest Detroit’s most established and active neighborhoods. It’s no wonder that the 9th Annual Palmer Park Art Fair is such a highly anticipated summer event.

On Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 5 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., the park will be transformed into a family-friendly event for all to enjoy. The park is located at 910 Merrill Plaisance St. between McNichols and 7 Mile Road, west of Woodward.

The free event will be an immersive art experience for all ages to explore hundreds of original artworks of various media, including painting, sculpture, music, mixed media, and more.

Admission and parking are free. For more event information, read the full story at 9th Annual Palmer Park Art Fair (detroitmi.gov) or visit palmerparkartfair.com

Motor City Makeover moves to District 5

District 5 residents will come together to clean up and beautify neighborhoods as Motor City Makeover continues this Saturday, June 4. The City’s annual cleanup and beautification effort takes place on seven Saturdays in May and June.

Individuals and community groups must register with the City of Detroit Department of Neighborhoods (DON) in order to receive a limited supply of bags and gloves, as well as information regarding special pickups of brush, tires, bagged litter and roll-off containers. Debris will only be collected from pre-determined locations.             

• District 5 – June 4
• District 6 – June 11
• District 7 – June 18