Friday, March 22, 2024     |     www.detroitmi.gov

Mayor Duggan joined City officials and the Hargrove family for the reveal of the Jason Hargrove Transit Center rendering.

When it opens in May, the beautiful new transit center at the former Michigan State Fairgrounds will be named the Jason Hargrove Transit Center, Mayor Mike Duggan announced this week.

During the announcement, the Mayor was joined by DDOT Director G. Michael Staley, City Council members, as well as Jason’s wife, Desha, and their children.

Hargrove was a bus driver for the Detroit Department of Transportation at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 when he posted a video about a passenger coughing on him. The video, which included Hargrove urging members of the public to be more respectful and considerate toward bus drivers, amassed millions of views. Ten days later, on April 1, Jason died from COVID-19, leaving behind his wife and six children.

With this honor, Hargrove will be in the company of Rosa Parks, the civil rights icon whom Detroit’s other transit center is named after.

Detroit and City Walls announces DCLEATED – a colossal cleat art installation for 2024 NFL Draft

The City of Detroit, Detroit Medical Center, Visit Detroit & SpaceLab Detroit are gearing up for the 2024 NFL Draft with a unique and impactful art installation project: DCLEATED.

In football when players make a big impact hit, it is called a de-cleating. This project is working to do the same, using local artists to paint huge cleat sculptures and then auctioning them off after the draft to benefit charities. These 20 colossal cleats will have an immense impact on the community.

The cleats, fabricated by Detroit-based Prop Art Studios and clear coated by Detroit-based Double Jay’s Collision, served as canvases for 20 Detroit artists to unleash their creativity. The artists, selected through a competitive open call process, partnered with a local non-profit with a mission they are passionate about, integrating their story and message into their cleat design. During April, these eye-catching creations will be prominently displayed in and around  downtown, immersing visitors in the artistic spirit of Detroit and the causes it champions.

Mayor Mike Duggan has named Tepfirah Rushdan the City’s new Director of the Office of Sustainability. She will replace current director Jack Akinlosotu, who leaves on April 12 for a new opportunity, continuing his work in climate change and sustainability.

Rushdan has served as Detroit’s first-ever Director of Urban Agriculture since September, working to encourage urban farming by improving policies, streamlining process and reducing red tape.

A longtime community farming activist and resident of Green Acres, Rushdan previously served as co-director of Keep Growing Detroit, an organization that helps to support urban farming through educational programs, and by growing and distributing starter crops to community gardens and households to encourage the consumption of locally-grown fruits and vegetables.

In her new role, Rushdan will lead and coordinate the City’s priority action steps within the four main goals of the Detroit Climate Strategy.

Homeowners and renters in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe and surrounding counties with uninsured or underinsured damage caused by the August 24 – 26, 2023 severe storms are encouraged to apply for FEMA disaster assistance. The deadline to apply for assistance is Monday, April 8, 2024.

Residents can apply for FEMA assistance online or in person:

• Go online here, use the FEMA mobile app or call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
• Visit the Disaster Recovery Center at Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort St., from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

If you already made repairs or started your recovery, you can still apply. If you have received a letter stating that you are ineligible for FEMA assistance, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot expect any help from FEMA. It’s important to read your FEMA decision letter carefully.

Residents can visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the FEMA Helpline if they have questions, need help with the process or want to file an appeal.

Detroit tenants and landlords can register at detroitmi.gov/rental.

Detroit A.D.S. vehicle wrap design contest open until March 29

Showcase your creativity by crafting a design that infuses the essence of Detroit in an eye-catching vehicle wrap for the Detroit Automated Driving Systems (A.D.S.) pilot program. The challenge is open to all artists aged 8 and up.

To enter, scan or visit: bit.ly/DetroitADSDesignChallenge 

• Submission dates: Open until March 29
• Winner announced: April 1
• Questions? Send email to support@maymobility.com

Residents can sign up for Detroit Alerts 365 to receive emergency alerts

City residents can sign up for Detroit Alerts 365, which sends Detroit-specific emergency notifications through the CodeRED emergency notification system. This free system allows individuals to choose how they would like to receive alerts – via telephone, text message, and/or email.

There are several benefits to enrolling in Detroit Alerts 365:

• Notifications are on the go with individuals, who receive important alerts and non-emergency notifications, based on their address directly to your cell phone, home phone, text, or email
• Individuals will receive notifications targeted to residents in a specific area experiencing emergency conditions
• Personal data is secure in the CodeRED system
  
  

In addition to registering for Detroit Alerts 365, residents can download the CodeRED Mobile Alert App to receive emergency alerts based on your current location.

To register, go to detroitalerts365.org or text DetroitAlerts365 to 99411.

Mayor, local leaders unveil new Sachse Construction Skilled Trades Career Center

Mayor Duggan joined community partners in celebrating the unveiling of the new Sachse Construction Skilled Trades Career Center. Sachse Construction, in partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) of Southeastern Michigan, unveiled the newest high-tech exhibit within JA Finance Park, 577 Larned St.

The new center will provide thousands of students per year from across Southeast Michigan an opportunity to experience skilled trades, through an interactive virtual reality (VR) experience and training simulations.

By providing students with access to cutting-edge technology and a wealth of information, the goal is to inspire them to pursue career pathways in the construction industry, including carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC technicians, and more.

New data shows violent crime fell        in areas served by City’s ShotStoppers groups

Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison met with neighborhood partners taking part in Detroit’s Shotstopper community violence intervention program.

Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison joined community partners to announce new data from Detroit’s ShotStoppers community violence intervention (CVI) program showed that four of the six CVI Zones saw significant reductions in homicides and non-fatal shootings during the program’s second quarter.

While many cities around the country provide funding for CVI programs, what makes the City of Detroit so unique is its performance-based approach that measures and rewards outcomes.

Based on the results so far, the City will extend the program for another year for the four groups that achieved significant declines in their second quarter, Bettison said.

DEGC relaunches Green Grocer Project to increase fresh food access for Detroiters

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) is relaunching the Green Grocer Project (GGP) to increase walkable access to fresh and healthy food options across Detroit neighborhoods.

After a brief hiatus, the program has received renewed funding from the City of Detroit to assist local entrepreneurs and businesses in opening and sustaining small-format grocery stores in communities.

Businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to open new grocery stores from the ground up or expand food offerings at existing retail locations are encouraged to apply.

To learn more or apply for assistance, visit degc.org or https://bit.ly/ggpgrant24.

Mayor Duggan congratulates owner Katrina Belin at the grand opening of the new Pink Diamond beauty mall in Detroit’s University District.

Mayor, DWIHN celebrate new Health Network administrative building

Mayor Duggan joined members of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) to celebrate the grand opening of a new administrative building for the health network.

Built in 1913, the building was originally the Utley branch of the Detroit Public Library, and now serves as a workspace for executive, administrative and program staff.

For more info on how to benefit from DWIHN services, visit dwihn.org.

Over 40 newly certified DDOT bus drivers graduate

The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) graduated one of its largest classes in history this month. A total of 41 newly certified Transportation Equipment Operators will begin picking up passengers across Detroit.

These operators completed months of classroom and on-the-road training before receiving their official operator badges. This large graduation class comes as the Department works to expand its driving force.

DDOT continues to hire additional operators to reach its target of 600 drivers. DDOT is also recruiting mechanics to fill a need in that area.