Friday, March 8, 2024     |     www.detroitmi.gov

Mayor: Fiscal Year 2025 Budget provides a more Vibrant, Safe, and Sustainable City for Detroiters

Mayor Mike Duggan presented his proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget and 2025-2028 financial plan to the Detroit City Council on March 7.

This represents the City of Detroit’s 11th consecutive balanced budget since exiting bankruptcy in 2014, with the Mayor attributing the success to the strong partnership with the Council. Because of the progress, Detroit has had six credit rating upgrades, a seventh would bring us to investment grade: a miraculous feat in just ten years, the Mayor said.

For the coming fiscal year beginning July 2024, the proposed budget totals $1.46 billion for General Fund activities and $2.76 billion across all City funds. Under the proposed budget, six key areas will receive increases:

• Department of Elections (40 percent) – Staffing, early voting needs
• Housing & Revitalization (40 percent) – Expanding on affordable housing options and shelters for the homeless community
• Pension/Retirees (16 percent – $170 million) an increase of $20 million from last year
• Police (13 percent) – 11 police officers and staff for mental health response; summer surge response
• DDOT (13 percent) – Hiring an additional 117 bus drivers; more buses on the road
• Fire (12 percent) – Additional ambulances and increased EMT training

The budget maintains a reserve to protect City services against downside risks. Currently, the Rainy Day Fund exceeds the five percent minimum requirement.

City Council must approve a final budget by April 8.

Mayor Duggan meets with Detroit resident Barbara I’Ron, whose home received a brand new roof as part of the Renew Detroit program.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and local leaders celebrated a significant milestone as part of the Renew Detroit home repair program. Last week, the Renew Detroit crews completed the 500th roof replacement since the program was announced in late 2021.

Mayor Duggan and Councilmember Latisha Johnson met with Barbara I’Ron at her home on Roxbury in the Outer Drive-Hayes neighborhood. The 85-year-old has lived in her home for 37 years, and recently received a much needed, brand-new roof, as the old one was allowing water damage inside her house.

Originally envisioned to provide major, non-emergency repairs for up to 1,500 homes, the Renew Detroit program was announced in September 2021, funded by $30 million from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The Renew Detroit program is now moving at a strong pace, currently completing 85-95 roof installations per month, which is expected to increase to at least 100 per month as the warmer weather arrives.  By the end of 2024, the program expects to have completed 1,400 roof installations.

The Detroit Health Department is recommending all Detroiters take precautions to protect against measles, a very serious respiratory illness that can lead to complications and even death.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can live in the air for up to two hours. One case has been confirmed in each of the following counties: Wayne, Washtenaw, and Oakland. All incidents to date are associated with international travel. The Detroit Health Department is working closely with the State of Michigan and Wayne County health officials to monitor and track cases.

In an effort to ensure Detroiters are remaining healthy, the Health Department is partnering with local providers to emphasize the importance of being prepared in the event of a measles outbreak, as well as offering the measles vaccination and communicating directly with parents to provide education.

Symptoms appear seven to 14 days following exposure to the virus, and can include cough, a fever that can be very high (up to 104 degrees and over), and a rash of itchy red spots that starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body.

The Detroit Health Department offers vaccinations for measles and all childhood vaccination series, plus COVID-19, flu, and RSV at its Immunizations Clinic at 100 Mack Avenue. Hours are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Late hours are available on the first and third Thursday of each month, from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Further details are available on our website: detroitmi.gov/health or call 313-876-IMMS (4667).

Mayor Mike Duggan joined Detroit Means Business (DMB), a coalition fostering small business growth in Detroit, to announce a $3.4-million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

The funds will create 25 Small Business Support Hubs assisting Detroit entrepreneurs. The announcement was held at the BUILD Institute, one of the locations that will house a future support hub.

The hubs, created in partnership with six local community organizations, will provide coaching, training, networking opportunities and other resources to help aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners start and grow successful companies.

There will be at least one hub in every City Council district. The first hub is slated to open in May and will be in the Northwest Activities Center on Detroit’s west side.

At the hubs, business owners can access the DMB Business Experience Center – an inbound and outbound call center to assist with troubleshooting common inquiries, navigating business programs and recommending Detroit-based business development opportunities.

Additional 200,000 feet of the Packard Plant set for demolition

The Detroit Automated Driving Systems (ADS) pilot program is looking for local artists to take part in the Design Contest to create the most eye-catching vehicle wrap.

The contest is open to all artists aged 8 and up. To enter, scan the

QR Code or visit: bit.ly/DetroitADSDesignChallenge.

Submissions will be accepted until March 15. The winner will be announced on April 1. Questions? Email: support@maymobility.co

Mayor, leaders celebrate Pensole Lewis College’s new footwear design studio

Mayor Mike Duggan joined local leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the Pensole Lewis College (PLC) Detroit’s new Foot Locker Footwear Creation Studio at 200 Walker St.

The new design studio offers a level of access and opportunity that is unmatched in the design field through shoemaking workshops, sample making services, small footwear production capabilities and more.

The new studio was founded with the support of the Gilbert Family Foundation, which provided $10 million over five years as part of its ongoing efforts to provide Detroit residents with pathways to job opportunities in high-demand industries.

City Council approves $3-billion project with health care, commercial and housing developments

The Detroit City Council approved a $3-billion investment by Henry Ford Health, Michigan State University, Tom Gores and the Detroit Pistons last week, marking a historic investment in health, health education, housing and recreation in the city of Detroit.

The project includes:

• Major expansion of Henry Ford Hospital with a new patient tower, expanded emergency department, support services, and utility infrastructure
• New cutting-edge research center for Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University Health Sciences
• Creation of over 600 housing units and community space in two new residential/mixed-use buildings and the conversion of One Ford Place to a residential/mixed-use building. Planned residential housing will include an affordable housing component
• Two new parking structures with about 2,000 spaces
• New public recreation and green spaces

Health Department updates guidance to protect against COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses

The Detroit Health Department is recommending all Detroiters take the following steps to help stay healthy from all forms of respiratory illness, including COVID-19, flu and RSV.

The recommendations follow guidance issued by the CDC that unites and streamlines recommendations for avoiding a range of common respiratory viral illnesses:

• Stay up to date with vaccinations to protect against serious illness, including vaccines that prevent flu, COVID-19 and RSV if eligible
• Continue to practice safe hygiene, including hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes (in arm), and disinfecting high-touch surfaces frequently
• Take steps to breathe cleaner air: open a window, use an air purifier, and gather outdoors when possible

The Detroit Health Department provides COVID-19 testing at 100 Mack Avenue, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Further details are available at detroitmi.gov/health.

Detroit Fire Department adds six EMS vehicles, response times improving

The Detroit Fire Department (DFD) added six new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) vehicles into service as part of its continued efforts to serve the community and improve response times.

During the presentation of the new vehicles last week, Detroit Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms reported the average response time had improved to seven minutes and 30 seconds, down from an average of seven minutes and 57 seconds.

With the new vehicles, the Department aims to continue improving response times.

Mayor joins Senator Stabenow for Matrix Center renovation project announcement

Mayor Duggan joined U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and local leaders in celebrating the groundbreaking for a $2-million renovation project at the Matrix Center.

The renovations will enhance the capacity of the Matrix Center to serve over 20,000 local individuals and families annually, including the 1,600 children enrolled in its Head Start program.

Matrix is upgrading its facility to provide multipurpose use for the community and support small businesses with getting the resources they need to build on their vision, grow their business and thrive in Detroit. The renovations are expected to be completed later this year.

The City of Detroit’s Housing Services Office (DHS) is expanding its scope to include direct assistance and referrals for several additional services, including utility assistance, transportation, and social services.

Those services now will be managed through the Detroit Housing Services Office, which includes the Housing Resource HelpLine call center and a case management team, who assess resident needs and connect them to the network of services and programs designed for each specific need, including Detroit at Work for job openings, training and supportive service-related needs.

The goal is to streamline access to vital services, provide case management when needed. The DHS Housing Resource HelpLine staff of more than 100 is ready to assist residents at 866-313-2520.