Members of the Detroit Indigenous Peoples Alliance received copies of the resolution that Detroit City Council Passed in 2019 that renames Detroit ito its Anishinaabe name "Waawiyatanong" on Indigenous Peoples Day. The Indigenous people of the Detroit area include the Ojibwe, Odawa, Bodewadmi, Wyandot, and other tribes residing in what is now Canada and parts of the United States, including Michigan.

Council Approvals 

• Sale of the Harry Downey Playfield (3090 Humboldt) to Fountain Court Co-Op. Fountain Court will continue to maintain the park space and add park equipment. 
  
  
• The Michigan Department of Natural Resources awarded the City of Detroit General Services Department with a grant of $300,000 for renovations at Romanowski Park. This grant will cover 60% of the park renovations, and the City is required to cash match 40%. 
  
  
• Termination of the Thysseen Steel Group Project Plan from 1997. The land, including the former Atkinson Playfield, has now been transferred to the City of Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (DBRA) in preparation for a "land assembly project" for potential manufacturing and industrial uses.
  
  • Council Member Castañeda-López advocated for language in the land transfer agreement to include commitments to buffering to mitigate potential environmental effects of industry
  • The former recreational space, which has not been maintained by the City for many years, will be replaced by a new park as required by state law. We will share updates from this park planning process as it gets under way.

Upcoming Public Hearings

• [October 31] Public Hearing for the Hostels Ordinance (sponsored by Council Member Castañeda-López). This ordinance would add specific licensing requirements for hostels in the City. 11:30AM, Council Committee Room (13th floor), Coleman A. Young Municipal Center. 

Give your opinion on truck traffic! The City of Detroit is conducting a truck study in Southwest Detroit  Use this website to add feedback (including pictures, locations you've spotted trucks, and descriptions) about trucks in your neighborhood!

Attend the LAST community meetings next week: 

The Detroit Land Bank Authority hosts monthly "Office Hours" on the first Tuesday of the month at Patton Recreation Center (2301 Woodmere).    Visit https://buildingdetroit.org/ for more information on DLBA programs and resources!

The Office of the Ombudsman is available to provide insight and handle complaints related to every city of Detroit department or agency. Ombudsman Office Hours  8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday          Call                              (313) 224-6000                                         Email                           ombudsman@detroitmi.gov                 Walk-in                        2 Woodward Ave., Suite 114

• [October 15] Commercial Property Workshop - get basics of zoning, non-traditional ending institutions, City resources and more! 9AM-5PM, Ford Resource and Engagement Center Eastside (15491 Maddelein St)

• [Oct. 19] Fall Festival at Kemeny Rec Center! There will be pumpkin painting, cider and donuts, activities, costume giveaways, bike repairs and haircuts! All free while supplies last. 10AM-2PM. 
  
  
• [Oct. 23] Learn about winter driving safety at the 3rd Precinct Workshop Wednesdays! Contact NPO Dorsey for details at 313-643-9865. 6-7:45, 2875 W Grand Blvd. 
  
  
• [Oct. 24] Understand the Public Charge Law for Immigrants at Congress of Community. An attorney will give a presentation and answer questions. Dinner will be served. RSVP at 313-914-5315. 6-7:30PM, 8638 W. Vernor Hwy. 
  
  
• [Oct. 24] Celebrate a legendary Detroit Icon, Cliff Russel, a veteran journalist and community activist! Tickets are $50 - evening includes dinner, program & music. Buy tickets here. 6-9PM, Detroit Historical Museum (5401 Woodward Ave). 
  
  

Check out these other Halloween and Day of the Dead Activities this month! [Oct. 19] Corktown's Annual Children's Pumpkin Festival  [Oct.24] The Great Pumpkin Plunge [Oct. 26] Día de los Muertos Presentation at the DIA! [Oct. 27] Trunk or Treat Fall Festival, Detroit Southwest Pride  [Oct. 29] Trunk or Treat at American Indian Health and Family Services  [Oct.31] Day of the Dead Celebration at Clark Park  [Oct. 31] Patton's Pumpkin Patch Party [Oct. 31] Third Precinct Trunk or Treat, 4-7PM at 2875 W Grand Blvd  [Oct. 31] Sharon Missionary Baptist Church Halloween Party  [Oct. 31] Michigan Central Comes Alive! 4-8PM. Haunted house at 2826 Bagley, Trick or Treat at Vernor between Ford Engagement Resource Center and Michigan Central Station. Scary stories at 1907 Michigan Ave.  [Nov. 2] Honoring Our Ancestors: Ghost Supper & Día de los Muertos

Are you interested in a career in landscaping?  Attend the General Services Department's networking event! Available positions are: - park maintenance worker - park maintenance sub-foreman - park maintenance foreman - park maintenance supervisor  You can submit an application before the event here!  See flyer to the left for the event locations.

Gordie Howe International Bridge Updates 

The construction of the Michigan Interchange work for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project requires the long-term closure on three I-75 road bridges: Springwells Street, Livernois Avenue, and Clark Street will begin, Monday, October 21, 2019. These closures are anticipated to be in place until late 2020. 

The three road bridges are being closed in preparation for upcoming demolition and reconstruction work to begin in early November.

Vehicles can continue to exit and enter I-75 in both directions at the Springwells Street, Livernois Avenue and Clark Street off-ramps and on-ramps. The West Fisher Service Drives between Springwells Street and Clark Street, on both sides of the Interstate, will remain open from October 21 through the weekend selected for bridge demolitions.

Several nearby I-75 road bridges will remain open for the duration of the closures including Green Street, Waterman Street, Dragoon Street, Junction Avenue and West Grand Boulevard.

Additional information regarding this work is available here. Stay updated on all construction activity and road closures via the Gordie Howe International Bridge website.

Are you between 16-21? You can enroll in the SER Detroit Learning Academy!   By participating in the academy, you can expect: - state certified instructors and tutors - stipends and incentives (including transportation being covered) - work-based learning positions - career coaching - support services Questions? Call 313-945-5200, option 2

Dix Bridge over Rouge River to close for repairs beginning Oct. 14
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• The Dix Bridge over the Rouge River will closed for structural repairs beginning Monday Oct. 14, 2019 for 5 weeks. 
• During the construction closure, commuters should use the following detours to get around the bridge:
  •  If traveling northbound on Dix Avenue, use the detour by taking eastbound Oakwood Street to Fort Street (M-85), continue straight onto northbound Fort Street (M-85) to Miller Road, then turn left and take westbound Miller Road to Dix Avenue.
  •  If traveling southbound on Dix Avenue, use the detour by taking eastbound Miller Road to Fort Street (M-85), then turn right and take southbound Fort Street (M-85) to Oakwood Street, continue straight onto westbound Oakwood Street to Dix Avenue.

Parents of the Detroit Community Public Schools District - become involved with the Parent Academy! The goal of Parent Academy is to provide parents the tools and skills to build capacity and confidence to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. All classes are free and offered in convenient locations to meet parents where they are. Click here to see the course catalog!

Questions? Email sanchezl@detroitmi.gov or call 313-224-1204.