La Joya Gardens Site Visit

In March 2023, we broke ground at La Joya Gardens, a $24 million mixed-use development in Mexicantown. It will offer 47 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments, with 42 reserved as affordable for those earning 30% to 80% of the area median income; and some 6,000 square feet of retail space and 1,500 square feet of flexible community space on the ground floor with indoor and outdoor seating that will be a welcoming space for social gatherings and special events.

Last week, I went to visit the construction site to see the progress updates and tour some of the apartments, as well as community spaces -- and I was incredibly impressed. I am so excited for this transformative project to officially open later this year!

Join us for our October Office Hours!

Stop by with any questions or concerns!

October Monthly D6 Meeting

Join Team GSR for our next
Building Power Training Series on October 24!

Register in advance as bit.ly/bpts-register.

48217 & W. Warren Projects - Community Meetings

Council Member Santiago-Romero secured funding for a slow streets project in 48217 and streetscape improvements on West Warren. Please see the flyers below for community outreach meetings in partnership with the Department of Public Works -- and meet us there!

City Council Update

• As part of the Community Benefits Agreement she helped secure alongside the residents on the Hubbard Richard Resident Association (HRRA), Council Member Santiago voted to approve the Ambassador Bridge Plaza Expansion Project. She looks forward to working with the Detroit International Bridge Company and the HRRA to continue developing the neighborhood.
  • Como parte del Acuerdo de Beneficios Comunitarios que ayudó a conseguir junto con los residentes de la Hubbard Richard Resident Association (HRRA), Concejal Santiago votó a favor de la aprobación del Proyecto de Ampliación de la Plaza del Puente Ambassador. Está deseando trabajar con la Detroit International Bridge Company y la HRRA para seguir desarrollando el barrio.
    
    
• Council Member Santiago-Romero voted to approve the rezoning request for 600 Renaissance Center. The rezoning will allow the building to be used for more purposes.
  • Miembro del Consejo Santiago-Romero votó a favor de aprobar la solicitud de recalificación de 600 Renaissance Center. La recalificación permitirá que el edificio sea utilizado para más propósitos.
    
    
• City Council approved a contract to increase funds for downpayment assistance programs for prospective homebuyers in the city. The Council Member is excited to increase homeownership amongst residents.
  • El Ayuntamiento aprobó un contrato para aumentar los fondos destinados a programas de ayuda al pago inicial para futuros compradores de vivienda en la ciudad. El Concejal está entusiasmado con la idea de aumentar la propiedad de la vivienda entre los residentes.
    
    
• The public hearing for the Healthcare Facilities Ordinance, sponsored by Council Member Santiago-Romero, will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024 at 10:30AM.
  • La audiencia pública para la Ordenanza de Instalaciones Sanitarias, patrocinada por el Concejal Santiago-Romero, se celebrará el lunes 30 de septiembre de 2024 a las 10:30AM.
    
    
• If your foreclosed home was auctioned off for a profit, you are entitled to payment. Please call (313)224-5990 for more information.
  • Si su casa embargada fue subastada para obtener un beneficio, usted tiene derecho al pago. Llame al (313)224-5990 para obtener más información.

The City of Detroit, in partnership with the SP Grace, is now accepting applications for 2024/2025 NOF-ARPA Grant Funding! This is a fantastic opportunity to advance your community projects. Learn more about NOF-ARPA by watching our overview animation here and start your application today here!

Detroit ID

After two-years of work with the Immigrant Task Force and City Administration, the Health Department has relaunched the safe, Detroit ID program. This municipal ID is available to all Detroiters, regardless of immigration status, housing status, gender identity, age, or being a returning citizen. The cost is $10. If you had one in the past and it has expired, renewals cost $10 dollars; just bring the expired Detroit ID to your appointment with a bill with your name and address to verify that you are still a Detroit resident to easily renew. Learn more here.

Also, learn more about DID partners, benefits, and discounts here.

Water Square Scholarship Fund

As part of the Community Benefits agreement for Hotel Water Square, The Water Square Scholarship Fund is pleased to offer five, $10,000 scholarships for Detroit students who reside in District 6. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Scholarship Application
• Applicant must be a high school senior or college undergraduate
• Applicant must be a resident of District 6 in the City of Detroit
• Applicant must complete an application form and submit a 500-word essay describing why applicant should be selected as an awardee of the grant
• If selected as a finalist, applicant will be requested to attend an in-person interview
• Scholarships are based on financial needs

TIMELINE

• Application submission deadline - Nov. 15, 2024
• Anticipated scholarship grant distribution - Dec. 15, 2024

Apply here!

Truck Route Implementation Efforts - Study and Survey Live!

The Southwest Truck Route Implementation Study is live! You can view the results of the study here. Please also complete this online survey to provide your feedback.

To learn more about the study, visit the website.

At-Home COVID-19 Tests

The US Department of Health & Human Services has rebooted its "4 Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests" Program. Order your free tests here: ASPR COVID-19 Testing (covidtests.gov).

Register here

American Cancer Society's Making Strides Walk

On Saturday, October 5, the American Cancer Society Making Strides fundraising walk will take place in Corktown. The walk begins and ends at PAL with 1-mile and 2.5-mile routes. 

Roads will be closed starting at 7:00am that morning and will reopen after walkers finish, which they are estimating to be around 12:00pm. Please see map and routes here.

Keep Growing Detroit Opportunities

Three Sisters  Harvest with Rosebud and Diana of Taco Hernandez - Saturday, October 12 from 1-3 PM at KGD Farm, 3100 Orleans

Learn the ancient method of nixtamalization, which unlocks the nutrients of corn, as well as the art of corn braiding to store your corn beautifully and practically. We'll also cover winter storage tips for beans and squash to help you enjoy your harvest throughout the colder months. Registration: Not required

Seed to Table Indigenous Filipino Foods w/ Danielle - Thursday, October 24 from 6-8 PM, Location TBD

In celebration of Filipino American History Month, Danielle teaches us how to make pinakbet. This is an indigenous Filipino stew and family recipe that includes eggplants, okra, squash, bitter melon, and beans. Through this offering she’ll also share indigenous Filipino food practices to honor ancestors, and focus on bahay kubo veggies that can grow both in the backyards of the Philippines and Detroit.

Learn more here!

D6 Rec Center Programming!

Job Opportunities

• City of Detroit is hiring for many positions

For more details, visit the Office of Contracting and Procurement at detroitmi.gov/ocp

Register here!

A brief visual guide to City of Detroit Departments

Click here to view departments, contact info, and key responsibilities!

A brief guide to City Council Meetings

We created a simple series of graphics to help increase awareness, civic engagement, and participation with City Council. Please click here to view the full set of slides full screen -- and share with your neighbors! They are available in English, Spanish, and Arabic! (Few details are also below.)

How to watch and participate in City Council meetings

Attend online at detroitmi.gov/Online-CC-Meeting or by phone by calling one of these numbers 929-436-2866, 312-626-6799, 669-906-6833, 253-215-8782, 301-715-8592, or 346-248-7799, and entering meeting ID 85846903626##

Agendas and related documents can be found and viewed here. (Click here to view video on how to locate Agendas and Minutes.)

To make public comment, please 'raise your hand' using the following instructions:

1. Telephone participants: Raise your hand by pressing #9
2. Web participants: Raise your hand by clicking raise hand in the application or pressing
   • Windows computer = [ALT] + [Y]
   • Apple Computers = [OPTION] + [Y]

3. Public Comment can also be submitted via email to CCPublicComment@detroitmi.gov.

For consistency, please note that for public comment: 

• You will be called on in the order in which your hand is raised
• All time limits are set by the meeting chair
• Any hands raised after the Chair ends submission of public comments will not be able to speak at the meeting

If interpretation or translation services are needed call The Department of Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity at 313-224-4950. 

Detroit Residents' Guide: A Community Resource Guide

This guide contains information on what you need to know as a Detroit resident. The information focuses on a number of subjects, which are top areas of concern for residents.

Interested in starting a block club?

Check out this Block Club Starter Kit from the Department of Neighborhoods (DONs) and this How to start a block club in Detroit guide from Outlier Media to learn more!

Contact your D6 DONs staff for more assistance:

• Eva Torres, District Manager - torrese@detroitmi.gov
• Antonio Mora-Mills, Deputy Manager - millsa@detroitmi.gov

Detroit Alerts 365

Be Safe. Know when there’s an emergency impacting your area. Would you like to receive timely emergency notifications pertaining to the city of Detroit? Detroit Alerts 365 is a new notification system that sends Detroit-specific emergency notifications through the CodeRED emergency notification system—a system used by emergency services teams and municipalities nationwide. This free system enables you to choose how you would like to receive alerts--via telephone, text message, and/or email.

Benefits: During a crisis, real-time updates can provide life-saving instructions and information.

• Notifications are on the go with you. You can receive important alerts and non-emergency notifications, based on your address directly to your cell phone, home phone, text, or email.
• You will receive notifications targeted to residents in a specific area experiencing emergency conditions.
• Your personal data is secure in the CodeRED system.

Register here!

Sign up for the Detroit Documenters email to get people-powered news on your local government delivered right to your inbox, plus updates and info from the Documenters community. Learn more about Detroit Documenters here.

Newsletter questions?
Email rogersth@detroitmi.gov

General questions or assistance?
councilmembergabriela@detroitmi.gov   |   313-224-2450

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