Milan Park in northwest Detroit shines with more than $700K in improvements
Deputy Mayor Melia Howard joined the Parks and Recreation Division (DPRD) and City leaders to celebrate the completion of major improvements to Milan Park, located in northwest Detroit near Emerson Elementary-Middle School in the Evergreen-Outer Drive neighborhood.
Updates include a second playground, renovations to the soccer field, new combo soccer/football goals, walkways, softball field, benches, picnic tables, BBQ grills, fitness equipment and new entrance off Evergreen Road.
In 2023, with City of Detroit funding secured, park planners engaged with neighborhood residents, families of Emerson students and teachers to gather input on what they wanted to see at Milan Park.
The final design plan incorporated the feedback received and translated into a park that everyone can enjoy.
The Greening of Detroit funded and planted 93 trees in the area: 30 trees in Milan Park, 59 trees at Emerson School along the park border and four trees in the neighborhood.
The City of Detroit, with the help of several generous sponsors, has renovated more than 200 parks since 2015.
Motor City Match awards over $450K to new Detroit-based businesses, wraps up CVI track
The City of Detroit and Detroit Economic Growth Corporation awarded over $450,000 in grants to 13 new local businesses in Motor City Match’s (MCM) 28th round this week.
This round also included the final phase of the Community Violence Intervention (CVI) track, which awarded $55,000 in grants to three businesses led by individuals committed to positive change.
The CVI track is a partnership between the City and six community violence intervention groups supporting entrepreneurs mentored by these organizations. The track specifically empowers returning citizens and other individuals to build sustainable businesses and create lasting change in their neighborhoods.
In total, Round 28 is supporting 13 new brick-and-mortar businesses located across 13 Detroit neighborhoods.
This round features a dynamic mix of businesses, ranging from restaurants and cafes to a childcare center, fitness facility and a global empowerment brand. The grants continue Motor City Match’s commitment to supporting diverse entrepreneurs and neighborhood growth.
Since 2015, MCM has awarded grants to more than 2,140 businesses, resulting in 181 new brick-and-mortar businesses operating throughout Detroit.More information is available at MotorCityMatch.com.
Detroit Youth can still sign up for summer jobs program through 2025 GDYT Application Portal
Detroit youth have until May 16 to apply for Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT), the Detroit summer jobs program for youth.
GDYT is a citywide training and employment program for young adults between 14 and 24.
The program seeks to provide over 8,000 youth summer employment opportunities in partnership with Metro Detroit corporations, non-profit organizations, municipal departments, local businesses, and the philanthropic community.
Since the program's launch in 2015, over 79,600 summer work experiences have been made available to young Detroiters.
The program has become an invaluable resource for young Detroiters as they approach the end of high school and look to move into post-secondary education or a career. For older youth, the ability to gain experience across a range of industries allows them to make better-informed career choices.
Funding for GDYT every year comes from several sources, including the City of Detroit, employers, foundations, and many individual private donors.
Take Part! Chat with the DFD and learn how to keep yourself and your family safe this year. Join the meeting here.
Fire Department launches Self Re-Inspection Program to assist small business owners
The Detroit Fire Department (DFD) announced the launch of its Small Business Self Re-Inspection Program, designed to make it easier for business owners to address and clear minor fire code violations.
This innovative program provides eligible small businesses with the resources needed to conduct self re-inspections, ensuring compliance with fire safety regulations while reducing the need for follow-up visits from fire inspectors.
The program is open to low-hazard small businesses under 2,000 square feet that do not have complex fire safety systems requiring specialized inspection. Business owners will have access to a digital checklist.
Some examples of violations that may be corrected through the new Self Re-Inspection program are: exit signs, electrical issues, fire extinguishers and fire extinguisher placement.
For more information about the Small Business Self Re-Inspection Program, visit detroitmi.gov/firemarshal.
Detroit Demolition Week returns with interactive events to engage, educate, and inspire residents
The City of Detroit Construction and Demolition Department announced the return of Detroit Demolition Week with a variety of activities from April 7-11.
This annual event is dedicated to educating, engaging, and empowering residents by providing insight into the City’s demolition efforts and their role in transforming neighborhoods — building transparency and dismantling misconceptions.
Detroit Demo Week includes a series of interactive events designed to foster community trust, promote neighborhood revitalization, and encourage civic involvement.
Highlights include Donuts & Demo Day, a career & resource fair, a community forum on the demolition process, and the spring kickoff of Cruisin’ With Counts (LaJuan Counts, Construction and Demolition Department Director). Residents are encouraged to attend and be part of Detroit’s transformation.
Residents are encouraged to attend and take part in learning about the City's demolition efforts. Learn more about the department here.
Mayor Duggan delivers final State of the City address at new Hudson's Detroit development downtown
Mayor Duggan delivered his final State of the City address March 25 at the Hudson's Detroit development, marking a 12-year tenure which improved City services, jobs, housing & public safety.
During the address, Duggan focused on how Detroit has improved under his administration, especially with less blight and fewer abandoned houses.
The Mayor also said the City has $550 million in reserves to protect Detroit against future downturns, and discussed a decrease in property taxes, including a 3-mill tax cut that is slated to go into effect July 1.
Other topics the Mayor highlighted were: increase of $700M in home wealth; jobs brought to the city; crime reduction efforts; redevelopment of the Renaissance Center; revitalization of the riverfront; and improved service to the homeless.
The event gave the public its first look inside the new development at the Hudson's block, a $1.4-billion mixed use development on the site of the former Hudson's Department Store.
Latin American restaurant & coffee shop marks Motor City Match’s 181st business opening
Deputy Mayor Howard and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) celebrated the new Encarnacion and La Fonda Street, a dual-concept restaurant and coffee shop that brings Latin American flavors to West Village.
This event marks the 181st brick-and-mortar business opened by Motor City Match (MCM).
The location features Encarnacion - Detroit, a coffee shop, while the main restaurant, La Fonda Street - Detroit, offers staple dishes from across Latin America.
Located at 8016 Kercheval Ave., the business is supported by a $65,000 grant. The funding contributed to installing a commercial kitchen hood, building an ADA-compliant elevator and various furnishings.
Detroit Fire Department hosts second Fire Leadership Roundtable
The Detroit Fire Department (DFD) hosted its second Fire Leadership Roundtable to foster collaboration among fire service leaders, emergency response professionals, and public safety officials from across metro Detroit and Windsor last week.
Building upon the success of the inaugural event in 2024, this year's roundtable engaged participants in in-depth discussions on fire service innovation, emergency management, and interagency collaboration.
The success of this year's roundtable underscores the department's dedication to continuous improvement and innovation in fire service leadership.
City Council President Pro Tem James Tate launched ProtectYourCrown, a campaign that highlights the importance of maintaining one’s mental health and addressing concerns without shame or fear.
In partnership with Pro Tem Tate’s Office, the City of Detroit Health Department is also granting full access to the online Community Mental Health Attitudes Survey.
All the information obtained from the 19-question survey is confidential. Survey responses will provide a picture of the mental health needs of Detroiters and guide the City’s efforts to obtain resources that have the greatest impact.
All Detroit women who are pregnant, and anyone who takes care of an infant up to age one, can receive free transportation to and from prenatal doctor visits, plus one full year of postpartum visits and pediatric visits for the baby, through the RidestoCare program.
The RidestoCare service is available Monday through Saturday to healthcare providers located in Detroit and surrounding areas (up to five miles outside the city).
