City of Detroit reminds residents of final major push
to collect flood-damaged items

The City of Detroit Department of Public Works (DPW) is making a last call and final push to clean up neighborhoods of storm and flood-related debris. Now through September 3, residents should place flood-damaged items only at the curb of their residence. On September 4, bi-weekly pickup resumes, along with enforcement for putting bulk out more than 24 hours in advance of regular bulk collection day. 

So far, more than 60-million pounds of bulk storm and flood related debris have been removed from neighborhoods.

If citizens have flood-damaged items they can't get to the curb by September 3, they may call (313) 876-0004 or use the Improve Detroit app under Bulk Pickup to request curbside pickup.

Quick facts residents should know:

• Now through September 3, DPW will sweep through the city to remove remaining bulk debris.
• Beginning September 4, enforcement of bulk restrictions and fines will begin.
• Bulk items should be no more than 1,000 pounds and not exceed two cubic yards in volume.
• All items must be placed curbside of the residence they were removed from and NOT at any other location.
• All doors must be removed from appliances prior to setting them out for collection.
• Construction debris, household hazardous waste, flammables, explosives, paint, batteries, fuel, oil, tires, car parts, needles, radioactive materials and chemicals are NOT considered bulk items.
• After Sept. 3, residents must call (313) 876-0004, or use Improve Detroit App under Bulk Pickup to request curbside pickup.

To read the full release, go here.

Correct way to to dispose of bulk debris

Incorrect way to dispose of bulk debris 

Open Meetings Act restrictions issued
due to rise in COVID-19 cases

Detroit Chief Public Health Officer reinstates OMA order through December 31, 2021,
in order to slow the transmission of COVID-19

In response to the growing risk to public health posed by a rise in cases linked to the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19, Detroit's Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair issued an emergency public health order reinstating restrictions to the Open Meetings Act. This order, in effect beginning September 1, 2021, is aimed at reducing transmission of COVID-19 and all variants. The order states public meetings of governmental bodies subject to the Open Meetings Act will be held remotely until December 31, 2021.

The order states that action is necessary to reduce transmission of COVID-19 and to protect the public’s health in Detroit, citing the following facts and findings:

• Detroit’s community vaccination rate is currently at 42 percent, well below the 70 percent level required to achieve community immunity that is considered necessary to limit spread of the virus.
• This remains a concern as the spread of COVID-19 is resulting in emerging and more dangerous variants, such as Delta, becoming higher proportionally through the interactions of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, all of whom can become infected with COVID-19.
• The City of Detroit currently is experiencing a substantial rate of transmission of the COVID-19 virus, up from moderate.

A copy of the order can be found here.

City recommends indoor masks for everyone including those fully vaccinated to mitigate the spread of the Delta variant

The city of Detroit's level of community transmission for COVID-19 has increased to substantial from moderate.  Therefore, the Detroit Health Department is recommending that everyone - - including those who are fully vaccinated - - wear a mask indoors in order to maximize protection from the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19.

Detroit is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The new guidance on mask-wearing from the Detroit Health Department follows similar guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Free COVID-19 Testing Still Available
Free drive-through COVID-19 tests are available at the Joseph Walker Williams Community Center, 8431 Rosa Parks Blvd., Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. for Detroiters and residents of Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland. No appointment is necessary.

Online Appointments Now Available
Residents also may schedule vaccination appointments using their mobile device directly from the Detroit Health Department website: www.detroitmi.gov/health.

Mayor Duggan announces James E. White as his selection
for permanent Detroit Police Chief

Mayor Mike Duggan announced James E. White as his selection for permanent Chief of Police for the Detroit Police Department, pending a final decision by the City Council. Chief White has served as Interim Chief since June 1, 2021.

“Anyone in the city who has watched the way James White has handled himself in the last two months feels very good about where the Detroit police department is headed,” said Mayor Duggan.

Chief White said he is extremely honored and humbled to have been nominated, and thanked the community for its continued support. White, born and raised in Detroit, is a 24-year veteran at the Detroit Police Department. He served as Assistant Chief since 2012 and in leadership positions for most of his tenure.

“Our community deserves excellence in policing,” said White. “We’re experiencing a 20-percent overall crime reduction and are on the right path to eradicating some of the violence we’re seeing.”

Follow the link to watch the press conference: Mayor Duggan's Chief of Police press conference.

U-M Economic Forecast shows Detroit’s employment recovery from COVID exceeding expectations

The City of Detroit, in partnership with the University of Michigan, released its Economic Outlook for Detroit through 2026, which looks at employment, unemployment and wage trends and projections. The forecast predicts a stronger recovery in Detroit than statewide, supported by several large development projects.

According to the study, which looks at data through June 2021:

• Unemployment among Detroiters has already recovered to approximately 3 percent below its pre-pandemic level.
• Detroit’s unemployment rate, which spiked to more than 38 percent in May 2020 and averaged 22 percent for a year, has declined dramatically. By contrast, Detroit’s unemployment rate so far this year has averaged 9.9 percent and registered at 8.5 percent in June.
• Detroit’s unemployment rate is projected to average 9.5 percent this year and to decline gradually to 6.9 percent by 2026.

Review the study here.

Mayor Duggan and community celebrate

$2-million transformation of 78-acre O’Hair Park

• Nearly 80-acre park in dense residential area transformed from largely open land into multi-use park with new sports fields, shelters, walking path and other amenities
• Project has been years in the making with extensive community input
• O’Hair is largest of more than 150 neighborhood parks City has renovated since 2014

One of Detroit’s largest neighborhood-based parks has been completely renovated thanks to a $2-million investment by the City that was driven by several years of community input and engagement. Residents in the O’Hair Park community are rejoicing after a multi-year plan took their 78-acre neighborhood park from desolate to developed, with an array of sports fields and courts, new shelters and equipment, as well as new site amenities.

The park, which was largely underutilized open land, now boasts the following amenities for residents in the surrounding community to take advantage of: 

• 8 soccer fields
• 2 softball fields
• 2 Detroit Pistons basketball courts
• 1 baseball field
• 1 Mile Walking Path
• 2 Picnic Shelters
• Fitness Equipment
• 40-car parking lot
• New comfort station
• Playground enhancement
• Other site amenities include benches, picnic tables and bike racks

See more of the efforts that went into the renovation of O'Hair Park at: The Community Driven Transformation of O'Hair Park 

Read the news release about O'Hair Park improvements here.

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