Councilmembers formally terminated a $510 million development plan to replace the former Uniroyal tire factory site on the Detroit Riverfront.
Detroit! 3/11 at 10 AM I live cover Det City Council for @detdocumenters.bsky.social #DETdocumenters &
@bridgedet313.bsky.social
@chalkbeat.org
@freep.com
@metrotimes.com
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@outliermedia.org
@planetdetroit.org
@wdet.bsky.social
@wxyzdetroit.bsky.social
07:17 AM Mar 11, 2025 CDT
Meeting is held at Coleman A Young Municipal Center (CAYMC), 2 Woodward Ave in room 1340 (Erma L Henderson Auditorium). If you plan to attend live, remember CAYMC has security procedures and list of items you cannot bring in the facility (think TSA at the airport)
Lots of options to attend if you canât get there in person! These are all listed, along with the agenda, here đ
dethttps://detroitmi.gov/government/city-clerk/city-council-agendas-documents
Ok, 10:04 AMâroll call with quorum and they are in session! #DETdocumenters @detdocumenters.bsky.social
Starting wit a presentation from DPD (?) ⌠hmmm ⌠donât see this on agenda
Speaking about recruiting for DPD, noting outreach programs and public presentations & career fairs
Gabriela Santiago-Romero asks about numbers of DPD positions held by DetroitersâŚrep provides most recent numbers
They are now moving to second presentation, which is on the state of the redistricting processâŚdo I have the right agenda ? đđ
I missed slide on criteria of redistricting processâŚbig emphasis on avoiding political weightingâŚpoints to lots of public input and results being mathematically very fair along partisan lines
Here is new map for house of rep electionsâŚpretty close to City Council Districts
Partisan metrics for new house map & its proposed alternativesâŚstill leans GOP but better the 2021 lines and is at least âin the realm of fairâ
Okay, we are back to regular agendaâŚthe presentations were apparently part of public commentsđ¤ˇââď¸. We are now having the list of the budget committees, who is reporting, etc.
HeyâI did have the wrong agenda đThe link to correct one is below. We are at public comments and first person getting soft reprimand following her time, reminder for everyone to be polite/respectful
dethttps://detroitmi.gov/government/city-clerk/city-council-agendas-documents
Second person to speak urges Council to repurpose RenCen Towers proposed for destructionâŚpoints to beginning of RenCen hosting public/alternative education there
Both of the first speakers were upset about funds directed to restoration of old Detroit Chinatown and insist funds should be made available for same in old Black Bottom
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2025/03/11/community-members-unite-to-redesign-detroits-historic-chinatown/
Another person addresses council regarding her letter sent to them with four proposals to update Detroit internal processesâŚlists them off and asks how she can get a meeting. Council notes the letter was received, suggests meeting possible
Next person asking about solar farm project and impacts on private land ownership and use restrictions up to receiving a letter from Detroit legal department threatening her losing her propertyâŚsays that she reached out to Fred Durhal and matter was sent to legal department
Background on solar farm issues can be found here from article by @danaafana.bsky.social đ
wwwhttps://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2024/09/27/detroit-files-eminent-domain-lawsuits-solar-farm-project/75378486007/
Gentleman from Warriors on Wheels speaking about upcoming event and additional events â you can learn more about the organization here đ
wowhttps://wow4metrodetroit.com/
Next person up was invited by previous speaker to testify about his experiences riding Detroit bussesâŚhe spent lots of time in New York and says Detroit has problem with transportation workers treating riders very poorly
They move to public comment from online participantsâŚ28 hands raised!
First online person expresses disappointment with council for not fighting hard enough for retireesâŚsays that they should have asked more probing questions during DPD presentation and says more DPD employees live outside City than in 2011
Next person starts with disappointment over recent closing of shelter over zoning issuesâŚbelieve this is what he refers to
https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/detroit-shelter-forced-to-close-over-zoning-issue/
He was also for keeping the RenCenâŚnext person concerned about proposed demolition of two RenCen towers, with environmental protection being top of mind
Person from Detroit Disability Power up to advocate for budget priorities, says organization always open to discuss specifics
https://www.detroitdisabilitypower.org/
Caller pushes back on call for civility as she feels council is not civil
Next caller seconds the push back on civility from council and notes upcoming police recruiting/awareness event, March 15, at WSU
https://detroitmi.gov/events/youth-police-chiefs-symposium
New caller expresses dismay over proposal to demolish RenCen towers; wants participatory budget (this is due to flooding issues); wants bus shelters in SW Detroit (commends Santiago-Romero for having this in her priorities)
Another caller wants all of council gone except for Angela Whitfield-Calloway
Caller from Detroiters or Tax Justice speaks for reducing library administration costs and push for real affordable housing
https://detroitersfortaxjustice.com/
Person calling in with concerns about a good neighbor plan commitment relating to, I believe, a marijuana distribution centerâŚhere is info on good neighbor plan in Detroit
https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2024-11/Good%20Neighbor%20Plan%20Informational%202024.pdf
Next caller announces press conference on 313 Day about RenCen, stating it should not be demolished, pointing that we bailed out GM
Final caller points out need for affordable housing and has some comments on Agenda item 18.14 but was unclear on specifics of what he was advocating
Okay, looks like item 17 is being tabledâŚsome questions/uncertainty from council members and understanding they are heading to budget meetings so need to have their ducks in order
18.1âTo Provide Services to Help Obtain Telecommunication Services and Connectivity for City Residentsâ is removed from the agenda, I believe over cost concerns but not sure
18.2 is up for discussionâTo Provide an Increase of Funds to Continue Litigation Services for Reverse Conviction Lawsuitsâis approved as are next 11 resolutions
18.14âImplementation of the Extension of the DROP Program for Members of Detroit Police Command Officers Associationâis postponed.
Moving to 19.1 & 19.2âthese are TERMINATIONS of Brownfield status, 1)Termination of the East Jefferson at Belle Isle Site within the East Riverfront District Brownfield Redevelopment Plan & 2)Termination of the Stone Soap Brownfield Redevelopment Plan
On to section 20 of agenda, Public Health & Safety Standing CommitteeâŚSantiago-Romero has 14 items, 9 blight funding
20.13 is the big oneâ100% PLD Decommissioning Funding â Maintenance and Repair Service of Underground Cables for PLD Assetsâfor $3 million. Here is info đ
pub-dhttps://pub-detroitmi.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=207460
Some of the 14 proposals getting rejected by other members of council, request for waiver on 20.12, but will have to wait until discussion over
Asking for clarification on 20.14âcontractor was chosen for cost
Very unsure which of the 14 items in section 20 of the agenda are moving forward đđ¤ˇââď¸
They are now into section 21, New BusinessâŚapproval for items 21.2 through 21.5âŚappear to deal with funding for renewals for summer youth programs. Question about why nothing on eastsideâŚanswer was no proposals had been received
Three itemsâ21.8, 9 & 10 under Office of Development & Grantsâagain under Santiago-Romero. These are for FY 2025 Detroit Sidewalk Repair and Maintenance Grant, Recycling Infrastructure Grant & Safe Routes to School Grant
21.15 & 16 â Recognizing March 2025 As Developmental Disabilities Awareness and Social Work Months â both approved
They are now listing reports sent to various standing committees but Iâm a little lost here as they continually are backtracking on various mattersâjust now Councilmember Young asking about if was too late to attach a waiver to one of the previous items
And now there are several members offering condolences to family of Luther Keith while announcing dates for budget meetings
https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2025/03/09/luther-keith-detroit-journalism-blues-music/81955722007/
Somehow, we are at the end of the agenda, with item 31.1âTestimonial Resolution for Ms. Billie Jean Harris âCelebrating 100 Yearsââapproved.
And they adjourn the meeting at 12:39 PM!
Well, that was my coverage for the 3/11 Detroit City Council meeting. If anything was inaccurate email documenters@media_outlier.org with âCorrection Requestâ in the subject line.