FOR RELEASE: October 21, 2020 

MEDIA CONTACT:  Nicole Simmons
404-447-6177
Nicole.simmons@detroitmi.gov

City developing ‘Streets for People’ transportation plan to make streets safer and easier for Detroiters; seeking public input

• City seeking public input on making city streets safer and easier to use transit, walk, bike and drive
• City, in combination with community ambassador organizations, to host a series of virtual community engagement meetings
• Public safety messaging can be seen across city on billboards, buses and new campaign video
• Transportation plan set to be completed in 12 months

The City of Detroit is seeking input from city residents in developing a transportation plan the city is calling, Streets for People. The plan has a singular focus; make it easier and safer for all Detroiters to move around city streets, whether walking, biking, driving or via transit. The plan seeks to knit together diverse neighborhoods, prioritize safety of the most vulnerable road users, and identify clear implementation and design strategies for roadway improvement. Most importantly, it will be rooted in an inclusive planning process that gives a voice to the city’s residents who are most implicated by the transportation system.

Over the next several months, the city will host a series of virtual community engagement meetings, a text campaign, surveys and website updates providing a platform for residents to share their thoughts and ideas on how to make city streets safer and easier to navigate, no matter the mode of transportation being used. Dates for these meetings will be available in the coming weeks. The transportation plan is set to be completed over the next 12 months by the Department of Public Works in partnership with MDOT, SEMCOG, city departments, and partner agencies.

The plan will focus on five core areas: 

1. SAFETY FIRST - Streets should be safe for all Detroiters - no more crashes, no more deaths
2. EQUITY, DIGNITY, AND TRANSPARENCY - Detroiters, these are YOUR streets - help us make them work best for you
3. ACCESS FOR ALL - All Detroiters should be able to easily move around the city, no matter their age or ability
4. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY - Improve access to jobs and support neighborhoods by designing better streets and mobility options
5. PUBLIC HEALTH - Better mobility options can improve the health of Detroiters and reduce pollution

As part of the Streets for People plan, the city is launching a public safety campaign. Residents can see the campaign messaging in billboards across the city, bus advertisements, as well a new campaign video that will be posted to the city’s website and social media pages.

In September, the city announced a major expansion to its speed cushion program. In 2021, 4,500 speed cushions will be installed on residential streets throughout Detroit, up from 1,200 speed cushions installed this year. This is just one method the city is implementing to reduce speeding and improve overall neighborhood safety. Traffic calming devices such as this and others will be examined in the Streets for People plan.

Residents interested in providing input can visit www.detroitmi.gov/dpw or text ‘Streets for people’ to 313-509-1559 for additional information.

Watch the Streets for People campaign video here: https://youtu.be/SQYz5DYL7qk

Below are examples of the messaging residents can expect to see on billboards in the coming weeks. 

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FOR RELEASE: September 18, 2020

City calls on Detroiters to help clean 500 alleys by end of 2020; paid positions available

• City committed to cleaning 500 alleys by end of 2020; 29 alleys cleaned to date
• Paid positions available for city residents interested in performing alley cleanup duties
• City seeks to partner with registered block clubs on identifying and maintaining alley cleanups

Today, city officials joined neighborhood leaders to share an update on the city's new alley cleanup program. Launched in August 2020, the pilot program is on pace to clean 500 alleys by the end of the year. 29 alleys have been cleaned to date. The overwhelmingly positive response from residents has created more opportunity for Detroiters who would like to help beautify neighborhoods through this work, as a paid member of the cleanup crew. 

The city vacated alleys decades ago and they’ve since become the responsibility of the adjacent homeowners.  This new program provides residents with city assistance to clean up overgrown alleys in exchange for a commitment from residents for ongoing maintenance and cleanup.

“The alley cleanup program was a direct response to what we’ve heard from residents for years,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “We’ve heard the continual requests to get the alleys cleaned up. Not only are we listening; we’re acting, but we can't do this work alone. Together with registered block clubs across the city, and any Detroiter that wants to help get the work done, we can get this city cleaned up, one alley at a time.”

The work performed by city cleanup crews includes complete removal of everything in the alley, including debris removal and tree and brush trimming. Some light grading work is also being done to ensure alleys are leveled and passable. Gates are expected to be made available next year. Since the program's inception 549 tons of debris has been cleared and 391 tires along with 523 trees have been removed from city alleys. 

Paid positions available for city residents

The city is looking to hire at least 20 additional Detroit residents interested in performing alley cleanup duties. There are several positions available, ranging in pay starting at $13 to $20 per hour. Interested individuals should submit an application here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/detroit/jobs/2802771/alley-clean-up-program/apply/jobdetails?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Partnerships with Registered Block Clubs

A major component of the alley cleanup program is its partnership with registered block clubs and neighborhood associations. The city will only select alleys submitted by those groups registered with the Department of Neighborhoods. Registered block clubs and neighborhood associations interested in submitting an alley for cleanup must complete the online request form here https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/8a2126a0a39e48ae8ba82c56d566bced

Once an alley has been selected and cleaned, the block club must commit to maintaining the alley by performing additional cleanups, at least twice per year.

For residents looking to take part in the program who may not have a block club or neighborhood association in their area, individuals are encouraged to organize block clubs and get registered with the city. For more information on establishing a block club, visit detroitmi.gov/neighborhoods.

Below are before and after photos of some of the previously completed alley cleanups. 

Before alley cleanup on Fenkel & Stansbury (District 2)

After alley cleanup on Fenkel & Stansbury (District 2)

Before alley cleanup on Marx & Grixdale (District 3)

After alley cleanup on Marx & Grixdale (District 3)

Before alley cleanup on Hazelwood & Gladstone (District 5)

After alley cleanup on Hazelwood & Gladstone (District 5)

FOR RELEASE: September 16, 2020 

Mayor announces major expansion of speed hump program to meet overwhelming response

• DPW to install 4,500 humps in 2021, up from 1,200 this year
• Program began as a pilot in 2018 with only 32 speed humps and has grown annually
• Traffic calming devices to be prioritized where they can have the greatest impact on neighborhood safety
• City seeks to partner with Detroit-based, minority-owned asphalt companies  

Mayor Mike Duggan announced today a major expansion of the city’s speed hump installation program, which the city first tested in 2018 as a method to reduce speeding and improve safety in city neighborhoods. Under the mayor’s plan, the Department of Public Works will nearly quadruple the number of speed hump installations it performs next year to 4,500, up from the previous high of 1,200 this year.

The speed hump program first launched as a pilot in 2018, consisted of installing speed humps along a small number of residential side streets among each of the seven City Council Districts with the intention of soliciting resident feedback. Response has been so favorable, the city has responded by increasing the size of the program each year.  

• 2018 – 32
• 2019 – 543
• 2020 – 1,200
• 2021 – 4,500 (planned)

For the 2021 program, the City has allocated $11.5 million that will come from state transportation funds, as well planned capital projects that have been reprioritized.

“Probably the single biggest neighborhood concern we have been hearing from residents this year is speeding and reckless driving along residential side streets, so it’s not surprising that the speed hump program has become so wildly popular,” said Mayor Duggan. “We know this is a priority for residents, so we are making the expansion of this effort one of our highest priorities for the next year.”

The speed humps are one part of the city’s traffic calming efforts to increase overall neighborhood safety and slow down motorists in those areas with high pedestrian traffic. In 2020, streets adjacent to city parks and schools were given priority. In 2021, the city will continue to prioritize streets that have the greatest impact on making our residential neighborhoods safer.

Some of the determining factors for a street to receive a speed hump will include:

The 4,500 locations for speed humps will be on streets with a 25 mph speed limit. Installation will start next spring on sites determined by the road engineering department based on 3 criteria:

• Traffic counts on street
• Number of children living on the street
• DPD or other reports of excessive speeding on the street

Specific emphasis will be placed on streets often used as a cut-through, or shortcut to bypass major road traffic.

“Each location will be evaluated and selected based on these criteria, so each neighborhood is treated equally,” said DPW Director Ron Brundidge. “Our hope is that the additional 4,500 speed humps will help to create safer neighborhoods across the city for pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and anyone else traveling on our residential streets.”

The new speed humps will be installed by a combination of city workers and contractors. The city is looking to work with smaller, Detroit based, minority-owned asphalt companies to complete this work. Interested parties should contact DPW this season at 313-224-3901, to develop an understanding of the required work, and what they will need to do to put themselves in a position to bid on the work next year. Work is expected to begin in Spring of 2021.

***Speed Hump Installation Photo Op***

Contractors and city workers will be installing speed humps today between 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM. For any media interested in getting live footage of the installation process, please contact Nicole Simmons at 404-447-6177.  

For a complete list of installed speed humps visit https://detroitmi.gov/speedhumps.

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