Detroit Land Bank Authority preps land review update

Documenters finally caught up to the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority, which hosted its first meeting in more than a year. Keep reading for more on what did and did not happen.

In another public meeting, we learned the Detroit Land Bank Authority is still operating without a memorandum of understanding with the City of Detroit. However, the Land Bank updated the vacant land markings on its property purchase map to reflect the city’s projected solar farm sites and areas previously recognized by Detroit Economic Growth Corp. that have recently become unavailable, especially on the eastside.

Also operating without a contract are SMART bus drivers who said it isn’t fair that they’ve waited 18 months while the union negotiates. They described unsafe work conditions, citing instances of death threats and equipment failures. One bus driver rebutted claims of a driver shortage and said that there is instead a bus shortage, with 10-15 drivers waiting at times to operate a bus.

Almost every month, we report unnamed speakers and audio issues at the Detroit Housing Commission (DHC), and this month is no different. Meeting participants expressed dissatisfaction with a lack of agenda, poor audio quality and speakers who weren’t identified by name at the DHC board meeting.

City Council provided a breath of fresh air, approving the fugitive dust ordinance and an ordinance to increase resources to combat human trafficking.

Housing

Residents remain dissatisfied with the Detroit Housing Commission. At its Thursday meeting, Miriam Pickens of the housing advocacy group Detroit Eviction Defense accused the commission of hiring “property managers that disrespect the tenants, that don’t do the repairs, and instead give them eviction notices.”

Board President Richard Hosey responded that although the DHC has provided subsidies to tenants at the properties in question, it doesn’t own or control them. But he said “we always have to think about, who are we mixing our reputation with?” Hosey said the DHC can “follow up” and try to “use its influence” with problematic property managers.

The board went on to approve a master development agreement with Ginosko Development Co. for new housing at The Villages at Parkside .

5/23/2024 Detroit Housing Commission Board of Commissioners, documented by Nathaniel Eichenhorn and Paige Rollins

Development

Documenters finally got the chance to attend a meeting of the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority last week. It was the first in more than a year, and it lasted all of 20 minutes. The board welcomed Stephanie Washington , the mayor’s chief of staff, and Luke Polcyn , senior executive for development and economic transformation, as its newest members. Both were appointed to the board by Mayor Mike Duggan. Washington replaces former Board Member Bryan Barnhill, and Polcyn replaces Mary Martin.

Martin was presented with gifts from both the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers, and a plaque and resolution from Wayne County honoring her career.

Only one item of business was voted on at the meeting: some temporary fencing and security structures around Ford Field, requested by the City of Detroit. That request was approved.

The board then heard reports on event programming and infrastructure updates at Ford Field and Comerica Park, and adjourned the meeting. There was no mention of the sale of authority-owned parking lots to developers of The District Detroit.

5/23/2024 Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority, documented by A J Johnson and Heather Alder

5/21/2024 Detroit Land Bank Authority Board of Directors: Land Bank executives briefed the board on a draft five-year strategic plan and updated its property purchase map. A memorandum of understanding between the city and Land Bank is still pending before City Council .

Documented by Perry Sylvester and Tarrah Nelson

Politics

5/20/2024 Highland Park City Council: Incoming interim City Treasurer Lisa Stolarski, who has yet to take office, spoke of a lack of financial oversight by City Council during a public hearing on the budget.

Documented by Chandler Vaughan and Colleen Cirocco

5/21/2024 Detroit City Council Formal Session: Many public commenters supported the proposed fugitive dust ordinance; councilmembers approved it, 7-1. The council also unanimously approved the human trafficking ordinance.

Documented by Asha McElroy and Sherrie Smith

For more on City Council, check out Malachi Barrett’s City Council Notebook at BridgeDetroit.

Utilities

5/22/2024 Great Lakes Water Authority Board of Directors: After failing to secure a loan needed to update its water treatment facility, the City of Mount Clemens is requesting water services from the authority.

Documented by Amber Umscheid and Hannah Mathers

Transportation

5/23/2024 SMART Board of Directors: Public commenters’ praise for the new Route 492 was overshadowed by SMART bus drivers who said they have worked without a contract for 18 months as they faced unsafe and unfair working conditions.

Documented by Amanda Absher and Natalie Davies

Policing

5/23/2024 Detroit Board of Police Commissioners: Commissioners and Police Chief James White discussed suspended Lt. Brandon Cole, who recently told a protester to “go back to Mexico.” Cole also didn’t have a body-worn camera as mandated by the department.

Documented by Nathaniel Eichenhorn and Sonja Stuckey

For more on the Board of Police Commissioners, check out the latest BOPC Watch .

This story was written by Outlier Media’s Lynelle Herndon and Noah Kincade, and Detroit Documenters Amanda Absher, Nathaniel Eichenhorn and Perry Sylvester.

Correction: This story was updated to reflect that the Detroit Land Bank Authority Board of Directors received an update from executives about a draft five-year strategic plan. The actual draft of the plan has not yet been presented to the board.

Detroit Land Bank Authority preps land review update · Outlier Media