Detroit expands access with surge in paratransit ridership

Paratransit ridership in Detroit has increased. That’s according to the Detroit Department of Transportation. Trip requests have nearly doubled since the launch of DDOT NOW, a same day paratransit service to help mobilize residents with a disability in the city.

The service is available from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and can be requested as quickly as an hour ahead. D-DOT is now exploring hybrid vehicles for the service, cashless payment options, and app-based trip booking alternatives.

Detroit emergency vehicles to get cloud technology

Detroit will equip some police and fire vehicles with cloud technology designed to improve public safety. The devices transmit signals over cellular networks to alert motorists when an emergency vehicle is nearby.

The goal is to remind drivers to move over when they approach a fire truck, police car, or ambulance.

Community benefits meeting on new soccer stadium

The Detroit Planning and Development Department is holding a community benefits ordinance meeting tonight. The Detroit City Football Club, also known as DCFC, has announced plans to build a new soccer stadium in Southwest Detroit on the site of an abandoned hospital.

The 11-acre development is expected to open in 2027. The community benefits ordinance process ensures residents have input into major development projects through a neighborhood advisory council.

Tonight’s meeting takes place at the Mexicantown CDC Mercado on 2826 Bagley. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 6 p.m.

Michigan State Police step up Labor Day drunk driving enforcement

Michigan State Police are cracking down on drunk driving through Labor Day. Officials have created a task force to increase enforcement and messaging through the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

The effort is a collaboration between state police and local law enforcement agencies. Officials say between mid-August and Labor Day there is an increase in crashes involving drivers under the influence. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports one person is killed about every 45 minutes in a drunk driving accident.

Detroit PBS to premiere new documentary

Catch the new documentary Islam’s Greatest Stories of Love on Detroit PBS Saturday at 9 p.m. The film chronicles Ariella Gayotto Hohl’s journey grieving the death of her father.

An Islamic religion scholar, she travels the world interviewing members of the Muslim community about how their faith and culture help them navigate love and grief.

Gayotto Hohl spoke with One Detroit’s Chris Jordan about the film. Watch their conversation tonight at 7:30 p.m. on Detroit PBS.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

 Detroit implements new alert system

A new city-wide alert system aims to notify the public more quickly about missing persons cases. The Detroit Police Department introduced the Emerald Alert Monday. It’s meant to provide emergency notifications for missing persons cases which don’t meet the requirements of an Amber Alert.

Police can send an Emerald Alert for cases where they suspect foul play or to look for someone with special needs. The city will transmit them through its Detroit Alerts 365 system.

Reporting by Bre’Anna Tinsley

Deadline for Home Heating Tax Credit approaches

Qualified renters and homeowners have until September 30^th to apply for the Home Heating Tax Credit.

Last year eligible applicants received an average of $180 to use toward utility bills. Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel says applying might get residents a credit and connect them to other resources like monthly energy discounts and expanded food assistance.

Some utilities offered claimants a $20 monthly credit last year. Anyone can apply using the state’s free tax preparation services. Renters or homeowners must meet income requirements.

Connect to this resource by calling 211 or at Michiganfreetaxhelp.org. 

Wayne County Invest in MI Kids campaign kickoff

Invest in MI Kids is kicking off its Wayne County campaign at Clark Park Friday.

The project is collecting signatures in an effort to change the state constitution to raise taxes on people who make more than 500-thousand dollars who file taxes as single filers or a million dollars for joint filers to better fund schools in the state. Critics have said the change would affect small businesses. Organizers say the language of the petition and amendment only target individuals. Friday’s event will include food trucks, music and “fun.”

It runs from 5pm to 8pm at Clark Park. 

Neighborhood Advisory Council informational meeting

City Council Member Gabriela Santiago Romero is inviting residents from the area where Detroit City Football Club is developing its new stadium to join an educational event tomorrow to learn about the Community Benefits Ordinance and the Neighborhood Advisory Council.

The law requires developers to engage with the community about the impact of large projects and to identify benefits to the community. A Neighborhood Advisory Council is created to represent the community in discussions with developers.

DCFC’s AlumiFi Stadium in Southwest Detroit is expected to cost $150million to build. Projects over 75 million trigger the CBO requirement.

Wednesday’s meeting starts at 6:30 on Zoom. Register here

Free sports clinic sampling in Chandler Park

Chandler Park is hosting a free sports clinic sampling event Wednesday. Youth are invited to come to check out a variety of sports, including golf, pickleball, ultimate frisbee, rugby, lacrosse, soccer, track, volleyball, flag football, tennis, baseball and yoga.

The event runs from 1pm to 6pm with sports scheduled in particular time slots throughout the afternoon. Participants must wear closed toe shoes and parents must stay if children will be participating in any sport.

The event also celebrates the indoor sports facility the Parks and Rec department has opened at Chandler Park. Vendors, DJs and food trucks will be on hand.

Set your GPS to 12300 Chandler Park Drive. 

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Detroit City Football Club celebrated the naming of its new stadium with food, music, and artist renderings of the project. 

Club co-founder Sean Mann says the new grounds in southwest Detroit will be called AlumniFi Field. AlumniFi Credit Union is the team’s official financial partner.

The stadium will be located between Corktown and Mexicantown. Representatives from Mexicantown joined Mann for the announcement at The Mercado on Bagley St.  

Mann says the next step in the process is to craft a community benefits agreement with the city and surrounding neighborhoods.

“We’ve been very mindful from day 1 of creating a very neighborhood-oriented facility,” Mann says. “We’ve done over 50 informal and formal meetings with block clubs in the neighborhood.”

More than just a soccer field

Mann says the project will also include 15,000 square feet of retail space around the stadium, a 420-unit parking deck, and 76 units of affordable housing. He also says since the project is privately owned and financed, the club will pay property taxes on it.

Before crews can start building the stadium, they have to tear down the vacant Southwest Detroit Hospital. Mann says they’ve already had a few challenges, including hazardous chemicals in the water on site.

“All the water has been pumped and filtered,” he says. “Now we have to update our environmentals, and that’ll clear the way for us to start demolition shortly.”

Players and supporters react

Mann says the goal is to finish the stadium and open it in time for the club’s 15th anniversary in 2027. Team Captain Stephen Carroll says he hopes to lead Le Rouge onto the pitch. He says he hopes fans and families will be able to enjoy the stadium for generations to come.

“I have a 1-year-old son now, and hopefully he’ll be able to play in this stadium when he gets old enough” the Irish defenseman says. “It’s obviously a great step forward for this club, and the city, and the sport in general.”

DCFC has played its home matches at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck since 2016. Northern Guard Supporter Jared Coke of Livonia says it’s a step in the right direction for the club and its fans.

“And not just for our team actually, but for the whole city,” Coke says. “We love soccer, this is a soccer city.”