Bridging Neighborhoods Public Hearing - September 30, 2026

The Detroit City Council held its second statutory public hearing for the Bridging Neighborhoods project at Patton Park. The hearing included a presentation by Director Rico Razo on the program's history, investments, and proposed amendments to the 2017 resolution, followed by public comment. Council members also responded to earlier general public comments on various neighborhood issues.

General Public Comments & Testimony (Before Presentation)

• Jose Guzman raised concerns about truck traffic on Central Avenue and requested enforcement of truck routes.
• Simone (unstated affiliation) advocated for more truck parking, better air quality engagement, and stronger tree protection policies.
• Unnamed resident (69-year Delray resident) criticized contractor work quality, reported shootings and break-ins, and requested more attention to Delray.
• Springdale Woodmere Block Club / Friends of Patton Park expressed disappointment that community engagement on the Renaissance Center demolition began after demolition started, and raised concerns about water contamination from demolition near the Detroit River.
• Delray resident requested better street lighting, addressed sewage odors, poor sidewalks, and asked if leftover bridge funds could be used for house repairs.
• Resident inquired about a roof repair program that ended September 22, 2026, asking for it to be reopened.
• Online caller Ronald Foster criticized low voter turnout (25% overall, 10% in some districts) and urged accountability for elected officials and better public education.
• Councilmember Santiago Romero responded to each issue: noted a new truck enforcement unit, committed to air quality advocacy, urged residents to report specific contractor issues, and pledged to look into Delray shootings and roof repair programs. Councilmember Waters promised a memo to increase police patrols in Delray and reiterated the need to bar bad contractors. President Tate added that Renaissance Center demolition will be enclosed (deconstruction method) to control dust.

Presentation by Director Rico Razo

Director Razo detailed the Bridging Neighborhoods program, created from $32.6 million in community benefits from the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. Key investments to date:

• Home Swap Program: $20 million spent; 79 households relocated to fully renovated homes (112 homes renovated across the city).
• I-75 Environmental Mitigation Program: $7.6 million spent; 174 households received insulation, noise-reducing windows, central air, and upgraded filters.
• Additional projects: Strategic Neighborhood Fund, Michigan Central CBA, Stellantis phase 2/3, Ossian Sweet Historic Block, Joe Lewis Greenway pilot, seawall repairs in Jefferson Chalmers, and MDOT-funded air conditioning/tree program.

Proposed Resolution Amendments (to the 2017 resolution):

1. Expand eligible home swap to include duplexes and already rehabbed homes.
2. Expand home repair/indoor air quality improvements to owner-occupied homes directly affected by the bridge expansion within expanded boundaries (south of Fort, between Rouge River and Clark Street, west of Clark Street/north of Ford Street/south of I-75).
3. Resume the I-75 environmental mitigation program for the area 300 feet south of I-75 service drive between Clark and Springwells Streets.
4. Update resolution to reflect the program now under the Department of Human Homeless and Family Services (interim director Chelsea Neblett).

Proposed Allocations:

• Home repair/indoor air quality: $2.46 million (estimated 110 homes)
• I-75 environmental mitigation south of I-75: $540,000 (estimated 12 homes)
• Home swap: $1 million (estimated 6 homes)

Public Comments on the Hearing (After Presentation)

• Jose Guzman expressed satisfaction with the program, having been a past participant.
• Simone Sagalak (Southwest Community Benefit Coalition) thanked the city for keeping money in the community and supported the proposal as presented.
• Michael Christopher thanked council and expressed support for the community-focused approach.
• Virginia Gorardo asked about home repair eligibility for her home (north of I-75). Director Razo informed her of potential qualification under the new boundary and noted biannual citywide critical home repair application periods (next in February 2027).
• John Ricks asked about meeting the 2017 resolution requirement for one hearing north and one south of I-75 (Director Razo confirmed both were held), the availability of amendments online (not yet, but they will be published when the resolution goes to council), and what was done for renters (Director Razo noted rental units were included in environmental mitigation and MDOT programs).
• Maria Gomez asked if her new home purchase qualifies (Director Razo explained that eligibility requires residency since June 23, 2017).
• Anne Burns (Springdale Woodmere, Friends of Patton Park) supported the grants but requested inclusion of corridors from Lafayette to I-75 and Carbon Works, and called for cumulative effects protections, downzoning of vacated industrial parcels, and requiring businesses to move below Ford Street via land swaps.
• Online caller Ronald Foster asked whether the city would seek additional funds from the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and advocated for community involvement in writing program language. Director Razo responded that the team seeks other funding opportunities but could not promise future bridge authority funds.

Discussion Items

• Councilmember Santiago Romero noted that language allowing program changes without council approval had been removed from the resolution, as previously requested.
• Councilmember Pro Tem Young asked about partnerships with environmental protection for carbon capture, vegetation, or sound walls. Director Razo clarified that current programs focus on indoor air quality and noise mitigation, not those technologies, but would consider if funding allowed.

Key Outcomes

• The proposed amendments to the Bridging Neighborhoods 2017 resolution were formally presented for public feedback.
• Next steps: The city law department will finalize the amended resolution, which will then go before City Council’s Neighborhood and Community Services Committee and then to a full council vote. Target: late October/early November 2026.
• If approved, program implementation (outreach, standing up services) is expected to begin in early 2027.
• Councilmember Santiago Romero emphasized that no changes to the program can occur without council approval after passage.
• The meeting was adjourned with no objections.