Welcome back. I’m still Malachi Barrett.

Outgoing Ombudsman Bruce Simpson was celebrated by the council Tuesday as he ends a 10-year term as the city’s government watchdog.

Simpson stepped into the role as the youngest ombudsman in Detroit history, leading the independent investigative agency at the age of 32. Simpson said he leaves the office “stronger than it has ever been.”

During the last decade, Simpson doubled the size of the office, received 74,278 complaints, issued 50 policy recommendations and raised awareness of how the ombudsman helps residents and businesses through 1,440 community meetings.

“What did it take to serve in this capacity for 10 years? It meant through bankruptcy, emergency management, COVID, two charter commissions and two lawsuits,” Simpson said, “we never lost focus. We did not flinch, blink or waver. I know the administration did not care for the level of accountability we demanded, but we took our role of oversight seriously.” 

A March 2025 report found 62% of complaints received over the previous year involved the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED). No other department came close; the Detroit Land Bank Authority was the second biggest source of complaints at just 8%.

Simpson released his final report to the City Council to put the contributions made under his administration on the public record.

The report documents Simpson’s latest recommendations, including making the Office of Immigration Affairs permanent and stepping up BSEED code enforcement of city-owned buildings.

Simpson recommended creating incentives for Detroiters looking to own a gas station or convenience store in response to a disconnect between out-of-town owners that contributes to safety issues. Simpson said owners don’t care about the welfare of their patrons and sell vape pens to children.

Simpson said he’s most proud of a recommendation to terminate the city’s demolition agreement with the Detroit Building Authority, arguing that the entity’s involvement undermines accountability in the demolition process. Oversight was shifted from the land bank after a federal investigation found funds were mishandled.

“This recommendation required intestinal fortitude, moral clarity and the ability to speak truth to power when others were unwilling or unable,” Simpson said. “This is a billion-dollar industry and the signature issue for this administration, which is why so many steered clear of taking on this issue — but not the Ombudsman’s Office.”

Simpson also recommended a pause on the land bank’s Nuisance Abatement Program, which is used to take property from people who own blighted buildings. Simpson argued it’s hypocritical, since the land bank also owns nuisance properties, and unfairly punishes residents who can’t fix their buildings on the land bank’s timeline.

The council selected former Detroit school board member and state Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo to serve the next 10 years. Simpson said the office takes on the personality of its leader, and outlined a few key attributes for a successful successor, including the ability to operate objectively, rely on the facts and follow through when those facts lead them to an uncomfortable place.

“Demanding accountability will not make you popular, but should allow you to go to sleep at night with a clear conscience, knowing you work every day to improve the quality of life for our residents,” Simpson said.

“I have maintained that performing this work is an extremely isolating job, and if you’re doing the job appropriately, you cannot be everyone’s friend.” 

Simpson bought the council and staff members doughnuts as “one last kind gesture.”

Council members said Simpson’s tenure will be remembered for taking bold action and elevating the public’s understanding of the office. Council President Pro Tem James Tate, one of three members who were on the body when Simpson was appointed in 2015, described Simpson as steadfast and unwavering.

Simpson is the grandson of former City Council member and Congresswoman Barbara Rose-Collins. His son worked on the staff of Council President Mary Sheffield. 

I ran into Simpson in the elevator on the way up to Tuesday and asked him what’s next after 10 years in the role.

Simpson exhaled, then said he’s been working in the Ombudsman’ s office for 18 years total; he was an assistant ombudsman first.

He’s looking forward to relaxing for a bit.

What page are we on?

Today’s notebook covers the Oct. 7 formal session.

Dig into the agenda, read Detroit Documenter notes or watch the recording for more details.

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Tactical rezoning aims to save old public buildings  

The City Council will take up another zoning change that could have a major impact on the restoration of old schools, libraries, churches and other institutional buildings.

A public hearing will be held Nov. 6 on an “adaptive reuse and tactical preservation” strategy that allows 50 kinds of new conditional uses in residential districts. Tate said there will be lots of discussion on the implications before the council votes.

“Tactical preservation” is defined as a building reuse strategy to ensure existing buildings are activated through specific development standards. It builds on past efforts to preserve historic buildings, particularly schools, by a working group convened by the City Planning Commission in 2019.

The goal is to reduce demolition of derelict buildings in neighborhoods and speed up the redevelopment of vacant historic sites like fire and police stations, post offices, museums, funeral homes, court houses, schools, educational institutions and religious institutions. 

“The proposal that is before this Honorable Body is an initiative seeking to give new life to Detroit’s institutional buildings as they are often the anchors of culture, character, and the fabric of neighborhoods,” a Planning Commission report states.

“Historic institutional buildings often hold communities together by serving as a civic anchor, but as the buildings decline, the surrounding communities also decline in many cases.”

Council Member Fred Durhal III said during a prior committee meeting that the ordinance will create new opportunities to develop vacant school buildings that have struggled to find a new use.

State budget funds community violence intervention 

The Michigan Legislature is finally making good on promises to fund Detroit’s nationally-recognized Community Violence Intervention program as city leaders celebrate continued reductions in crime.

The 2025-26 budget avoids a state government shutdown and spreads $72 million to communities across Michigan based on their share of statewide violent crime. Additional funding was secured to stand up CVI programs in other cities and boost a state Crime Victims Rights Fund.

Mayor Mike Duggan applauded the move during a Monday press conference with law enforcement and public safety leaders. He said the funding will allow the city to work with community organizations to expand violence prevention into new neighborhoods, expanding the coverage area from 30 to 36 square miles.

Dujuan Zoe Kennedy is executive director of FORCE Detroit, one of the CVI organizations that has paved the way for statewide expansion. Kennedy said Monday that sustainable funding will put Detroit on a path to put out a fire of youth violence. The funding will help FORCE Detroit expand trauma recovery, mentorship programs, and evidence-based violence prevention initiatives.

Council President Mary Sheffield plans to introduce an ordinance that would allocate the new funding.

Police data released this month shows 366 non-fatal shootings so far, down 22% from the same point last year. Homicides are also down 15%, with 132 so far this year.

Duggan said the decline is a result of crackdowns on nuisance block parties, youth curfew violations, work by CVI groups and partnerships with federal agencies targeting gang violence and illegal weapons.

Police Chief Todd Bettison said he’s working to make Detroit the safest big city in America. Detroit’s homicide rate is among the highest in the country, ranking third in 2024 behind New Orleans and St. Louis.

Bettison said Detroit “broke the back” of carjackings during the last decade. There were 64 carjackings recorded so far this year, down from 537 at the same point in 2013.

James Deir, special agent in charge for the ATF Detroit Field Division, vouched for the usefulness of ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology. Deir said the tool is helping to identify gunfire and recover evidence that are put into federal databases, connecting the dots on crimes.

Dier said the ATF was alerted to 959 shootings last year, with most crimes being committed by a small portion of the population. The profile of a typical shooter is a 29-year-old male with two prior felony convictions and a history of illegal drug use. Each shooter is linked to around 10 shootings across the region, Dier said. 

Proposed stadium ban on nicotine pouches and vapes

Durhal is leading an ordinance that would make it a misdemeanor to use a vape or nicotine products like Zyn inside Detroit stadiums.

A public hearing will be held before the City Council votes on authorizing the new law. A draft of the ordinance specifically bans smokeless tobacco products and alternative nicotine products. Durhal said it encourages healthy lifestyles and protects youth.

The ordinance gives people the chance to stop without a penalty, but refusing to comply can result in a fine of $100.

Gilbert Family Foundation supports park improvements 

The Gilbert Family Foundation gave the city $1.2 million to improve three parks across Detroit.

Hasse-Emery Park received a $500,000 grant for improvements, while Eliza Howell Park received $400,000 and Dorias Park received $300,000.

The grant for Eliza Howell Park will pay for a nature-themed playground including a cardinal play structure, zipline and marsh balance course.

Health inspection, recreation center rental fees hiked 

The City Council voted to increase health inspection fees by 10% and create new fees for an array of businesses.

Lea Smith, director of administrative operations for the Detroit Health Department, said it’s been a decade since the fee was raised, making the change long overdue to keep up with rising operational costs. The department recommends raising fees by 3% to 5% each year moving forward.

The hike applies to a variety of fees for annual licenses, site plan review, hygiene and miscellaneous fees. Nineteen new fees were also added.

Marijuana dispensaries had a major cut to the industrial hygiene fee, going from $2,276 to $500, while an annual $250 fee was added. Executive Policy Manager Irvin Corley said this change was meant to make it more competitive for those looking to open new dispensaries.

The council also updated space and equipment rental fees for Northwest Activities Center, the community center at AB Ford Park, Chandler Fieldhouse and the Palmer Park Bandshell.