Welcome back. I’m still Malachi Barrett.

Detroit students are diving into City Council policies through a debate club training the next generation of informed citizens.

Umoja Debate League is a nonprofit formed by Jerjuan Howard to empower young residents.

Howard also transformed three blighted lots near his childhood home on the west side into a community space that hosts a garden, a little free library and a debate stage.

Founded in 2021, the debate team was a vehicle to teach 11-to-18-year-olds critical thinking, conflict resolution and literacy skills.

Howard said it’s creating a pipeline for civic engagement. Students are learning how to read legislation, interpret public policy and make change in their city.

The council honored Howard and his students with a Spirit of Detroit award on Tuesday. Council members thanked Howard for his mentorship of young Detroiters.

Council Member Angela Whitfield-Calloway said she created a youth engagement task force after meeting Howard.

This summer, Howard took 15 students from Henry Ford High School, Cass Tech High School and Bates Academy to Ghana for a cultural immersion program.

The debate club is holding a student-lead candidate forum for Detroit school board candidates at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Shrine of the Black Madonna.

Want to tap in? The team is hiring speech and debate coaches.

What page are we on?

Today’s notebook covers the Oct. 8 formal session. The council is taking its annual legislative retreat this week, so committees won’t be meeting.

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

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Surf these headlines I’ve been reading: 

• Dan Gilbert is now among the top 30 richest people in America 
• Council Member Fred Durhal III wants to be Detroit’s next mayor 
• Detroit considers moving some city offices to the RenCen
• As downtown grows, are Detroit neighborhoods paying the price?
• Nearly a quarter of Detroit absentee ballots are already turned in
• Bank that helped Detroit businesses gets to work in Baltimore
• State library photo exhibit shows mid-century Detroit
• ShotSpotter CEO says it’s not about preventing gun violence

Council wants better treats for Halloween events

Council Member Scott Benson said Detroit kids deserve the good stuff for Halloween this year.

Benson said he doesn’t want to hand out cheap candy at the city’s annual “Halloween in the D” events in October. He said kids were disappointed with Tootsie Rolls and Frooties passed out in past years.

“I just want to make sure that if we’re going to invest in our children that we invest in higher-end (candy),” Benson said. “They are deserving of higher quality.”

Detroit spends roughly $80,000 on holiday treats each year that are given out at recreation centers and police departments.

The council approved a $242,000 contract with Fun Express for program supplies, including Halloween candy.

Extra voting booths part of election preparations 

Detroit bought extra voting booths to prepare for the Nov. 5 presidential election.

Chris Maduka, chief of staff for the Department of Elections, said the booths are needed to prevent long lines and prepare for a potential surge in turnout.

A $169,200 contract was approved with Miller Consultations and Elections/Election Source.

The Grand Rapids company is providing voting booths for 14 early voting sites and for use on Election Day.

Grant pays for new buses, shelters 

Detroit is receiving $61.2 million to purchase new buses, replace and upgrade bus shelters, acquire surveillance equipment and cover other costs.

The Detroit Department of Transportation received a $49.4 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration, matched with $12.3 million from the state Department of Transportation.

DDOT received funding in the current budget to build 60 new bus shelters, which are currently being installed. Department leaders said they plan to install 100 more in the next two years.

The DDOT Reimagined plan, a long-term planning strategy, sets a goal of adding 250 shelters so that 75% of passenger trips take place from a stop with a shelter. It also outlines plans for enhanced seating, signage and digital displays showing bus locations.

Patton Park upgrades coming soon 

Grants and donations are providing $2.6 million to make major improvements at Patton Park in Southwest Detroit.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources provided $1.3 million, with the other half coming from city funds, a 2021 state grant and a donation from the Detroit Parks Coalition.

Funding will pay for a new entry plaza, a connection to the Joe Louis Greenway network, new wayfinding signage, playground renovations and parking lot improvements.

A park plan created in 2023 outlines more concepts including new pavilions and gathering spaces, bike racks, tree plantings, animal habitats, performance state athletic fields, a dog park, a sledding hill and other ideas.

Patton Park is considered a “regional park” by the city, reflecting its massive size and variety of entrances that draw people from immediate neighborhoods and across the city.

The 90-acre park was originally a farm owned by French settlers and named in honor of legendary WWII Gen. George Patton. 

Pandemic funding for Fisher 21 lofts project 

Detroit is providing $6.9 million in federal pandemic relief funds to help developers turn the former Fisher 21 Body Plant into a massive apartment building.

The total development cost has grown to $154.7 million. Hosey Development, LLC has been renovating the formerly abandoned site into 433 apartment units, including 63 with discounted rent.

Three units will be affordable for residents earning 50% of the area median income for Wayne County, which equals $900 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,080 for a two-bedroom apartment.

The other 60 “affordable” units are offered for people earning 80% of the area median income, which equals $1,440 for a one-bedroom unit and $1,728 for a two-bedroom unit.

American Rescue Plan Act funds can be used to create affordable housing in neighborhoods impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The project is expected to be one of the largest Black-led real estate developments in the country. Developers negotiate a community benefits agreement with surrounding residents in 2022. 

Water system improvements  

Federal pandemic relief funding is helping to replace old water mains with a history of leaking.

A $16.8 million contract was awarded to LGC Global, Inc. to replace 3,100 feet of water mains in Midtown, Medical Center, Cultural Center and Barton-McFarland areas. The city expects to replace 366 lead service lines.

It’s entirely funded with American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Whitfield-Calloway voted against the contract.