Ypsilanti City Hall and off-site administrative offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19th, 2024, in honor of the Juneteenth Holiday. All offices will reopen on Thursday, June 20th, 2024 at 8:00 AM.

The City of Ypsilanti Recognized for Environmental Leadership

Ypsilanti, Michigan —The City of Ypsilanti was recognized for its environmental leadership by the statewide Michigan Green Communities (MGC) program. As part of the annual Michigan Green Communities (MGC) Challenge, local governments are awarded bronze, silver, gold or platinum seals of achievement. These achievements reflect community leadership in areas such as energy efficiency, climate adaptation and resilience, recycling, environmental justice, and more.

Read the entire press release here.

New Hires at the CIty

This is a reminder that the Spring Street Bridge is still temporarily closed for mandatory repairs. After the repairs are completed, contractors will address the LeForge Bridge for repair.

Traffic detour routes:  Eastbound traffic must take Huron St to Michigan Ave to Prospect St. to reach Factory/ Maus Westbound traffic must take Prospect St to Michigan Ave to Hamilton to reach Spring/Harriet. Catherine St will remain open for local traffic

Sustainability Corner

The May Sustainability Commission Meeting highlights the great Spring and Summer Sustainability activities across Ypsilanti: 

First First Friday of Summer June 7th - First Fridays Ypsi |

Ypsilanti Farmers Market - Farmer's Markets | Ypsilanti, MI (cityofypsilanti.com)

Ypsilanti Bike Co-Op - Ypsi Bike Co-op | Ypsilanti MI | Facebook

Also, progress continues on the removal of the Peninsular Dam. The next phase of work includes conducting a Mussel Survey and you can be part of it! Throughout the month of June there are opportunities to join HRWC as they look for mussels throughout the City's stretch of the Huron River. 

Q. What is it like to be a mussel surveyor?

A.  As a mussel surveyor, you will be in the water for much of your work shift. You will get 100% wet, so please dress appropriate to be in the water and be ready to stick your head into the Huron River. You should be comfortable with wearing a mask/snorkel and comfortable in being in moving water that could be regularly up to your waist and occasionally higher.

Learn more and sign up on HRWC's website: 

 https://huronriverwatershedcouncil.my.salesforce-sites.com/registerVolunteerShifts2024?cid=701PB00000AkhKOYAZ& 

The next Sustainability Commission meeting will be on June 10th at 7pm at City Hall. The Sustainability Commission is actively working on building partnerships and conversations on forming resilience hubs across the City - and throughout the Ypsilanti area. If you are interested in learning more about resilience hubs and how to get involved, reach out to Sustainability Chair, Beth Gibbons at beth.gibbons527@gmail.com

Non-Motorized Advisory Committee

In collaboration with the Michigan Fitness Foundation, the City of Ypsilanti non-motorized advisory committee and Bike Ypsi invite community members to a free community event: Bike Ypsi Day, Sunday, June 2, from 1 to 3 p.m.

“This is an opportunity for bicycle riders of all skill levels and ages to learn where the new paths and lanes are and how to use them safely and confidently to get where they need to go,” says Steve Wilcoxen, City of Ypsilanti councilperson. “We’re also interested in learning about where the community wants to see more non-motorized transportation options so we can close gaps and address missing links.”

The event will kick off in the parking lot of Café Liv at 202 N. Washington St. The City of Ypsilanti Non-Motorized Advisory Committee will have a table with maps, refreshments, giveaways and a link to a survey. From Café Liv, Bike Ypsi will lead a series of small group rides on a five-mile loop using new bike lanes and paths in Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township, with the last ride departing at 3 p.m. (Cross your fingers for great weather because there will be no rain date.)

 Bicycle riders of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Helmets are required for riders under 18 and highly recommended for everyone else. If you need to make sure your bike is in good working order beforehand, visit the Ypsi Bike Coop booth at the Ypsilanti Farmers Market on June 1 for assistance.

Rutherford Pool Update

Opening for Memorial Day was delayed because of resurfacing, However, the pool is now open! Check out the recent blog post here

Current Hours
Monday to Friday
5 pm to 6 pm adult lap swim
6 pm to 8 pm Family Swim

Saturday/Sunday:
12-1 tot splash and adult lap swim
1-4:50 pm Open Swim
5-6 tot splash and adult lap swim
6-8 pm Family Swim

Solar Ypsi

Residents can still get a $2,000 rebate for installing solar panels on their homes or business. There is $80,000 available for rebates for anyone interested, that’s enough to accommodate 40 different homes.  Ypsilanti has been a leader in solar power for the past 18 years. Ypsilanti currently has over 1.5MW of solar power, which equates to 85.6 watts per capita, and ranks Ypsi at 22 in the nation, on par with San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and other big cities.

There are many opportunities through Solar Ypsi to get a rebate for your solar panels. If you're interested get a quote from a local contractor &

for more information, please email tkoch@cityofypsilanti.com

Around Town

Ypsi Pride is excited to announce that the annual pride event will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, starting at 5:00 pm and continuing until 10:00 pm. The event will be located in Depot Town, and it promises to be a fantastic evening filled with celebration, community, and support.

Mark your calendars for First Friday Ypsilanti on June 7th. Check out their Facebook page for a map of all the participating businesses and attractions. First Fridays Ypsilanti is a monthly, free, self-guided tour that confidently promotes arts and culture for both residents and visitors. It invites people to explore various area businesses where they can shop and get exclusive discounts, attend pop-up events and galleries featuring Ypsilanti area artists and performers, and experience the Ypsilanti arts scene in all its forms. So, don't miss this exciting opportunity to witness the best of Ypsilanti's arts and culture!

First Friday Ypsilanti Facebook

Ypsi DDA Public Input Session

The Ypsilanti DDA hopes to improve the community space known as Freighthouse Plaza and build a welcoming gateway to the district. The DDA has contracted Fishbeck to lead Depot Towns stakeholders and the surrounding community through a series of public engagement sessions and to bring those ideas together for a cohesive concept design.

The purpose of this meeting is to gather public input on the overall design of the Freighthouse Plaza and the corridor gateway on North River Street adjacent to the Ypsilanti Food Co/op.

Fishbeck will lead a discussion regarding the public's hopes and desires of the area's redesign.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP here - https://forms.gle/qu79t3woByo2dyUcA

Questions? Email elize@ypsilantidda.org 

Ypsi 9th Hour 

The next Ypsi 9th Hour is Thursday, June 20th at The Back Office Studio! Join us for an after-work social scene of networking and camaraderie. We look forward to seeing you! 

Register here: https://bit.ly/3Wfzqqv 

Ypsilanti District Library

Ypsilanti District Library plans to reopen at their Michigan Avenue location in early August. Stay tuned for details about reopening celebrations. Get the latest at ypsilibrary.org.

The Annual Juneteenth weekend celebration is upcoming June 21st-23rd in Downtown Ypsilanti. If you're interested in volunteering, visit https://bit.ly/VolunteerForYpsiJuneteenth

Friday, June 21st 6:00pm-10:00pm 

Saturday, June 22nd 11:00am-8:30pm

Sunday, June 23rd 11:30am-7:00pm

Riverside Arts Center Updates

A Contemporary Drawing Exhibition.

Riverside Arts Center (RAC) has just announced three calls for art for upcoming exhibitions in their North Gallery for the remainder of 2024 and the beginning of 2025.

"Anything But... Canvas." Artists are invited to submit works that transcend canvas as a medium and delve into realms of mixed media. This exhibition aims to celebrate the boundless possibilities and innovative approaches that arise when artists venture outside the familiar confines of a canvas, including 2D and 3D works.

"Solstitium: The Sun Stands Still." This exhibition honors the Winter Solstice, symbolizing the turning point when days cease to shorten and begin to get longer—a moment often interpreted as a metaphorical rebirth and new beginnings. Artists are invited to interpret these themes in their own styles and mediums.

"Exhibition Proposals" Riverside Arts Center is looking for exhibition proposals for September, 2025. This includes solo shows, groups of artists, guilds, and collectives.  

For more complete details, click here!  [https://www.riversidearts.org/artist-opportunities-2/}

On the first and third Wednesday of every month, artists can bring two pieces of original art to present. Artists, art lovers, collectors, curators – everyone is welcome from Ypsi and beyond! Attendees are not required to present. Anyone is welcome to simply gather with our community and enjoy the incredible artwork. Presentations occur on a first-come first-served basis. Doors open at 5:00 PM, and presentations start at 5:30 PM. Sign up by 6:00 PM to present.