The NEW style of Newsletter for Ypsilanti
Happy September, everyone! There have been many changes here at the City of Ypsilanti while staff has shifted; we will still be sending out our monthly newsletter, but now through a feature on our website called CivicSend. We want to thank the community for their support through the transition, and we're looking forward to finishing the year 2023 more vital than ever. For construction updates, please visit the city website under project updates. Michigan Avenue has finalized the hard part of construction in the Downtown area. The water mains have all been CONSTRUCTION UPDATE(S) restored, and the contractor is filling in the voids on our Downtown main roadway area. The next step is in MDOT’s hands, following into the Michigan Avenue corridor after YCUA’s essential utility work.
City of Ypsilanti Administrative offices will be closed on Monday, September 4th in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
All offices will reopen on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023, at 8:00 AM.
Last week, we saw heavy storms in Ypsilanti. These storms caused localized flooding and damaged many trees, affecting many of our residential curbside waste pickup customers. City Code 86-54, regarding setting out rubbish early, will be suspended immediately through close of business on September 12th, allowing residents to stage additional garbage and yard waste for residential curbside pickup. Residents with documented flood damage will be provided up to five additional trash bag stickers at no charge, which they can pick up from the Department of Public Services at 14 W Forest during their regular business hours of 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday (closed Labor Day).
There will be NO trash, recycling, or yard waste collection on Monday, September 4th, in observance of Labor Day. Curbside collections will be delayed by one day, resuming on Tuesday, September 5th. This delay in service will affect recycling and yard waste collection for the those on the A route collection schedule. Click here (insert hyperlink in “click here” text https://cityofypsilanti.com/881/Recycling-and-Yard-Waste-Pickup-Schedule) to view recycling and yard waste route schedules. Week of 9/4/2023 Collection Schedule Monday 9/4 – Labor Day, NO service Tuesday 9/5 – Monday Trash, Route A Recycling and Yard Waste Wednesday 9/6 – Tuesday Trash, Route A Recycling and Yard Waste Thursday 9/7 – Wednesday Trash, Route A Recycling and Yard Waste Friday 9/8 – Thursday Trash, Route A Recycling and Yard Waste Saturday 9/9 – Friday Trash, Route A Recycling and Yard Waste Please have your items out by 6 AM on your designated collection day.
Further information please contact the Department of Public Services at (734) 483-1421.
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 For the installation, Gary Horton, a local artist, has been with community youth members. Check out the current progress on the new mural in the N. Washington parking lot (at the Ypsilanti Transit Center). |
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UMS returning to Ypsilanti Freighthouse
UMS is launching a new season of events, the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, with four weeks of programming for all ages from September 12th – October 7th! All events will be free or Pay-What-You-Wish; visit: https://ums.org/season/ums-at-ypsilanti-freighthouse/. The two-year partnership between UMS and Ypsilanti includes art programming for Ypsilanti residents, families, and schoolchildren. If you couldn't attend the week-long programming in April, here is another opportunity to visit the Ypsilanti Freighthouse and participate in family-friendly events. |
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WRAP Movie Night at Frog Island Park
On Friday, September 15th, join in for a free viewing of the Transformers: Rise of the Beast at Frog Island Amphitheater: free popcorn, candy, and beverages for those in attendance. Movie Nights in the Park are hosted monthly by Home of New Vision's RCO program, Washtenaw Recovery Advocacy Project (WRAP). WRAP hosts these movie nights to target the stigma around substance use disorder by showing the community we can have fun in recovery. The event is open to anyone in the community to offer a fun and friendly environment for people to connect, gain resources, and ultimately have a good time in the presence of a fantastic film that we ask the community to vote on each month. |
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Ypsilanti are you ready? Grab your hard hat and get ready to smash through a wall because it’s officially game week on campus and you won’t want to miss the FIRST Eastern Michigan Football Game of the season! EMU kicks off the season tonight (September 1st) against Howard at 6:30pm inside Rynearson Stadium. Tickets are still available, visit EMUEagles.com to grab your seat today! Throughout the summer months we were hard at work upgrading many of the areas our fans utilize the most on gameday, all in an effort to enhance your experience. These upgrades include an expanded kids zone in the south end zone, new food trucks to appease all of your tastebuds, renovated restrooms on the west concourse, and enhanced premium spaces. Also, the return of football means the return of many of the traditions you love the most, like Eagle Walk (two hours and fifteen minutes before kickoff), the Pride of the Peninsula Marching Band, EMU ROTC cannon, Fireworks when EMU scores, and the live eagle flying into the stadium. You know what they say – there's nothing quite like the energy of a college football game. From the pre-game tailgate to the final whistle, you'll be part of an unforgettable experience. The cheers, the chants, and the shared excitement will become cherished memories you'll carry with you long after graduation. Can't make tonight's game? Make sure to visit EMUEagles.com to stay up to date on all future EMU Football games and schedules for every EMU sport.
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Peninsular Pen Dam Removal Update
After three years of studying the impoundment, the initial plan for removing the dam is nearing its final phase. The project team now has a better understanding of the steps that will be necessary to deconstruct the dam safely and slowly, restore the river, and protect areas downriver during construction. To develop this plan, consulting engineers from LimnoTech, Inter-fluve, and AECOM have studied the underwater shape of the impoundment, approximated the alignment of the natural river’s original channel, and estimated the amount of sediment that needs to be moved to reconstruct the waterway. The specific details will change somewhat along with the final design. Still, there is good news: the amount of sediment found in the impoundment was lower than expected, and the toxicity of the material that has built up behind the dam is relatively low for a dam on a river in an industrial area. That said, some excavation of sediment will be required. In a few places, the sediment will be removed from the site entirely. In most locations, the sediment can be used in the restoration of the river corridor. The City’s website will continue to post updates as they become available. All are welcome to learn more about the project at the upcoming Ypsilanti Fall River Day from noon to 3 PM on September 24th at Frog Island Park. |
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Ypsilanti Fall River Day
When: Sunday, September 24th 12 PM-3 PM at Frog Island Park, Ypsilanti. Enjoy fall on the Huron River at Ypsilanti Fall River Day at Frog Island Park, on Sunday, September 24, from noon to 3 PM. The event features kayak trips and free, family-friendly activities, including kids’ crafts, nature activities, and more hosted by the City of Ypsilanti Parks & Recreation Commission. Enjoy a paddle trip on the Huron River - perfect for beginner and experienced kayakers alike, equipment and transportation provided. Paddle the river as it winds through Ypsilanti into Ford Lake. Launch from Frog Island Park anytime between 12-3 PM. Catch the shuttle back to the park from a designated downstream takeout on the hour, 1-4pm. There will be basic instruction for beginners. Walk-up registration and a limited number of kayaks are available (kayak trips for a nominal fee, all other land activities are free) Join the free family fun at Frog Island Park with exhibitors and demonstrations. Learn about nature and river wildlife with the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Mobile Learning Center, or enjoy story time with the Ypsilanti District Library. Other exhibitors include the Huron River Watershed Council, Friends of the Border To Border Trail, the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner's Office, Huron Waterloo Pathways, and more! |
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Ypsilanti District Library
Michigan Avenue branch remains closed, unfortunately. We don’t know when they will open yet, but they’re updating with progress on their website here. A Colorful Dream Starting September1st until October 20th during normal business hours. A Colorful Dream is a family-friendly exhibition by contemporary fine art photographer Adrien Broom. Designed to evoke and capture a sense of childhood fantasy, Broom’s work is deeply rooted in fairy tales and mythology, taking the viewer on a journey through the entire spectrum of the rainbow. La La Land Screening on September 8th starting at 8 PM at YDL (Whittaker). Please bring a blanket and join us on the lawn for a massive outdoor, after-hours screening of the Award-winning film La La Land, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. The film is Rated PG-13. Please visit www.ypsilibrary.org for any other additional information.
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YPSI FARMERS MARKET
Visit the Ypsilanti Farmers Market in Depot Town on Saturdays from 9 AM-1 PM, adjacent to the Ypsilanti Freighthouse (100 Rice St.), running every weekend until October. Each market features seasonal produce, plants & flowers, locally raised meat & eggs, honey, jam, syrup, prepared foods, artisan jewelry and crafts, and more! The Ypsilanti Farmers Markets accepts cash, credit cards, SNAP/EBT Bridge Cards, Double Up Food Bucks, Prescription for Health, WIC Project FRESH, Senior Market FRESH, and Market Dollars. Visit the Information booth to learn more.
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Call for Body Art- Fall for Fringe Arts
Do you love your tattoos, your piercings, your body mods? Riverside Arts Center wants to celebrate your art and the artist behind it! Riverside Arts Center’s Fall For Fringe Arts is our annual fundraiser, and this year we’re celebrating art forms that have been pushed to the periphery or not seen as legitimate art. As part of our fundraising event, we’re planning a body-art gallery show. You'll be "living art" as you and others fill our gallery space, displaying your body art, and talking to guests about your work. If accepted, you’ll receive a ticket to the event, a second ticket for your artist, which includes a meal and drink voucher, and $50 compensation for your time. Deadline to submit: 9/13/23 Notification of acceptance: 9/15/23 Date of Fundraiser: 9/28/23 For more info & to submit, click here. |
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Our lesson and dance take place on the 2nd floor dance studio at Riverside Arts Center, and when you arrive you'll see a sign outside directing you to the entrance with the elevator. In the beginner lesson we will cover the basics of either East Coast Swing, Lindy Hop or Charleston, and anyone is welcome to learn the lead or the follow role regardless of gender. We typically rotate partners throughout the beginner lesson to experience dancing with a wide variety of people, but this is not required if you bring a partner and prefer not to switch. After the lesson we open up the dance floor for 2 hours of DJ'd swing tunes, in which you can practice your skills, get more individualized help from the lesson instructors and meet other dancers! Our culture is that anyone may ask anyone to dance, but that you can always say "no" for any reason. We close out the night with blues dancing from 11 PM until folks leave the dance floor!
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The Corner Health CenterThe Theatre Troupe program is a great way to get involved! On Wednesday, September 13th, from 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM. Troupe Members: - Are trained by a professional actor and director
- Learn about important health issues: healthy relationships, depression and anxiety, HIV and STI prevention
- Learn and make friends in a safe and confidential space
- Looks great on a college application or resume
- This is a paid position
- Free food included
Reach out to rannear@cornerhealth.org on how to get involved. The mission of The Corner Health Center is to inspire 12-to 25-year-olds (and their children) to achieve and sustain healthy lives by providing judgement-free, affordable health and wellness care and education.
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New Hires at the City of Ypsilanti
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Kindred Hobbs, James Parker, and Eric Tunstull II - (from left to right) Equipment Operator(s) Department of Public Services Provides tree care for city trees: pruning, disease control, planting, and stump removal; grass cutting, seeding, leaf removal, ball field upkeep and field markings, facility/play equipment repair and maintenance are all included in the upkeep of city parks; performs routine upkeep on city buildings and property locations, such as mowing and snow and ice removal; performs site cleanup, such as mowing and rubbish disposal, and private property protection as directed by the code enforcement officers. |
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Jasmine Bryant Recreation Aide at Parkridge Community Center
Provides office and administrative support to the department, helps departmental databases including in data entry, reports, and quality assurance, leads individual and small group project activities, assists staff in monitoring classrooms, tutors grade school students in reading, writing, and/or math, handles inquiries from external and internal customers, employers, agencies, and college staff regarding Parkridge Center services and programs and provide referral to additional WCC and City of Ypsilanti services as needed, serving as liaison and communication link. Maintains program files and updates them when required, assists Parkridge Center staff with preparation of daily, weekly, and monthly activities or special events, including distribution of recruitment materials. |
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Elize Jekabson Interim Planning Dept/DDA Director Planning & Development Department
As the prior director, Christopher Jacobs has moved on from this position recently, Elize will be serving as the interim director.
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Andrew Hellenga- Interim City Manager City Manager Dept As the most recent city manager, Frances McMullan has retired, Andrew is serving as the Interim City Manager. |
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