It’s hard to believe it’s already March; the sun stays up longer, and warm weather is just around the corner. March is National Women’s Month, where we remember our country's and community's powerful females.

Plenty of events are happening within our community; please refer to our city calendar for updates on getting involved. If you’re looking to host a free community event, the Ypsilanti Freigthouse has a community events policy to make the space free of charge.

Fill out the form here 

Yard waste services will resume the week of April 1st, 2024

The City of Ypsilanti collects residential yard waste curbside.  Yard waste consists of grass clippings, leaves, garden material, and bundled or contained branches that are not to exceed three (3) inches in diameter or four (4) feet long. View yard waste guidelines in PDF form.  We cannot accept certain invasive plants in our yard waste collection.

Yard waste will be picked up on your recycling day. Curbside services typically begin in early April and continue through late November.   Yard waste pickup is every other week until leaf season.

  Check your schedule here

ADOPT-A-STORM DRAIN

Adopting a stormdrain is a simple way that you can help keep the Huron River clean and take care of your neighborhood at the same time! It’s simple, and there are no strict timelines so you can volunteer whenever it is convenient for you.

How can I Adopt-a-Storm Drain?

Help us restore our waterways by looking upstream to where water enters the stream system. Urban streams are not pristine environments and much of their water comes directly from roads, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks through storm drain pipes. Adopting a Storm Drain works to help keep litter, leaves, and debris out of streams and rivers. It may also help reduce illegal dumping and keep degrading substances such as oil, grease, automotive fluds, and car soap from ending up in our local waterways. Both public and private partners can take sustained action to keep storm water drains clear and clean.

ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP CAN ADOPT A STORM DRAIN!

• Homeowners or renters
• Businesses
• Schools
• Conservation organizations
• Religious groups
• Scouting programs
• Neighborhood groups

Click the link to see how to help locally.

Adopt a Storm Drain - Huron River Watershed Council (hrwc.org)

What should I do with the material I collect?

1. Recycle anything possible (plastic, aluminum, glass or steel cans).
2. Compost leaves, grass and twigs in a backyard compost bin or set out for yard waste collection if you have the City garbage and recycling service.
3. Properly dispose of trash.
4. If you see material beneath the grate of your adopted storm drains, don't try to remove the grate. Take a picture and upload it to YpsiConnect (SeeClickFix), or call the Department of Public Services so we can send a crew to identify the issue. (734) 483-1421
5. Never put anything down a storm drain. It’s for rain and melting snow only. Be a champion and spread the word with your neighbors.
6. No clippings in the streets! No leaves on the roads!

New Hires at the City

1. John Tramp - Clerk-Finance Generalist
2. Zachary Davis - Equipment Operator
3. Deon'Dre Johnson - Equipment Operator

Construction Season is Beginning

Starting Monday, March 4th, construction will resume on the Forest Street Bridge, allowing only intermittent one-way traffic (Eastbound). 

Project completion is anticipated to be in the Summer of 2024.

Please visit https://cityofypsilanti.com/892/Forest-Street-Bridge for updated information on the project status once the project resumes.

UMS Returns to the Freighthouse in April. Registration begins March 5th

The University Musical Society (UMS) and the City of Ypsilanti announces the details of its upcoming month-long residency in April 2024, featuring expanded programming for residents, families, and schoolchildren in Washtenaw County and beyond.

The April residency will feature familiar favorites such as an Open Mic Night (Fri Apr 19), the Regenerate! Orchestra (Sat-Sun Apr 27-28), two Drag Shows (Sat Apr 6), as well as new opportunities featuring partnerships with artists and organizations local to the Southeast Michigan area. A collaboration with Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti (iFFY) and Michigan’s Little Bang Theory, a trio founded by Detroit avant-garde music legend Frank Pahl, brings a silent film by Alfred Hitchcock to life with an original score (Thu Apr 11), and you can catch performances by regional artists such as Hub New Music (Thu Apr 4), Joe Reilly (Sun Apr 21), and Shigeto Live Ensemble (Fri Apr 26). A complete listing of all programs is available at the end of this release.

As part of the Freighthouse residency, UMS will continue to prioritize access for Ypsilanti residents through both early registration for free ticketed events and a pay-what-you-wish structure for live performances. Tickets and registration will be available on Tuesday, March 5, for Ypsilanti residents, and will open up to the full public on Tuesday, March 12 at ums.org.  

A full schedule of the April residency follows; find additional information and tickets at UMS.org/YpsilantiFreighthouse.

Around Town

Join the Ypsi Mental Health Squad (YMHS) for a night of activities at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse starting at 5 PM on March 15th. All are welcome to join in the neurodivergent fun. Including board games and crafts! Follow the group on Facebook

Riverside Arts Center Corner

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.

SummerWorks seeks Washtenaw County employers, mentors to invest in future workforce

Washtenaw County’s summer youth employment program seeks local employers and professionals to provide paid internships and mentorship to teens and young adults. Since 2016, SummerWorks has offered 10-week paid summer internships to adults aged 16 to 24 who live in Washtenaw County. In the past, the summer youth employment program has facilitated about 80 internship placements each year, and this year, the program aims to grow to 130 internship placements.

Daytime and overnight shelter is available in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti

Winter daytime and overnight shelter accommodations are available throughout the winter shelter season from November 13^th, 2023 – March 31^st, 2024, for any individual seeking emergency shelter during the cold winter months.

The daytime shelter is available Monday – Thursday, 8 AM – 6 PM, at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse. For a complete list of daytime warming shelter locations, please visit bit.ly/washtenaw-warming.

If you are looking for overnight shelter, please call the Delonis Center at (734) 662-2829 for location information and transportation accommodations. For a referral to the Delonis Center, please call Housing Access for Washtenaw County (HAWC) at (734) 961-1999.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact the Delonis Center/the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (SAWC) at (734) 662-2829.

Join OCED for the second annual Small Business and Procurement Fair!

SAVE THE DATE! OCED is excited to announce the 2024 Small Business and Procurement Fair!

WHEN: Friday, March 15th from 10 AM - 4 PM

WHERE: Learning Resource Center at 4135 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor (with some virtual events if unable to attend in person)

REGISTER: Please register before attending at bit.ly/sbf-2024

The Small Business and Procurement Fair aims to connect small business owners in all stages with resources to help grow and support their business. There will be several exciting vendors and a panelist discussion. To learn more and see a full list of vendors, please visit bit.ly/sbf-24release 

Questions? Please email Cheranissa Williams at williamsch@washtenaw.org