Rx Kids Now Open for Registration

Rx Kids has launched in the City of Ypsilanti! This means all pregnant residents are eligible to receive $1500 during pregnancy and $500 each month throughout their baby’s first 6 months of life.

Those who qualify to start receiving support must reside within the City of Ypsilanti, be at least 16 weeks pregnant, or have an infant that was born on or after December 1st, 2025.

First launched in Flint in 2024, Rx Kids is a program driven by research that shows how young families thrive when given direct cash support. Families are often at their most vulnerable point during pregnancy and their baby’s first few months of life. Unconditional, direct cash support has been demonstrated to improve early childhood outcomes, increase access to medical care, and improve parental wellbeing.

You can click here to learn more about Rx Kids and to apply today! You can also click here to view the city's page answering common questions about the program.

Cast Ye Vote for the Good Ol'DDA Holiday Storefront Competition!

The city’s Downtown Development Authority is bringing back the beloved Holiday Storefront Competition to the Downtown, Depot Town, and West Cross districts.

Local businesses are being encouraged to decorate their windows and storefronts for the holiday season, and they need you to vote for your favorite display!

A small prize will be given to the most popular storefronts, and people can vote in the following categories:

Best Overall Display
Best Lighting Display
Best Traditional Display
Most “Ypsi” Display
Most Inclusive Display
Most Engaging Display

QR codes will be placed on each participating business’s storefront that people can scan to vote. Voting will begin on Friday, December 5^th and continue through Sunday, January 4^th.

Come out and support your favorite DDA business!

Need Gift Ideas? The DDA Has Got You Covered

The Downtown Development Authority has created the Ypsilanti DDA Community Card, allowing you to gift your loved ones the ability to experience their favorite Ypsi retailers, restaurants, and entertainment all from one card!

The Ypsilanti DDA Community Card can be used at all participating locations throughout Downtown, Depot Town, and West Cross.

All you need to do to bring some holiday cheer is click here to make your purchase, select how much you would like on your card, and then start spending!

A Morning with the Sweeper

We recently rode along with Rob Gillespie, one of the city’s heavy equipment operators, on the city’s new street sweeper!

For Gillespie, the work is straightforward, but so is its purpose.

“This part, you got to get the gutter pan,” said Gillespie during the morning ride, “To make sure everything is clean for the gutter and the drains, because you can get a buildup on the drains, and sometimes the drain can get clogged up and it can cause a flood in the road.”

While making his way down several streets, he highlighted the importance of residents doing their part to keep leaves off the streets and away from storm drains, along with keeping debris, such as branches and trash, off the road.

“I know a lot of people, when they see me, they wave, and they are very thankful,” said Gillespie. “I’m just happy to do this service for them.”

Click here to watch the full video make with Rob Gillespie on the city’s social media!

Reminders for Snow and Ice

In case you missed it, the snow is here! That means we all must do our part to keep our sidewalks and roads clear.

Please remember to:

Clear snow from your property’s sidewalks within 24 hours of accumulating 1 inch of snow or more
Apply salt and clear ice from sidewalks and private parking lots as soon as possible
Move your vehicles, trash/recycling bins, or yard waste off the street when snow and ice are in the forecast, so DPW crews can plow and salt the roads most effectively. Remember: It is unlawful to move snow from your property onto the road.
During snow emergencies, parking is not permitted on city streets with signage that marks them as snow routes. Click here to sign up for Washtenaw County’s emergency notification system to receive alerts!
Read more helpful wintertime tips from DPW by clicking here

Streetlights out? Let the right people know!

We do not want anyone to be left in the dark with ice and snow, which is why it is important to let someone know when streetlights go out!

Streetlights outages are handled by DTE, and reporting outages on their site is the fastest way to make sure they receive service: https://outage.dteenergy.com/outdoor-lights

Simply type in the address, select the correct streetlight(s), and then click “Report This Light.” For further questions, you can call DTE’s Community Lighting Group at 800-548-4655.

Ypsilanti Senior Center Reopening

Programming plans to return to the Ypsilanti Senior Center in January!

Located at Recreation Park, a water main break caused the senior center to be closed since the spring. After months of repairs and renovation, the building is finally ready to welcome back the community.

Some highlights to look out for at the start of 2026 include:

Bingo games returning to the center starting Wednesday, January 14^th. Facilitated by volunteer Deb P., the group plays at twenty-five cents a card, or $1 for Cover-all.
Tentatively starting in January 2026, a computer will be available for members to use with guidance from staff. Members will be able to use the computer to check health resources, email, or find information for different topics. An ID and membership at the Ypsilanti Senior Center are required to access the computer.
Gentle-Fitness is starting January 19th. A fun stretching and seated exercise class will be held on Mondays and Fridays from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.
Crafting classes expected to resume on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and Friday afternoon 2-4 pm. More details will be announced in the YSC January 2026 newsletter.
Beginning Crochet Class is expected to start January 13^th from 1 to 2:30 pm. Men can crochet too!

Anyone looking for more information about programming and how to volunteer with YSC can contact them at 734-483-5014 or at info@ypsiseniorcenter.org.

Those looking to become members can contact Sarah McKinney at sarahmckinney@ypsiseniorcenter.org.

Celebrate the Holidays with YSC

The Ypsilanti Senior Center is inviting its members to their annual Winter Holiday Party, though this year there will be a special sentiment.

Executive Director Monica Prince will be retiring after December 19th, and YSC will be celebrating her years of service to our city. The event will be held on December 18^th from 10 am to 2 pm at Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 E Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor.

Those looking to attend are asked to RSVP by December 10^th. Please email jasmine@ypsiseniorcenter.org or joyce@ypsiseniorcenter.org to RSVP or leave your name and phone number in a message at 734-483-5014.

Experience Ypsilanti's Christmas Past

The community is invited to the Ypsilanti Historical Museum for their Annual Christmas Party. The event is open to the public, and guests will have the ability to walk through a historic home, decorated to capture the holiday magic.

Celebrate the holidays by visiting Ypsilanti's 19th Century on Sunday, December 14^th from 2-5 pm at 220 N. Huron Street. Refreshments will be served!

Congratulations to the Youth Mini Grant Recipients!

At the Tuesday, November 18^th City Council meeting, the City of Ypsilanti awarded $10,000 in mini grants to support the young people across the city.

Each fiscal year the city allocates $10,000 to benefit the youth of the city, and this year funds were awarded to 826michigan, the Ypsilanti Youth Athletic Association, and the Washtenaw International Theater.

Awarded $3,750, 826michigan provides customized writing and tutoring programs that have benefited more than 50,000 Ypsilanti-area students since 2005. The organization partners with public schools to hold free in-school writing programs, after-school programs, and literary-focused field trips. With the funds awarded from the city, 826michigan plans on continuing Teen Leadership Labs, a program that creates paid arts-education positions for high school students, providing opportunities to mentor their younger peers and gain skills for future careers.

Ypsilanti Youth Athletic Association, Youth Mini Grant Recipient

The Ypsilanti Youth Athletic Association was awarded $3,750 and will use the funds toward continuing the Ypsilanti Braves Youth Football and Cheer program, which serves more than 150 boys and 50 girls each season. Established in 1971, the Ypsilanti Youth Athletic Association uses sports to promote mental health, confidence, self-awareness, fitness, nutrition and mentorship through teamwork and coaching.

Washtenaw International Theater, Youth Mini Grant Recipient

The Washtenaw International Theatre received $2,500, and plan to purchase new audio equipment, including a rack-mounted sound mixer, enabling students to gain experiences in sound design and managing live productions.

Delivering the theatre curriculum at the Washtenaw International High School and Middle Academy, they produce theatre productions, a one-act play festival with student directors, along with hosting an improv and Drama Club, serving around 100 students throughout the school year.

The application window for Youth Mini Grants begins on July 1 of each year. Applications are accepted until September 30. Those interested in applying for future mini grants can learn more here: https://cityofypsilanti.com/677/Youth-Mini-Grant.

Volunteers at Candy Cane Park Volunteer Workday

Thank You Volunteers!

Thank you to everyone who came out for our Candy Cane Park Volunteer Workday!

Staff from the city’s Department of Public Works were joined by groups from Eastern Michigan University, the University of Michigan, and other local volunteers.

Alongside staff from Department of Public Works, they focused on removing overgrown trees and brush around the tennis court – and removed invasive plants! Trees were also trimmed, and litter was picked up throughout the park.

Thank you to our volunteers and keep an eye on the city’s social media for future volunteer opportunities!

Dark Sky Ordinance - Example of compliant lighting

What to Know About the New Dark Sky Ordinance

The city’s new Dark Sky Ordinance went into effect on November 20th. So, what does that mean? Well, we’re glad you asked!

This new ordinance is meant to minimize light pollution by making sure lights are directed downward where light is needed in the city, rather than allowing light to spill upward and onto neighboring properties.

The Dark Sky Ordinance applies to all outdoor lighting, and any indoor lights meant to be visible from outside, that have been installed or replaced after November 20^th, 2025.

Outdoor lighting that was installed before November 20^th will still be considered legal and can remain in place until one of the following occurs:

The city determines the lighting causes glare
Light trespasses onto neighboring properties
Issues with safety
The property undergoes significant changes that require site plan review
The light fixture is replaced

Mitigating light pollution to preserve a natural nighttime environment has several benefits, such as: Helping the natural production of sleep hormones, preserving conditions for nocturnal critters, enhancing the city’s historical features, promoting efficient energy usage, and preserving the night sky.

General Requirement Overview:

Color temperature: Fixtures may not exceed 3000 Kelvin
Fixture type: All lights, unless exempted, must be fully shielded, fully cut off, and directed downward
Spillover: Lighting may not exceed 0.5 lumens per square foot at the property line. Lighting may not exceed 8 lumens per square foot for buildings built on or built to the lot line
Illumination levels: Areas requiring outdoor lighting must provide at least 0.3 lumens per square foot, but no more than 15 lumens per square foot at ground level
Glare Control: Glare must be prevented from reaching nearby properties or streets
Motion-activation: Allowed if kept in good working order and not triggered by movement beyond the property line

Flashing, blinking, or oscillating lights are prohibited under the ordinance, along with outlining windows with LED strips, neon, or similar lighting if they cause glare, light trespass, or is visual clutter inconsistent with the neighborhood character,

Lighting not included in this ordinance includes light fixtures required by another legal authority, temporary lights approved by the city for events and festivals, seasonal or ornamental lighting, and historic light fixtures designated by the Historic District Commission.

Click here to view the full fact sheet about the Dark Sky Ordinance and click here for a fun information video featuring City Planner Joshua Burns and the Smeat Frog!

Holiday and Winter Administrative Closure

City Hall and all other city administrative offices will be closed from December 24th through the weekend of January 2nd.

We hope all residents have a safe and enjoyable holiday season, and we will look forward to reopening on Monday, January 5th.

Trash & Recycling Collection

There will be no trash or recycling pickup on Christmas Day – Thursday, December 25. Collection will be one day behind on Friday.

There will also be no trash or recycling pickup on New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1. Collection will be one day behind on the following Friday.

Christmas Tree Pickup

Though we are all still gearing up for the holidays, it never hurts to plan ahead! DPW will be happy to take your Christmas Trees off your hands and make sure they are disposed of properly.

DPW will be out collecting trees on Friday, January 9^th, and Friday, January 16^th. Simply leave your tree out on your curb and they will be collected as our crews make their rounds!