Registration Now Open for Washtenaw County Cleanup Days

Registration is now open for this year’s first Washtenaw County Cleanup Day! These events serve as opportunities to safely dispose of items such as appliances, household hazardous waste, electronics, scrap metal, furniture, and tires.

Residents can register at www.washtenaw.org/cleanup.

The first event will be held on April 4^th in Pittsfield Township from 9 am to 1 pm. Registration is required and closes one week before the event or when capacity is reached, so sign up early!

Cleanup Days will be held in locations across the county from April through November, with the event coming to the City of Ypsilanti on August 8th. Cleanup Days are free to attend, however, a donation of at least $20 is appreciated to help support these events.

Supporting Ozone House 200 Miles at a Time

At their main office off N. Huron River Drive on Monday, March 2nd, Ozone House received support in a much different fashion than what they are used to. Brendan LaFrenier came into Ypsi running – literally – and carried with him a mission that spans from the banks of the Detroit River to the expanse of Lake Michigan.

“I'm currently about 42 miles into a 200-mile run, and I'm going across state,” said Brendan, and avid runner and student at the University of Michigan, who this week ran from Detroit to Holland, raising awareness and money for homelessness as a part of Endurance for Change. “We're actually partnered with 10 different homeless shelters throughout Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing and Grand Rapids.”

Supporting Ozone House in Ypsi as a part of this project, Brendan was greeted by a DJ, and colorful signs held up by staff and local youth receiving support through Ozone House.

“Just coming here and kind of speaking to staff and clients, you can just feel how welcoming it is,” said Brendan. “It really is such a welcoming place, such a safe place, and I mean, that's what you kind of need in the fight against homelessness.”

Having been a part of the city for 57 years, Ozone House exists to house homeless and at-risk youth, including those fleeing dangerous home environments, mainly between the ages of 13 to 24-years old.

“We give housing, we give social supports, we help get them connected to apartments, we teach them how to, you know, live, how to drive, how to open a bank account and get a job, go back to school, put people back on a path towards really successful adulthood,” said Steph White, Director of Development for Ozone House.

Steph says they were impressed by the scale of Brendan’s project and are honored to be supported.

“The scope and the scale of what Brendan is doing, and the Endurance for Change, is wonderful because it not only is raising funds, but it's raising awareness,” Steph added. “The thing about homelessness that he's drawing attention to is that it is a global, systemic issue, a problem that all across the state we need to address.”

Brendan and his team are also producing a film documenting his journey across the state and educating the public on common misconceptions regarding homelessness. He explained he was aiming to run about 70 miles per day to complete his journey over three days, getting some rest at each stop and sleeping in an RV driven by his support team.

“When I'm on day two, day three of running near continuously, I need something that's bigger than myself, so just thinking about the people here, the staff, you know, my crew, all my supporters, that's what kind of keeps me going,” said Brendan.

Those looking to support Endurance for Change and Ozone House can visit www.enduranceforchange.org to donate. People have the option of donating to the Ann Arbor Region, which supports both Ozone House and the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, but can also donate to a specific shelter of their choice.

Steph White said Ozone House is always looking for new volunteers and donations to assist with their programming. People can donate cash or needed supplies, with a wish list available on www.ozonehouse.org.

2026 Snowplow Naming Contest Results

Our team at the Department of Public Works reviewed all of the 300+ snowplow names sent in by more than 220 residents, and the results are in!

After accepting submissions from February 6^th through February 13^th, staff at DPW voted on their six favorite names that will be adopted for each of the city’s six snowplows.

The winners are:

1. Mr. Plow - sent in first by Jeremiah McEwen
2. The Saltinator - sent by Morgan Wilson
3. CTRL – SALT – DELETE – sent in first by Kelly McG
4. Big LePlowski – sent in first by Katie Kwiatkowski
5. Snoow Dogg – sent by Laura Bovoletis
6. The Rainbow Express – sent by anonymous

If a name was sent in more than once, the first person who sent it in was credited. Thank you to everyone who participated, and the city looks forward to future contests, so save your ideas for next time!

Mayor Nicole Brown Sharing Ypsilanti's Story on the Big Screen

On Friday February 20^th, Mayor Nicole Brown sat down in Council Chambers, not to address council, but to share the story of our city to audiences across our county, state, and nation.

The Road Home is a documentary currently being produced by the Ann Arbor Housing Commission and Breyko, addressing the critical issues of mental health, housing insecurities, and homelessness in Washtenaw County. The film dives deep into the underlying challenges, and the importance of collaboration to find sustainable solutions.

Mayor Brown was able to sit down with the film crew to share how these issues have been felt in our city, but to also speak about the city’s unyielding character, and the determination of those working to make sure Ypsi’s story is defined by overcoming systemic obstacles.

“We are strong and have a ton of grit,” said Mayor Brown underneath the studio lights when asked to describe Ypsilanti. “It is a community that is a melting pot, that looks out for one another, that cares for one another as a whole.”

The mayor spoke on the need for increasing the housing stock for various income levels in our community, along with the wounds caused by historical disinvestment and displacement that the city has a responsibility to help heal.

“Doing the most with the least.”

For Mayor Brown, creativity and partnerships have been the driving force behind positive developments within our city, creating the most affordable housing per capita in the county, and doing heavy lifting with access to the fewest number of resources.

She highlighted several private-public partnerships, such as the recently opened Dorsey Estates, marking the first time new single-family homes have been built in the city in 50 years, with 23 market rate homes and 23 affordable homes sold below the area’s average median income. RxKids is the result of several public and private entities working together to provide a financial safety net for young families, and the current Avalon Housing project that is creating 22 new and affordable units adjacent to Downtown.

When speaking to the filmmakers, she explained that her dream is for municipalities to work together beyond their boundaries to allow for people of various incomes to continue being able to live in their own communities.

“People need to know what is happening in our communities from the voices of those who are very proximate to the issue, as well as the history and where we are trying to go,” said Mayor Brown.

You can watch the official trailer for The Road Home and visit the film’s website to follow the project!

Responsible Parking and Safe Vehicle Storage

The City of Ypsilanti is reminding residents to park responsibly, and to refrain from using public roadways for long-term vehicle storage.

Per state regulation, the City of Ypsilanti Police Department places an orange-colored notice on any vehicle that has been parked on a public roadway for a period longer than 48-hours. After receiving notice, the vehicle must be moved within the next 48 hours or else it will be considered abandoned and stored at the owner's expense. Read on what to do if you need to retrieve a towed vehicle.

Recreational vehicles are also not allowed to be parked on public roadways, and must be stored in an enclosed building, or within a front, rear, or side yard. Any recreational vehicle parked or stored on public roads for more than 48 hours will receive an Improper Parking Citation.

Questions regarding parking enforcement should be directed to the YPD Parking Division at 734-483-9510.

Roadways must be kept with minimal obstructions for drivers, first-responders, Public Works staff, and those providing necessary services for our residents. We appreciate your understanding and willingness to help keep our streets safe. 

View public parking locations and available parking permits.

Open Positions at the City of Ypsilanti!

Accounting Supervisor

This position involves supervising a small staff of high-level clerical employees, overseeing the accounts receivable, the accounts payable, payroll processes, and assisting in monitoring the financial operation of the City. 

The ideal candidate has a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field from an accredited college or university and five years of experience in an accounting position, or any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Click here to learn more about other open positions and to submit an application!