At Detroit’s Riverfront Towers, the onetime home of Rosa Parks, Aretha Franklin, and Coleman Young, residents are writing their frustration on the walls.
Civic Action Toolbox
Why it matters
Tenants in Detroit’s Riverfront Towers endure malfunctioning AC for over a month through two heat waves, risking heat-related illness while paying premium rent.
Who’s making public decisions
Detroit’s Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) issued five blight violation tickets this month against Riverfront Towers.
Upcoming Meetings
- Planning and Economic Development Standing Committee (Detroit City Council) — Jul 16, 10:00 AM · DetailsGoogle · Outlook
- Public Health and Safety Standing Committee (Detroit City Council) — Jul 20, 10:00 AM · DetailsGoogle · Outlook
- Neighborhood and Community Services Standing Committee (Detroit City Council) — Jul 23, 1:00 PM · DetailsGoogle · Outlook
Civic Actions: What You Can Do
- Attend the Public Health and Safety Standing Committee meetingThe Detroit City Council’s Public Health and Safety Standing Committee meets at 10 a.m. July 20 to discuss public health matters, such as housing conditions that affect tenant safety.
- Review BSEED blight violations and code compliance recordsThe Detroit building department has issued five blight violation tickets at Riverfront Towers; you can access and search violations at this link.
- Register to voteMake sure you’re registered and ready to vote on the issues and candidates that affect your community.
- Attend Riverfront Towers blight hearingsVirtual hearings are scheduled for Riverfront Towers’ blight tickets at 9 a.m. July 22 and 29 before the Department of Appeals and Hearings. Visit this link for information on accessing blight hearings on Zoom.
What to watch for next
Whether the city will escalate enforcement beyond $10,500 in fines to force Riverfront Towers to restore air conditioning. Riverfront Towers is scheduled for two virtual hearings with the Department of Appeals and Hearings on July 22 and 29 related to the blight tickets.
Are you taking action? Let us know.
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