Good evening
Everyone.
Oh, I know you can make more noise than that.
Good evening everyone. Good evening. Much better.
Give yourself a big round of applause for coming out
for the first inaugural our mayor, Lori Stones,
state of the city address.
My name is Olu Jabari.
I'm one of the community outreach directors
along with Rhonda Hall.
We are happy you are here.
There are folks who are tuning in on TV Stream Live Warren,
and we welcome you as well.
Just wanted to let you know
that this is gonna be something exciting.
We're glad you're here, and we look forward
to you supporting what the city of Warren does.
And now I'm gonna bring up the president
of the Warren City Council.
For the last five years, she's been in the city of Warren,
doing some good in the Warren neighborhood.
So let's give a big round of applause for Ms. Angela Roe.
Good Evening everyone.
So first and foremost, I wanna say go Tigers.
Huge fan of Detroit sports and a underdog.
So, uh, last I heard it was one zero
Oscar, is that still the score?
Okay, one zero. So, uh, thank you so much
for joining us tonight, uh, for the state of the city.
It's truly a privilege to stand here as president
of the city council and to have the opportunity
to introduce, uh, mayor Lori Stone.
Before we begin, um, I also wanted to note that
we have been not only, uh, on the sports, uh, spotlight,
but Warren is, uh, ground zero for the up
and coming presidential campaign.
We've had, uh, uh, president
and uh, vice president candidate, uh, coming tomorrow
through, uh, Warren and our police department.
And the whole administration has been a tremendous job
to make sure everyone, uh, attends those events safely.
So just wanted to, to give us a pat on the back,
but also thank our first responders and,
and public servants.
As we gather tonight, we celebrate more than just the
achievements and progress of our city.
We are here to recognize the collective power
of our community, united by a common purpose.
The theme Mayor Stone picked out
for tonight is working together for Warren,
which reflects an essential truth about what it takes
to make a city, uh, thrive.
Working together is not an easy task.
Uh, most people here
that work within the city would be able to reflect that.
Uh, we have various perspectives, priorities,
concerns about approach, all make it even more complicated
to march together for the common good.
However, we continue to prevail.
Barack Obama once said, we may not be able
to stop all the evil in the world,
but I know that how we treat one another in government
and beyond is entirely up to us.
Democracy is hard work
and I feel eternally grateful
to be an active participant in it.
Success is never the work of one individual, one department,
or one administration.
It's a result of all of us residents, business owners,
city employees, and elected officials coming together.
In my time on city council, I have seen firsthand how
powerful it can be when we join forces
to tackle community problems, whether it's responding
to emergencies, addressing infrastructure needs,
or launching community programs.
It's the partnerships we build
that enable us to make a difference.
And as the third largest city in Michigan,
Warren faces unique opportunities
and challenges to meet them.
We must lean on each other,
respect each other's perspectives,
and collaborate with open minds and open hearts.
And so we look to the future, uh, as we look to the future.
Let us remember that each of us has a role
to play in making more and the best it can be.
Let us pledge to work together to listen, to act,
to support one another
because when we come together,
there's nothing we can't accomplish.
Before I, uh, introduce our, uh, fearless leader,
I do wanna acknowledge my two city council, uh, colleagues
that are here tonight, vice President Melody McGee,
And, uh, my esteemed colleague,
council member Jonathan Lafferty,
both of whom I call colleagues and friends.
With that, it is my great honor to introduce, uh,
introduce a leader who believes in the power of unity
and who has dedicated herself to the growth
and prosperity of our city.
Please join me in welcoming our mayor, Lori Stone.
Good evening and thank you.
Thank you for joining me for the 2024 State of the city
and thank you to all the local restaurants that
provided a little sampling of what is
uniquely worn about the flavor of worn so many yes,
So many good things happening in our city.
It is my distinct honor
and provide, uh, pride to be
serving the community that elected me, who I work
for tirelessly every day.
To provide an overview of the state of the city
as one aspect of transparency
and accountability in government.
Tonight's event is located here at Warren Community Center,
free and open to the public.
We worked to reduce barriers and make it an inclusive event.
When I was elected nearly a year ago, I committed
to work together to make Warren a better place to live,
work, play, and grow.
Working together looks like empowering departments
to collaborate and find solutions.
Working together looks like finding common ground
with city council to address city needs
and services, such as agreeing on a city assessor
and collectively coming up with a budget
that will work well for our community.
Working together looks like reaching out across levels
of government, county, state,
and federal to identify funding revenue sources to assist
and funding community jacks.
When I set forth my commitment to the community was
to produce a fiscally responsible budget.
Fix roads, pipes and everything in between.
Invest in a safer city, revitalizing parks
and record variation, fueling our economy and ecosystem
and environmental sustainability.
The first task was to build a team.
Starting by restructuring the mayor's office,
I named Christina LOI as my chief of staff.
Christina brings skills
and experiences that compliment my own
and as a resident, she is invested in
improving our community.
Next was assembling a dynamic team
to address constituent services.
Judy, Aisha, and Pat.
They're the ones who will greet you at the window,
answer your calls and emails, help solve problems,
research solutions, direct requests
to the appropriate departments,
and connect residents with resources.
They keep myself informed on the needs of the community.
And my time in the state legislature prepared me
for the importance of providing outstanding
constituent services that our community has come to expect.
Our office has developed a system for handling casework
and we receive well over 300 requests
for assistance in a month.
We couldn't de deliver on those requests without the amazing
leadership and the awesome dedication of our city employees.
Not to mention all the other daily operations
of the mayor's office, organizing commission appointments
and communicating city business to city council.
Another essential function in the mayor's office is
community outreach.
Effective government is the result of community engagement
and participation.
Rhonda and Ulu are responsible for organizing events
to engage residents, connecting with businesses,
creating opportunities to build awareness, educate
and inform residents working together.
They have organized 14 listening session events on policy
priorities push a police commissioner search
and ways of better serving or senior residents.
They've also organized events celebrating Black History
Month, Asian American Heritage Month.
They've organized a skilled trades fair, not
to mention tonight's event with the mayor's office
reorganized in a way that works for our administration.
It was time to build a team of department heads.
This included a change in culture, breaking down silos
and ending isolation.
Empowering DI department heads to work together
to address city needs
and to communicate openly with city council
so council could then make their decisions.
Well-informed. I took the time to visit
and understand the functions of each department as well as
what was working anywhere.
That they're identifying anywhere that there are challenges
and identifying the leaders with a common purpose
for providing residents the best of services
and being responsible stewards of our tax dollars.
Now department heads meetings are filled with energy,
enthusiasm, and a continuous drive for improvement.
I am all about the celebrations.
So I ask our departments to provide statistics
and accomplishments from so far this year.
And as I composed the state of the city,
I had the realization that if I included a comprehensive
overview of each department, we may easily be here
for three hours and I was advised to keep it under one.
So instead I'm exploring ways
to feature each department on either social media
or through a citizens academy
that would provide residents the opportunity
to visit city departments
and take a deeper dive into city services.
Well, we are well underway. I am not done building a team.
There are key positions that we continue to work to fill.
Serving the third largest city in Michigan requires
qualifications that are equal to the demand
of these rigorous positions.
Working together includes restoring relationships across
communities and organizations that have been severed.
I cannot begin to convey the number of times, uh,
I've been received with appreciation
for having worn in the room.
Will many community members expect the transition be
of administrations to be as quick as a flick
of a light switch when act?
In all actuality, it's more like turning a steamship
while putting people in place.
We also worked to establish policies and procedures.
During my election campaign, there were several themes
that were evident through repeated
conversations in our community.
Several areas of priorities came up again
and again, public safety, parks
and recreation, economic development, roads
and infrastructure and environmental sustainability.
Early in the transition, I recognized the need
to establish community expectations.
Through community engagement,
my team organized a listening tour To focus on each
of these topics, they would create the opportunity
for community members to express their concerns, questions,
hopes and expectations.
Elected officials, department heads we're all invited to sit
and listen to residents
so their thoughts would be incorporated into
solutions and responses.
I recognize that while community conversations had been a
community engagement tool, I utilized routinely
during my time in the legislature,
warn residents were not used to community engagement
for input feedback to local government.
Many expressed that they were used
to not feeling heard or listened to.
And in part of leadership, my philosophy of listen, learn,
lead, the first step is listen.
Don't presume to know the needs of communities wants
until first seeking to understand, for example,
take environmental sustainability.
If the community's expectation is preserving
and restoring green space
and the government instead offers electric vehicle charging
stations, the community may very well be disappointed.
While electric vehicle changing charging stations
are consistent with environmental sustainability,
it would be a failure of meeting community expectations.
But working together, we gather people ask questions
and listen and some IE some ideas were easy to implement.
Others will require larger funding sources or organization
or organizational change to implement.
Overwhelmingly, our priority in our
community is public safety.
I am so proud to feature our fire department
and our police department this evening so far
it in just nine months.
The statistics include
15,726 total incidents.
11,111 are medical emergencies,
which is why our fire department,
our firefighters are cross-trained as paramedics
and we provide EMS rigs at each of our stations.
242 responses to Fire Suppressions
592 motor vehicle accidents,
1,149 additional service calls.
The Warren Fire Department is currently fully staffed
with 142 positions filled.
This is made possible
through an innovative grow your own fire cadet program
that hires firefighter candidates, sponsors
and supports them through the academies
and preparation for earning their license.
They get on the job experience and the fire stations
and successfully have served two cohorts.
WARN Fire has also submitted their five year evaluation
conducted by ISO.
The insurance service organization ISO is important
because it evaluates our fire department,
our water main systems, and our emergency dispatch center.
This evaluation is used by insurance agencies
to set your insurance rates for both commercial
and residential properties by having good response times
and, uh, essential equipment improves outcomes
and in the long run, it saves community members dollars.
Exciting, a long and weighted groundbreaking
for fire stations one and five on December 21st, 2023.
These are two stations that are roughly 70 years old
and in much need of some additional elbow room
construction on Fire station one experienced some setbacks,
but it is now on its way.
Construction of fire station five got a head start
and definitely is an example of what to expect of what
to come in addition
to building two new fire stations are existing
for other fire stations received 1.2 million in
refurbishment by replacing driveways front
and rear approaches as well as parking lots.
And the fire administration building was
renovated and updated.
Warren Fire Department received a $455,000 grant
to provide firefighters with a second set of turnout gear.
This is so important to the health
and wellbeing of our firefighters.
It reduces exposure to carcinogens, uh,
by providing a change of gear so after fires
or chemical exposures, they can wash their gear
before they have to wear it again.
In addition to turnout gear,
some essential equipment which costs $1.2 million
was invested to replace the self-contained
breathing apparatus.
The department also took receipt
of some long weighted vehicles
and equipment, including our new Quint fire truck, June
of 2024,
and the state of, uh, of the art training equipment
that you see here, which was put into use,
it is only the 126th of this equipment in the world.
The mobile adjustable, reusable,
and multifaceted equipment allows training
to replicate a variety of real world conditions
that would be encountered in the field.
This apparatus will allow our department
to be better equipped and better prepared.
In addition, Warren Fire Department paramedics were
recognized with American Heart Association's Gold Award
for the ninth consecutive year demonstrating success
and implementing the highest level of pre-hospital care
with the most up-to-date evidence-based treatment guidelines
to improve patient care
and outcomes by identifying heart attacks
and cerebral vascular stroke patients
warn residents experiencing serious health emergencies have
the best chance for good outcomes.
Our fire department specializations require
continuous training.
Firefighter paramedics are there prepared
to participate in highly specialized rescues.
They operate technology such as drones
that can provide information about structure fires,
emergencies before they even get to a scene.
Wor fire has members with experience in flood rescue
that has responded to national disaster as recently
as Hurricane Helene.
I'm very proud to know the level
of skill at the Warren Fire Department in encompasses.
We're so proud of you
And what's without a little friendly rivalry
because our Warren Police Department is
equally distinguished.
They have earned their re-accreditation
by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police,
Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Program
accreditation is a prestigious rec recognition
that reflects the ongoing commitment
to maintaining the highest standards
of law enforcement accountability and community service.
Warren Police Department is dedicated to serving
and protecting our community with integrity
and professionalism among our ranks.
Our police officers distinguish them every day
with everyday acts of heroism,
but several have rose with their acts to be recognized.
Three officers were recognized
as 2024 police officers of the year.
Corporal Dan Rose, officer David Chapman
observed an 8-year-old receiving a ch a shock
from a down power line.
Officers rushed
to help the unconscious child laying in the street
with still live power lines hanging above him.
Upon seeing a child in danger, officer Rose made a brave,
selfless and courageous decision
to crawl under the downed line
and pull the child out of harm's way.
Officer Chapman assisted by grabbing a hold of the child
and pulling them clear of the power lines.
Officers transported the child in the patrol car
so he could receive the medical attention he needed
as quickly as possible.
If not for the quick thinking
and heroic actions, this child may not be here today.
Officer Brendan Frazier,
while performing routine traffic enforcement
observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed
and once he implemented a traffic stop, he,
he noticed a driver frantically flagged him down
and exclaimed that his 18 month old
nephew was not breathing.
Officer Frazier remained calm
and immediately took charge of the situation
by performing back blows to clear the child's airway.
After few tense moments,
the child began to breathe on his own.
The child was rushed to Ascension Hospital
and by the next day it was medically cleared and released.
Officer Frazier acted decisively, empathetically,
and heroically to save a life
And those acts of heroism don't end there.
Additional six Warren police, police officers were honored
by the Hundreds Club of Detroit
with prestigious valor awards for heroic acts,
including the actions of Officer Brenda Frazier.
Um, officers Ruski
and Dinkle were dispatched to the residence of a worn.
Um, regarding a domestic disturbance, the caller reported
that a family member on scene was assaulting other
member family members.
Sergeant Walowitz arrived shortly
after an armed suspect aggressively advanced toward officers
brandishing a handgun.
Officers stopped the armed threat, handcuffed the SU suspect
and Sergeant Walowitz began performing CPR
until the warn fire department could transport the suspect
to the hospital officers Burke
and Smith responded
to a nine one one call reporting a stabbing.
Upon arriving at a scene quickly, officers
recognized the victim was bleeding profusely from
multiple penetrating stab wounds in his arm.
Officers Burke and Smith rendered first aid
by applying a tourniquet to stop bleeding.
They kept the victim calm, gathered information
until the arrival of the wor fire department
emergency room Staff informed detectives that the quick
and proper application of a tourniquet
undoubtedly saved the victim's lives.
So many things are called upon our officers
to do on a daily basis.
Warren Police Department utilizes innovative training
techniques including, uh,
implementing a driver's training simulator.
Responding to calls for assistance requires drivers
to be highly trained and knowledgeable about the laws.
Warren Police Department brings an an Oakland Community
College's law enforcement training equipment regularly
to reinforce best practices and skill refreshment.
This is one more tool Warren has to prepare officers
to anticipate conditions when
that they will encounter in the field.
During police week, our we
as a community gather round to offer honor
and remembrance, REM remembrance
and peer support, while allowing law enforcement survivors,
citizens, the and citizens the opportunity to gather
and pay homage to those who gave their lives
and the line of duty.
And don't forget our fear.
Fierce free officers,
including can retired canine officer cantor
not long after retirement.
Can nine Officer Cantor received a cancer diagnosis
with the potential for treatment.
The department and the community rallied
to support the health of an officer that served
to keep our community safe.
We all wish Cantor a speedy recovery.
Cantor is lovingly cared for by Officer Hofer
and his family, Warren Police Department also welcome
their newest canine officers, rip Vinny and Diesel.
In addition to our department's,
citizens play an important role in public safety safety.
Here in Warren Citizens have the opportunity
to participate in a Citizens Police Academy
to walk in the shoes of our officers
and what they experience every day.
We also offer a Junior Detectives Academy
for our young people
who may be interested in a career pathway
or just understanding better.
In addition, public safety includes community emergency
response team that augments our department services
by being able to help, um, when we have down power lines due
to storms, to secure accident scenes, as well
as to help out with parades
and, uh, the safety
of large events as well.
We also have a crime commission that is comprised
of residents that serve as an advisory body
and liaison between the Warren Police Department.
They share concerns about what they encounter and activity
and trends in their community.
They learn about the latest happening in the police
department and they volunteer at community events
to share important information about safety.
They host guest speakers on public safety issues
and host town halls to educate
and bring awareness to residents.
We are so appreciative to have them.
Warren Police Works.
Toga worked together with the mayor's office,
city council members Crime Commission chaplains
to participate in some community policing outreach
for the purpose of building relationships
and partnerships in the community for prevention
and incre of incremental activity.
And this will continue to grow robustly.
This was a provi, a priority
that our community members expressed.
And when two children in our communities were
grievously injured by accidental discharge
of firearms in a home, I worked together
with the police department and invited in.
Be smart to educate community on the requirement
for safe storage by responsible firearm owners,
especially when children are present
and we can help to make our community a little safer
by providing gun locks free of charge.
We also have a long standing tradition of coming together
and offering a public safety day.
It's fun, it's educational, it's interactive event
for community members to learn from our police
and fire departments.
Kids and community members alike get
to experience demonstrations with canine officers.
Experience a smokehouse experience that allows people
to feel what it's like to have a room filled with smoke,
reduced visibility
and practice escaping community can explore vehicles
and technology that is employed
to keep our community safe every day.
But public safety is not the only priority and Warren Parks
and Recreation is our priority.
We know that because during our listening tour stops,
it was the stop with the greatest partici
participation in community engagement.
Warren's vast network of parks are truly or city's treasure.
Community members use them every day to play and to walk.
Pavilions are regularly booked for birthday parties,
baby showers, graduation parties, business picnics
and family reunions.
They're affordable and convenient.
We have a lovely community center
and recreation centers throughout the community as well.
Number one concern we heard was access
to bathrooms and parks.
You can't pack in your kids
and your family only to have to turn
around if their basic needs aren't being met.
Hearing that our parks department responded by
experimenting, piloting automatic locks
that can unlock in the morning
and lock in the evening when the park hours are over.
We've had a lot of success
and um, we encourage any community members
that may encounter, um, problems with bathrooms
to pick up their phone, give the department a call,
they'll be there immediately to to remedy that situation.
There are a lot of good things happening.
Uh, a new experience was WARN being highlighted
and working with Detroit Tourism
and a countdown to the NFL Draft
WARN Community Center transformed into a football skills
and fun day for families in our community.
And as weather warmed up,
volunteers stepped up throughout the city, adopting parks
for cleanup and make sure Warren put our best face forward
for everyone prepared to get out and play.
We had over 100 volunteers
and several departments participate,
spread out over 29 parks.
They helped to plant 22, I'm sorry,
200 carbon capturing trees and Shaw
and Ridgewood Park, um, donated by a four H student
with an interest in making a difference in climate
sustainability for generations to come.
Understood the impact of a carbon footprint
for the third largest city in Michigan
and she chose to invest here in Warren.
Let's take a further look at our parks.
Every mile of Warren has a local park that is walkable
and can be enjoyed by the neighborhood
while having nearly 30 parks poses challenges for funding,
upkeep and maintenance.
The diversity of green spaces creates opportunities
for unique experiences creating
destination parks through our city.
Residents can go to a different park every day for a month
and have a free, fun outdoor experience.
For example, INE Park has completed phase one
of installation of a state of the art skate park.
This facility will create a safe,
inclusive skate experience in our community.
It will all, it's also expected
to attract interest regionally as well as nationally.
Phase two will boast renovations to bathrooms,
parking lot pavilion and public art.
This is a long anticipated community driven experience
that residents are anxious to enjoy.
Wegan Park renovations started in the spring of 2024.
Improvements will include restrooms, pavilion, upgrades,
new picnic areas, and a much anticipated splash pad.
Located at Topher and MacArthur.
This roughly $1.7 million project will be funded
through community development block grants
and capital improvement funds
Utilizing $600,000 from a $1.5 million enhancement grant.
Lich Park received an comprehensive renovation including new
a DA compliant place structure restoration
of a asphalt walking pay path, improvement of park drainage.
And these will complete previous renovations
to bathrooms and pavilion.
There we go. Already visitors to Veterans Memorial Park
frequently encounter disc golf players enjoying the course
and san people playing on sand volleyball courts.
The latest upgrades benefiting from 900,000 enhancement
grass funding of renovation
to replace a previous play structure
that had deteriorated from use
and time with the new a DA compliant ninja warrior styled
challenge skill features as well as a climber design
for the use of Warren's youngest residents.
Also for any pickleball players in the crowd,
veterans Memorial Park is planned to have upgrades
that include the installation of pickleball courts.
Oops,
gotta love technology.
Our much beloved Owen Jacks community center has been
reopened with programming during the day is served
as a cooling center during the summer heat wave.
Owen Jacks has also hosted a community block party working
together with consumers energy to focus on safety,
energy and fun.
For over 500 community participants, Warren Police
and Fire Departments stepped up
and joined the fund, showcasing the latest in equipment
technology and vehicles.
And Warren's birthday Bash
provided an opportunity for residents to celebrate
with live music, performance free kids area activities,
food trucks, carnival rides, a fantastic fireworks display
and the first ever drone show that delighted attendees
left them howling at the moon.
Additional improvements you can expect
to encounter throughout our city
and com include a complete renovation
to the baseball diamond restroom facilities at homage park
repair and replacement of fountain pumps
to improve the enjoyment during summer.
Fun and relief from heat at the city square fountain
and received an award of 400,000 in grant funding
for park development and renewal for Shaw Park.
With more improvements to come, our parks
and recreation department is always looking for new
and an innovative opportunities to provide entertainment.
And this year they added a city Square Street fair
where community members could enjoy the wonderful
fall weather, bringing food trucks, vendors,
and activities together to enjoy.
If you haven't paid a visit to this lovely event,
you have one more opportunity.
Wednesday, October 23rd, I applaud the innovation
of incorporating new i ideas and activities in our parks
and recreation department.
Economic development, economic development, investment
and establishment of businesses are a part
of the lifeblood of any community.
Businesses provide essential goods
and services for people living in the community.
Businesses are employers that provide jobs, income benefits,
and the standard of living.
Businesses are tax paying members of our community that fuel
and fund government investment
and roads, infrastructures,
downtown development and reinvestment.
Residents want growth instead
of stagnation investment instead of businesses leaving,
they want options and opportunities
and they would prefer to have the convenience of businesses,
shopping restaurants
and entertainment closer to home instead of leaving
to spend their money in other communities.
Warren would also love to be a destination community
where people come for entertainment, shopping and meals.
A place where fa friends
and family cannot wait to come hang out
and spend some time listening
to conversations in our community.
I think people will be pleasantly surprised to learn
that 300 commercial certificates
of compliance were issued to businesses.
And the first nine months of this year,
that is roughly one business a day
for the last 10 months, nine months.
These are new tenants, new buildings and new opportunities.
These businesses are opening in every corner
of our community and representing a vast
array of industries.
Since taking office, I've had the privilege
of celebrating grand openings, ribbon cuttings,
grand Reopenings with businesses
and wor businesses like Shad dhi Cuisine.
Shad is a delicious flavorful buffet
of Bangladeshi favorites with halal options.
Looking for somewhere
to stop on your lunch hour or family dinner.
Try Shad Speedy
clean coin laundry off of Hoover North of 12 Mile,
held their grand reopening and ribbon cutting
after completing re uh, renovations
and upgrades to their business.
It's so clean and inviting
with machines that are big enough.
I am convinced that I can fit a week's worth
of laundry in just one load.
Aerial Ariel's Furniture is located off of eight Mile.
I first met Ariel when she volunteered at a table
during the African American Heritage Month celebration.
Ariel shared that while her background was in nursing,
a personal passion, uh, for interior design
and a flare for style inspired her
to open her furniture business.
Her business had endured struggles
with construction disruptions along eight mile
a grand reopening
and ribbon cutting was one way that both
celebrating an anniversary
and the opening of the of her doors as well
as boosting visibilities for success.
We welcomed Hyatt's Pharmacy in an endeavor
to expand healthcare services
and Warren that serves the needs not only
of Bangladeshi population,
but the greater health of our community.
And they even boast prescription delivery.
Who does that these days?
Um, I had the opportunity to welcome Opera's collection,
which offers traditional Bangladeshi clothing as well
as tailoring services.
The store was named in honor of his adorable daughter, Afra.
She definitely has a fashion point of view
and loves the color black.
It welcomes pop chicken made fresh at their grand
opening and ribbon cutting.
This summer pop chicken offers chicken made fresh along
with a fusion of Asian fa fa favorites.
Pop Chicken has also added a food truck, so you never know
where you're gonna come across them.
This is just the newest tenant for the 1 6 8 group investors
that have redeveloped the property along to Qura
that was formerly Produce Palace.
Stop by and grab a pi, a bite at pop chicken
or a bubble tea r and BT stop by 88.
Bond me for authentic Vietnamese fusion inspired dishes
and check out 1 68 nail supply retail providing a wide range
of nail products and supplies.
I'm sure it won't be long
before we open the next business along.
Um, uh, der.
Recently I had the pleasure
of attending young supply companies grand opening
for their new distribution center
that was relocated to Warren.
They took a blighted property, completely renovated
and remediated it.
The new distribution center is more than four football
fields under one roof.
Young supply companies services both commercial
and residential HVAC refrigeration food service equipment
and is a part-time wholesaler.
They are proud of their new home and worn.
Economic development is not just about
new businesses and worn.
We celebrate continue invest investment and reinvestment.
My team visited GM Tech Center
to tour the Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center.
It's in, um, in order to adapt
to constant evolution in automotive
and mobility industry, GM is con conducting research
and development into improving
electric vehicle battery technology.
In addition, Warren police
and fire departments are developing a relationship, proud
to work with GM to identify opportunities
to utilize industrial buildings for training
before demolition as a campus reconfigures
to meet their needs.
What can we look forward
to in economic development in Warren?
Well, Warren's economic development director has been
working with my health on investment
and development in the Van D**e corridor.
My health is developing plans for a mixed use property
that would include urgent care, uh,
facility on the ground level with a couple floors
of residential above.
Along the lines of this artistic rendering, my health
and urgent care qualified
for 1.8 million in the revitalization
and placemaking grant from the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation.
The Downtown Development Authority purchase land
that can be used to make Warren a more walkable
and accessible community
by connecting Warren's historic village district
to the community center
with a bridge from Chicago Road across the Red Run drain,
the Army Corps of Engineers conducted a feasibility survey.
And next we are exploring grant opportunities for funding
a new community based imagining of
how our town center should be developed.
So it reflects the wants and needs of what is uniquely worn.
In order for this to be effective,
we need your participation.
A series of community meetings will be held in coming months
for residents to contribute Thoughts on
what you want to see included.
If you know of a business owner looking for a place to open,
set up shop or expand, then please refer 'em
to our economic development director.
He can help match them with locations, connect them
with federal and state economic development opportunities
that they may be eligible for, but we're not done yet.
Roads and infrastructure Warren's roads are
perhaps the most visible infrastructure in the city.
Residents work with the city by reporting potholes.
Poor road conditions and road maintenance.
Repair and conditions come with a few challenges, including
hundreds of lane miles throughout the city from primary,
secondary, and local roads.
The large expense for rehabilitation
and restoration of roads, uh, is a hefty ticket.
And so I must express my gratitude for the voters of Warren
that have committed to continuing funding road work
over the next 20 years.
Your commitment allows the city to plan projects
and funding farther out instead of piecemeal.
So thank you. Roads are a network
of responsibility when it comes to level of government
who's responsible for maintaining
and paying for improvements.
Not to mention the layers of, uh, infrastructure
underneath our roads.
Working together with city council, we have committed
to funding the underground infrastructure
as roads are replaced.
So investment in roads will not be undone
by water main breaks, as well as committing
to fund the next generation of technology for incineration
with the wastewater treatment process in order
to better educate the community
and provide answers to frequently asked questions.
City council President Angela Roy working together
with city engineer Tina Gaius delivered a Rhodes Town Hall
breaking down, uh, these essentials.
The link to this recording is still available to anyone
who missed it and is interested in learning more.
Infrastructure works best when residents don't have
to think twice about
where your water comes from or where it's going.
It's when water mains breaks
and water isn't flowing from your taps.
It's also when rain events are so intense
that they overwhelm our sewer system and cause flooding.
This year, Warren experienced three extreme rain events
so intense that it filled our underground infrastructure
faster than it could drain downstream.
But fortunately, forethought
and planning anticipated such challenges
and led to the building of the Stevens Road Retention Basin.
It is very close to being finished
and fingers crossed that it will be done
before any other significant rain events happen.
It can hold 21
and a half million gallons roughly one day's processing at
our wastewater treatment plant.
Warren will be able to divert water from sewers in order
to free up space for water from intense down pours
and create the opportunity for our sewers
to travel downstream instead of backing up into basements.
Once water levels reduce water can be pumped out
of the basin, back into the sewers
and out into our watershed.
Additional infrastructure includes hundreds of miles
of sidewalks.
The burden of being able
to fund these critical infrastructure improvements is
enduring construction that changes traffic patterns.
And I appreciate the patience
and flexibility on adapting for the safety of workers
for the continuous flow of traffic.
It is important to be aware of changing road conditions.
Environmental sustainability.
Our community recognizes
that climate changes are impacting our community in a
variety of ways, including more frequent
and intense rain events and extreme weather fluctuations.
Overwhelmingly tree canopy, native plants, butterfly gardens
and pollinators were among the priorities expressed
as desired being incorporated into city planning.
Rain gardens, bioswales, rain barrels,
reten, retention basins.
Among the asks for managing stormwater runoff,
my administration and city council are working together on
Warren's Climate Action Plan.
City Council, the mayor's office, city Departments Michigan,
DNR, uh,
Macomb County Parks are working together on implementing a
tree ordinance with the goal improving tree canopy from the
19% of current coverage.
We invite residents of Warren to join in these efforts
of planting trees.
An observance of Arbor Day and Earth Day.
The city of Warren provided 200 samplings free of charge
to residents and as part
of implementing the city's greenway plan, key members
of the administration including planning, engineering, parks
and Recreation, department of Public Works
and Councilman Noonan, were joined
by consultants from Michigan's DNR
and Macomb County Parks with backgrounds in forestry
to two locations that are public rights of way
where trees can be added.
Discussion about recommended species
that could be beneficial in our community.
The need for diversifying planting trees in order
to prevent disease and infestation.
And the first stretch of Hayes Road Boulevard between Martin
and 12 Mile was planted this spring
with 30 trees working together with second nature brands
who generously provided trees
and volunteers through their commitment
to global reforestation.
Learn has applied for roughly $225,000 in grants
to continue planting trees
and repopulating our public spaces.
If residents would like a the city to help provide a tree
for your easement at no cost to you,
please contact our Department
of Public Works Growing Tree Canopy is going
to take everyone in this city working together,
working together with Tree City USA initiative
For our 10th year, we have committed
to continuing our designation.
We are working with community leaders across the state, uh,
and I have signed onto the mayor's Monarch pledge
and delivered a pollinators proclamation committing
to proactive practices
and improvement of conditions for born's ecosystems
and our community habitats.
So when Cub Scout Troop reached out
and offered to plant a butterfly garden,
you better believe we found a patch where they could plant.
When more residents approached me with a desire to see
more native plants being incorporated into public
and private landscaping, I empowered them
to put together a proposal for what a public garden
of native plants would look like, including costs, a design
and a commitment of volunteers
to provide planting and upkeep.
Warren's first native plant garden was established on bb
and I'm so excited to see a community initiative take root
as an example to everyone else in our community.
I've recently had more residents reaching out
with interest in establishing community gardens
and other green initiatives.
Well, Warren has a ways
to go on environmental sustainability.
I'd like to think we're heading in the right
direction together.
I Above policies worn
as a place for placemaking.
In addition to, uh, conversations in our community
that have had a commitment to placemaking
where people belong, we are worn.
A uniquely worn characteristic is the incredible diversity
that doesn't just co-exist.
It is a commitment that WARN is an inclusive place to live.
We learn from each other.
We celebrate how our diversity makes us stronger.
Our community outreach team has organized, worked with,
supported, participated in events that help everyone
who calls Warren home.
Feel Heard, seen, included,
and represented, including our Martin Luther King Day
observation, A February Black History
Month celebration with community vendors, art,
and a who's who of Black history trivia.
A proclamation delivering, uh, delivered,
celebrating the inter international transgender Day
of visibility whose originator is a resident of Warren,
an Asian American heritage celebration.
Brought our community together through food,
fashion, and dance.
Our second annual observation of Juneteenth,
our first ever pride event and worn,
and not to be outdone by a Polish Day parade.
Not to mention awareness events and proclamations.
Autism awareness, gun Violence prevention,
Pitt Hopkins Syndrome.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month,
overdose Awareness Day.
Last but not least,
when a hometown team wins a state basketball
championship, we celebrate.
So congratulations
to Lincoln High School's boys basketball team.
I am proud to lead a a, a team
and to work together across a community, along the walls
or posters that represent the many departments
that are hard at work every day
for residents in our community.
I can't walk by them without thinking
of the Sesame Street Song.
Who are the people in your neighborhood?
These are the people who show up, deliver work,
deliver services, and work hard for our community every day.
And I'm proud to stand with them and work with them.
The state of our city is resoundingly resilient.
So thank you again for joining me this evening for the state
of the city for some insights on
how we are working together for Warren.
Have a wonderful evening. Thank you.