City, community groups and business partners launch recruitment drive for Motor City Makeover

2023
  • Citywide annual cleanup and beautification effort scheduled for three Saturdays in May 
  • Concerted beautification efforts include doubling number of flowers given to residents 

 

Mayor Mike Duggan, the Department of Neighborhoods, community and business partners kicked off Motor City Makeover, the City of Detroit’s annual cleanup and beautification effort, with beautification being central to this year’s program. The City will distribute 90,000 flowers (more than 2000 flats), more than doubling the number of flowers distributed to residents last year.  

The kickoff announcement took place today at the Evergreen Block Club Garden on Evergreen at Sawyer on Detroit’s west side. 

The City is calling on residents, community organizations, business owners and students to join the effort to clean and beautify the city the first three Saturdays in May.  Organizers are emphasizing the need for residents to register to get a limited supply of bags and gloves and to receive the flowers. Cleaning will take place by districts on:   

May 6 - Districts 1, 2 and 3  

May 13 - Districts 4 and 5  

May 20 - Districts 6 and 7  

Volunteers can sign up at www.motorcitymakeover.org, or by calling (313) 224-4415.  

"Motor City Makeover has been successful over the years as a result of the partnership between the City, our residents and sponsors,” said Mayor Duggan. “We want to continue the momentum and focus more on beautifying our city. This is just one aspect of concerted effort to move from blight to beauty.” 

In addition to the citywide cleanup, the City will focus on: 

Summer/Fall Cleanup Efforts with Community Groups  The City will provide bags and gloves and arrange for pickup of debris for groups with cleanup projects outside of May.  

Ongoing Promoting Recycling  The Department of Public Works will provide a free recycling container to residents who attend a recycling workshop or take the recycling quiz on the City’s Web site at www.detroitrecycles.org.    

SPONSORS AND DONORS 

The City is receiving financial and in-kind donations. The Rocket Community Fund, the philanthropic partner of Rocket Companies which manages volunteer engagement and giving for Rocket Companies, is the top Motor City Makeover sponsor with its $7500 financial donation.   

“The Motor City Makeover is a remarkable opportunity for those who are passionate about our hometown of Detroit to take a direct role in making it even more beautiful and vibrant,” said Trina Scott, Vice President of Civic and Community Affairs for Rocket Companies. “We are proud to invest in Motor City Makeover as a continuation of our commitment to the city of Detroit and its residents.” 

The top in-kind sponsors include: GFL Environmental and Major Contracting.  Any organization or company that would like to donate to Motor City Makeover should call (313) 224-3400.  

2022 MCM BY THE NUMBERS  

  •  Individual Volunteers – 5300 Volunteers  
  • Tons of Trash Collected – 693 Tons 
  • Number of Locations Cleaned – More than 450

HOW TO GET INVOLVED 

Individuals and community groups must register with the City of Detroit Department of Neighborhoods (DON) in order to receive a limited supply of bags, gloves and flowers, as well as information regarding special pickups of brush, tires, bagged litter and roll-off containers. Debris will only be collected from pre-established locations.                  

Individuals and groups are encouraged to:  

  • Register online at www.motorcitymakeover.org or call (313) 224-4415 to join the effort.  
  • Clean around their neighborhood, business, house of worship, or school on their designated Saturday.  
  • Organize their neighbors, members or employees for a massive cleanup or to board up vacant homes. Volunteers can indicate where they will clean or do board-ups when registering or call (313) 224-4415 for a location. 
  • Beautify their area by planting flowers, plants, or trees, or by removing graffiti, etc. 

Bulk Drop-Off Locations In addition, volunteers may take bagged litter to any of the drop-off locations listed below, which will be open on the Saturday cleanup dates. The limit is two cubic yards or 1,000 pounds.  No construction materials or debris accepted at Davison and Southfield yards.   

  • Davison Yard - 8221 West Davison, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.  
  • Southfield Yard - 12255 Southfield Road, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • J. Fons Transfer Station - 6451 E. McNichols, 8 a.m. – noon.  Construction materials accepted for a fee.