Detroit City Briefs

DETROIT CITY COUNCIL SELECTS NEW COUNCIL DISTRICT MAP




After several public hearings on four proposed City Council district maps, the Detroit City Council has selected the third of the four proposed maps. The chosen map can be viewed online at www.detroitmi.gov.



Detroit residents will vote on council members by districts in 2013 for the first time since 1918. Voters will elect seven council members by district and two at large.

City officials said they followed three criteria in creating the proposed maps: Districts had to be of equal populations, be compact and contiguous, and not split any ethnic groups clustered within the city.



Last year, voters approved a City Charter calling for City Council representation by district. The revised charter took effect January 1, 2012.





MAYOR DAVE BING ANNOUNCES NEW DDOT CEO AND DEBUT OF NEW BUSES



Mayor Dave Bing announced the appointment of new Detroit Department of Transportation CEO Ron Freeland and debut of the newest buses to the DDOT fleet.



Freeland previously served as a senior executive and board chair of various bus, ports and rail systems in Maryland and Virginia and worked in New York and California.



These new buses – made in America by the Gillig Company – are part of DDOT’s newest fleet of 46 buses, which began arriving Jan. 30. Drivers are being trained to drive the new buses, which are being prepped for service and will be integrated into the existing fleet over the next several weeks.





DETROIT RECREATION CENTERS OFFER LEARN TO SWIM PROGRAM



Don't swim but would love to learn how? The Detroit Recreation Department is currently offering Learn to Swim Programs at five recreation centers. The cost for the 10-week session is $10 for two, one-hour sessions per week beginning March 26 through June 1. Please call the various centers listed below for the Learn to Swim Program days, times, and ages. Note: For each of the participating centers, swim lessons are offered during adult swim for 18 years and older upon request, and annual center membership is required for all ages.



Adams Butzel, 10500 Lyndon - 628-0990

5-6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday

17 and under



Kemeny, 2260 S. Fort - 628-0956

5:30-6:30 p.m. Wed. and Friday

17 and under



Coleman A. Young, 2751 Robert Bradby - 628-0998

5-6 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday 6-12 years old

Wed. and Friday 13-17 years old



Heilmann, 19601 Crusade - 224-9334

5-6 p.m

Tuesday and Thursday 6-12 years old

Wed. and Friday 13-17 years old



Patton, 2301 Woodmere - 628-2000

5-6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday

17 years old and under





DETROIT RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT BELLE ISLE PICNIC SHELTER RESERVATIONS BEGINNING MONDAY, MARCH 26



Are you planning a family reunion or picnic at Belle Isle this summer? The Detroit Recreation Department will take reservations for Belle Isle picnic shelters at the Belle Isle Casino from Monday, March 26 through Wednesday, March 28, from 8 a.m. until noon and 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. (doors open at 7 a.m.).



Reservations for July will take place on March 26, followed by August reservations on March 27 and reservations for May, June, and September on March 28.



Payment must be made in full at the time of the reservation. Cash will be accepted March 26-28. Money orders and certified checks will be accepted. Personal checks will not be accepted.



For more information, please call 313-628-2081.



DETROIT RECREATION DEPARTMENT SPONSORS PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES IN MARCH



The City of Detroit Recreation Department will hold the following programs and activities in March.



March and April -- Leisure Education Activity Program (LEAP)



LEAP is an eight-week program for $10 that offers Water Zumba, Zumba Matics, ice skating, figure skating, hockey and dance, held at the Adams Butzel, Heilmann, Lipke and Young recreation centers. You can start the program at any time. Contact the recreation centers below for exact times and programs.



• Adams Butzel, 10500 Lyndon, (313) 628-0990

• Heilmann, 19601 Crusade, (313) 224-9334

• Lipke, 19320 Van Dyke, (313) 628-0937

• Coleman A. Young, 2751 Robert Bradby Dr., (313) 628-0998



March 23

Detroit Recreation Department Benefit Night at Fuddruckers at 2630 E. Jefferson (City employees must bring a City ID; Non-City employees must bring a Benefit Night flier from any recreation center)



March 31

City Wide Swim Meet at Adams Butzel, 10500 Lyndon, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Contact Michael Williams at 628-0967.



PeeWee Basketball Tournament at Adams Butzel, 10500 Lyndon, starts at 10 a.m.

For more information, call 628-0949 or 224-9010.