Frequently Asked Questions


The City of Detroit has instituted new rules and regulations for closing off our streets for Block Parties and Island Plantings.  Basically, the main change is that the City will no longer drop off and pick up the barricades. This is one step the City of Detroit is employing to cut down on the money it spends and to focus its limited resources on “core (read critical) services” — police, fire, and EMS, for example.  

All paperwork must be completed at least 30 days prior to your event.

Be sure to verify all the above info with Mr. Kinsey at the CAC when you go there to register.  You may want to print this out and take it with you. If you have questions about any of these processes, please contact Mr. Tony Kinsey, manager at our West Community Access Center at 19180 Grand River; his phone is 313-870-0649.

Please see the most recent City of Detroit Block Party Application and Guidelines here.


SUMMARY OF STEPS:

  1. Align with your block captain. Find out who your block captain is – and if your block does not have a block captain and you want to step up for this role, reach out to us and we’ll get you started.

2. Register your Block – You MUST complete this step in order to have the street blocked off by the police. Go to our local Community Access Center (CAC) located at 19180 Grand River and register your Block Club.  This step involves filling out a two-page form that you can get at the CAC.  Some of the information requested on the form isn’t really relevant to block clubs (most don’t have officers, for example) but that’s no problem — just leave them blank. Ask Mr.  Kinsey to co-sign your application and date it and give you 2 xeroxed copies (one to take to the Precinct and one to keep for yourself, for the day of your event) to take with you.  


3. Fill out the application and petition your block – Using the petition form and the application found in the City of Detroit Block Party Application and Guidelines. Complete your application and block petitions. You will need 75% of the blocks’ signatures to take with you to the 12th Precinct Community Relations Division located at 1441 W. 7 Mile.

4. Take paperwork to the 12th Precinct – Take 1) Your block club registration form signed by you and Mr. Kinsey, 2) your application, and 3) the petition with 75% of the block’s signatures – to the 12th Precinct 30 days or more before your event.  This will ensure that all necessary City departments are notified that your street will be blocked off between the times you have listed.

THEN  YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS:

Option 1 – If you want to use City barricades to close off your street:
– You must leave a $75 deposit with the Police (cashier’s check or money order only, made out to the City of Detroit) when you turn in your three forms at the Precinct.
– The day before your event, go to the Precinct to pick up your barricades (go early) and inquire as to when they need to be returned.
– After your event, when you return the barricades to the Precinct – in good condition –  the police will request that your money be sent to your address, which will take up to 3 weeks.


Option 2 – If you do NOT want to use City barricades to close off your street:

  • Your block must come up with your own way to barricade your street.  You could use saw horses with planks of wood between them or you could use Courville containers with planks of wood between them as street barricades i.e. things that work and can be moved easily should access to your street be necessary.  
  • YOU MAY NOT use cars to block the street, or tie string or rope to things to close off streets, according to the new rules.

Finding someone reliable to perform repairs and improvements on your home is challenging. Other people in the Association may know just the right person for your job and this list is a common place where our members can share positive experiences with contractors. The Nextdoor app is a great place to look for recommendations and ask other residents for their perspective on contractors.  The University District Community Association does not in any way support, recommend, or endorse any specific contractors.

The University District Community Association does not screen or investigate any contractors or work performed. It is your responsibility to check them out and verify their claims. It is recommended that you hire licensed and insured contractors. For more information on hiring and screening contractors refer to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

Other Useful Information:

Verify Builder’s License:  http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/verify.htm

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA):  http://www.michigan.gov/lara

File a Complaint or Verify a License:  http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-35299—,00.html

Guide to Avoiding a Complaint:  http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcsc/forms/enf/lce-400.pdf

Other Contractor Referral Lists:  https://www.brickandbeamdetroit.com/contractors 

You can pay online by visiting https://www.udca.info/join.

Membership dues are due on January 1st and the membership period runs from January 1st – December 31st of each year.

  • UDCA emails and special notices
  • Quarterly newsletter and website updates
  • Community interest workshops
  • Merchant partner discount program
  • Snow Plowed Streets
  • Beautification projects around and through the neighborhood
  • Handsome signs identifying our community
  • Most of all, the satisfaction of being part of the stabilization of your most valuable asset – YOUR HOME!

Go to https://www.udca.info/who-is-my-block-captain/ to find your block captain. Email communications@udca.info to find out how to volunteer to become a block captain or to get the contact information for your block captain.

INTRODUCTION

Mission of the Standards Committee: To establish, identify and document, best practices for a set of residential standards for the University District Community Association.

Role & Responsibility of Committee members: Inform UD residents and property owners of the City of Detroit Codes, ordinances and relevant agency rules that are the basis of the Residential Standards. To receive and confirm violation reports from residents. Issue violation notices to residents when warranted. Refer violations to authorities having jurisdiction when necessary.

UDCA Mission: the University District Community Association strives to maintain and support the integrity of the neighborhood, provide communication of events and issues to its residents, promote a quality education in our local school while maintaining health, safety and happiness in a family-friendly, diverse community.

Our Location: The University District is located east of Livernois Avenue and west of and including Parkside St, between Seven Mile and McNichols.

Non-Discrimination Policy: It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Subdivisions that all property therein will be available without regard to race, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, color, sex or national origin.

Drug-free Zone: The University District Community has zero tolerance for drug trafficking. As a community we can assure all who traffic in drugs that they will be sought out and reported to the authorities. Drug trafficking places all residents, living in the mist of drug dealing, at risk.

Residents who observe drug traffic are asked to call police at 313-234-4000 andour radio patrol at 313-447-0003 to report such activity (anonymously if you wish). It will take this entire community to maintain a safe living environment for all of our residents

Standards Enforcement: The University District Community Association, and its successors, strives to administer and enforce the architectural integrity, safe, social and desirable community living atmosphere and ensure the real property value of the homes in this community through the collective efforts of each property owner by supporting and enforcing the standards as set forth in this document.


View the 2023 Residential Standards here

UDCA-Residential-Standards-2022-Final_PROOF

If this is a life threatening emergency, get off the internet and dial 911.

EMERGENCY                                                        911        
Detroit Police Department 12th Precinct 313-596-1200
University District Hotline 313-318-7498
University District Radio Patrol (Volunteer Patrol) 313-862-3754
University District Patrol Car 313-550-2085
Abandoned Car Reports Use SeeClickFix, or the Improve Detroit mobile app.
Curfew Violations 911 – If there are repeated violations by the same individuals or at the same address, the NPO should be contacted.
Police Telephone Crime Reporting Unit (TCRU) 313-267-4600
Neighborhood Police Officer (NPO: Larissa Powell cell: 313-900-9853 (texting recommended) – email: powell229@detroitmi.gov
Advanced Disposal – Waste Pickup 844-233-8764
Stray Dog Hotline 313-922-DOGS