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Council presses administration on demolition backfill delays tied to Guyanga inquiry
Summary
Council members flagged dozens of open sidewalk and basement excavation sites left after contractor work tied to an ongoing investigation; administration said 26 sites require certification before backfill, two were ready and backfill typically follows within about two weeks.
Several council members urged the administration to accelerate repairs and provide more information about a set of unfinished demolition and sidewalk jobs connected to properties where materials were removed as part of a broader investigation (the record references an inquiry tied to the name "Guyanga"). Members said contractors told the council they had been paid late or not at all and that some sidewalks remain in an unsafe condition with exposed holes and poles.
What the administration said: Luan Counts, group executive for construction and building operations, told the council the department has about 26 holes where materials were removed that now require certification of the bottom of the excavation before backfill. Counts said two sites were ready for backfill and that the standard timeline from removal to backfill is roughly two weeks, but that weather and scheduling affect the exact timing. He also said the fill source under investigation has been suspended.
Council concerns: Member Pembroke Callaway said a contractor (GM Contracting, Michael Villegas) reported around 48 sidewalks left incomplete in Southwest Detroit, including multiple sites on a single block with poles sticking out of the sidewalk. Members called the conditions unsafe and asked for an urgent response to protect pedestrians.
Why it matters: Unfinished demolitions and exposed excavations present immediate safety hazards and erode trust when contractor payments or sourcing problems delay completion. Members sought assurance that the city will prioritize site remediation and not use suspended fill sources while the investigation continues.
What’s next: Counts said the department will review addresses provided by members, prioritize escalations and schedule backfill where certification is complete; members asked for a follow‑up with specific timelines during the new year.
Ending: The administration committed to investigating the flagged addresses, accelerate the two sites already ready for backfill, and return to the council with updates and a prioritized list.
