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Board and residents press for stronger corridor maintenance and targeted code enforcement
Summary
Board members and the public urged more aggressive code enforcement and corridor cleanups on Southfield Road, citing litter, broken curbing, faded banners and damaged sidewalks; staff noted possible volunteer and corporate cleanup partnerships and planned targeted outreach through grant programs.
Several board members used the March 20 meeting to press for more active corridor maintenance and enforcement along Southfield Road between 11 and 12 Mile, describing persistent trash, broken concrete curbing, faded banners and neglected parking lots.
One member asked the city to adopt a more proactive enforcement posture to secure compliance rather than relying on fines alone. “If you walk the corridor you can see things that have sat for years,” a board member said, urging more regular inspections and enforcement follow‑through. Another member asked staff to prioritize targeted cleanups and flagged that some property conditions appear to have deteriorated over long periods, including broken edging, dirt accumulations and debris on sidewalks.
Members of the public also urged better signage for a little‑used municipal parking lot south of 12 Mile and asked whether the sign and facade grant programs include clawback or reimbursement rules if a business closes shortly after receiving funding; staff said program guidelines and a legal opinion have been prepared and that no grantee has violated reimbursement provisions to date.
Staff noted options to supplement code enforcement with outreach and incentives. Austin said the DDA may use grants, targeted outreach and corporate volunteer partners (potential support was mentioned through a General Motors volunteer program tied to a grant opportunity) to supplement enforcement and cleanup efforts.
Next steps: Staff will follow up with code enforcement and the public commenter who requested inspection assistance; the DDA plans targeted outreach to businesses about available sign and facade funding and will explore reinstating corridor cleanup activities in coordination with volunteers and corporate partners.
