Some neighbors on Detroit’s east side are demanding action.
They say dozens of delivery trucks leaving the Faygo Beverages plant off Gratiot Avenue are making wide turns at Moran and Superior streets, driving on the sidewalks and causing damage.
“I have been calling the mayor’s office for over four years to try to get this sidewalk fixed,” said Gwen Gentry. She lives across the street from the beverage plant.
Some residents said the trucks ruin the concrete and curbs as they turn wide.
“The gate will open, and they will come all the way up on the sidewalk to make a turn,” Gentry said. “And when they go, sometimes they ride all the way down before they go off the sidewalk.”
Neighbors said they’ve been complaining to Faygo and the city of Detroit about the issue. Gentry said trucks have also damaged her fence.
“All I’m asking is them to come out and fix the sidewalk,” Gentry said.
According to neighbors, Faygo Beverage laid new concrete at the corner of Moran and Superior Street earlier this year. However, residents pointed to the tire marks on the recently paved portion of the sidewalk, showing that the problem continues.
Some neighbors also complain that truck drivers ignore street signs and drive down resident streets where trucks are prohibited.
“They also turn here, make a right-hand turn here at Willis, and there’s a sign that says no trucks,” said neighbor Robert Bankston, Jr. “Yet, they still do it.”
Local 4 called Faygo Beverage Company requesting to speak with a media contact or representative. A worker said she was advised to say, “There’s no comment.”
Neighbors said they feel the company is ignoring them and their safety concerns.
Gentry asked,” How would they feel if this was their neighborhood, and they had kids out here playing and everything? Wouldn’t they want someone to come out and address the issues that they’ve been having for over four years? Instead of ignoring it?”
Gentry claims that a representative from Faygo once told her they would put bollards at the corner of Moran and Superior for safety. That has yet to happen.
The Gentry family said it wants action.
“I want them to come out and fix the streets,” Gentry said. “I want them to put something out here to keep Faygo from riding up on the sidewalk, tearing the sidewalk. It’s like they don’t care because they feel that nobody lives over here.”
Meanwhile, city staff is urging residents who may experience issues like this to report them online.
Local 4 asked the city of Detroit to look into these concerns. The director of Detroit Public Works, Ron Brundidge, issued a statement.
“We thank residents for bringing this to our attention. Residents can contact the Department of Public Works if they have concerns about the condition of sidewalks. We will inspect and explore potential implementations to help ensure that trucks are not driving across the sidewalk when making turns. In addition, on residential streets where signs are posted prohibiting truck traffic, these area will be monitored by enforcement agencies to increase compliance. Residents should notify their local police precinct when there is a violation.”
Director of Detroit Public Works, Ron Brundidge