City of Detroit DON Cast Recap: Tech-Career Development and Demolition Site Soil Remediation in the Works

To combat the digital divide, Npower, a local affiliate of the national non-profit organization, is offering free technology training for Detroit 18 and older.

 “We provide no-cost tech training programs for individuals looking to learn more about technology and ultimately start a career,” said Erica Payton, Site Director at NPower in Detroit.

NPower’s tech-career program provides laptops, access to low-cost internet, and “resources that allow for program success.” The program is completely remote and is beneficial to those hoping to break into tech careers such as Google IT, cybersecurity analyst, media/AV support, and more.

“We’re teaching you everything you need to know to successfully pass those certification exams,” Payton said.

The next Tech Fundamentals and Data Analytics cohort will begin in August and requires a time commitment of four hours each day, excluding weekends. It will run for 18 weeks. Apart from that, there will be a cloud program two days a week in the evenings, and a cybersecurity program. For more information, residents may contact Kiara Conway, Recruitment and Admissions Manager, at kiara.conway@npower.org. 

Another note at this past Monday’s DON Cast was the soil remediation project underway at demolition sites – a matter of the utmost concern for residents such as John Myers from district 4 who brought up accountability.

“Who’s paying for this and how was this allowed to happen after all the demolition controversies that happened for years,” said Myers.

Last year, Detroit demolition contract company Gayanga Co. LLC was suspended from city work amid a federal investigation after there were claims of contaminated soil being used to fill residential properties. City officials were not able to say much on the subject as this is still an open investigation, however it was clarified that money is coming from the Blight budget.

“This doesn’t mean that there is an issue with property nearby a targeted demolition site,” said, press secretary with the construction and demolition department. “It simply means that the department is conducting testing to verify the fill material used after demolition.”

Certain demolition sites filled prior to November 2025 will be tested. So far, that means over 400 sites will be tested in total, of which 300 have already been tested. Residents within 400 feet of a selected site will receive notice to let them know that certain demolition sites will be fenced off for testing.

Currently there is an interactive map on the city website updated with ADA compliance to allow residents to learn which sites are complete, in testing, or scheduled for testing. Possible contaminants include arsenic, chromium, zinc, mercury, benzopyrene, and phenanthrene. If a site is found to have contaminants, the fill will be replaced and neighbors will be notified through the process, according to city officials.

Although direct exposure can have health effects, “the material in question is buried a foot or more below ground,” according to official documents.

Lots undergoing testing will be placed in a temporary sale hold. Initial testing will take a month, followed by two months of removal, and a replacement fill will take another month. Testing is expected to conclude soon.