SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT

The University District was designated as a Special Assessment District by Detroit City Council on June 21st 2022.

Becoming a Special Assessment District

After years of citizen petition drives, community meetings, public hearings before City Council, the University District was designated a Special Assessment District by the Detroit City Council on June 21st 2022. As of Fall 2025, Palmer Woods, Golf Club, Sherwood Forest and the University District are the only communities with this designation in the City of Detroit. Eighty-one percent of University District property owners signed the petition requesting this designation.

Special Assessment District Cost

Since the winter tax bill of 2022, each parcel within the University District, through real estate property taxes, had been assessed $175. The city distributed the funds to the University District Community Association beginning in February of 2023.

Via contracted vendors, the Special Assessments cover:

Security Patrol 24/7
Snow Removal
Mosquito Abatement

All University District property owners share the associated costs (and benefits) of the above services. The amount of the assessment is $175 per year, and first appeared as line-item SMS on 2022 winter tax bills. As of 2023, it is only applied to summer tax bills. Other neighboring Special Assessment Districts (Palmer Woods, Golf Club, and Sherwood Forest) are paying up to $450 per year.

The length of Special Assessment District designation is seven (7) years. During this period, if the cost of the approved services rises above the annual assessment collected, the assessment can be increased by up to 15%, in 3% increments. Any increase must be approved by the Assessor’s office.

Special Assessment District and Membership of UDCA

By state law, the Special Assessment funds can ONLY be used to cover three (3) specific items – Security, Snow Removal and Mosquito Abatement.

Membership in the UDCA is separate and creates an annual budget that supports the neighborhood and provides funds for activities and events such as the bi-annual Home Tour, Annual Harvest Festival, block parties subsidy, community meetings and mailings, as well as neighborhood beautification efforts and many other efforts that make our community so special.

Fund Dispersement and Management

Any funds collected under the Special Assessment are managed in accordance with state law. The City deducts a management fee (1% of collected taxes) and forwards the remaining funds to the University District Community Association. The UDCA can only use these funds for the three aforementioned approved services, in accordance with the ordinance. The Association is also allowed up to 3% in operating expenses.

Special Assessment District Committee

The Committee is responsible for ordinance compliance, contractor procurement, oversight, payment and performance evaluation — as well as regular reporting to residents, the UDCA Board and City Officials.