Hamtramck residents working together to repair potholes in the city.

HAMTRAMCK — Residents are not waiting for the state, county or city to repair dangerous potholes. Instead, they are putting their own money and time into fixing those roadway craters through a unique community initiative. 

Residents have established the GoFundMe account “Hamtramck Guerrilla Road Repair” to raise money to fix potholes. To date, they’ve raised $4,260, close to their initial $5,000 goal.  

Proceeds made towards the account will go directly towards large bags of cold patch to fix the potholes. 

On Aug. 1, about $1,000 worth of cold patch, equivalent to 149 bags and 7,450 pounds, was distributed among Hamtramck’s neighborhoods. From one to four bags fill a pothole, depending on its size. Nearly four tons of cold patch was used. Residents used tampers and shovels to repair the potholes. 

Yemeni American residents Ibrahim Aljahim and Mursal Mohammed have contributed to the effort. Aljahim, an activist, said he wants to get businesses involved in the effort.

“Residents and businessmen should at least be responsible for repairing the potholes outside their houses and businesses,” he said. “For residents, it is a chance to make the neighborhoods, city and their homes more attractive. For businesses, fixing the potholes is an opportunity to give back to the community.”

“Repairing the potholes on streets makes them safer for children and prevents people from getting flat tires,” Mohammed said. “This to me is really about safety, not making the city a more attractive place.”

According to Aljahim, at least seven streets have been repaired so far. He added that the county and city are contributing to the effort. 

Mohammed has donated $50 towards the effort.  Both Mohammed and Aljahim hope the community initiative serves as a model to other municipalities across Michigan that cannot afford to repair potholes.  

“This needs to be a joint effort,” Mohammed said. “Every donation counts whether it is $10 or $20. It can make a difference. Waiting on the state and city to fix potholes is a safety risk.”

The 26-year-old has lived in Hamtramck since he was 2-years-old. Hamtramck is widely known as a melting pot of different cultures. It has a large concentration of Yemenis, Bosnians, Blacks, Polish and Bangladesh Americans. 

“It is so beautiful seeing all these different ethnic groups coming together on this initiative,” Mohammed said.