Early election results indicate that Detroit residents are approving funding measures for two of the region’s most cherished cultural institutions, a development that could secure their operations for the next decade. The “Yes to Our Story” campaign, backed by the Detroit Historical Society and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, seeks approval of a 10‑year, 0.2‑mill levy to fund museum operations. According to BridgeDetroit, with 6% of votes counted, 68% of Wayne County voters have supported the museum millage, while 53% of Oakland County voters have done the same, bringing the total vote count to 91%.
The proposed tax would cost roughly $30 per year for a homeowner with an average home value of $300,000. In addition to operational support, the levy promises free transportation for students and seniors and guarantees free admission for Wayne and Oakland County residents to the Wright Museum and the Detroit Historical Museum, which also operates the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle. Museum leaders emphasized the importance of the measure: Historical Society President and CEO Elana Rugh said the levy would bring financial stability, allowing the institutions to focus on preserving local and Black history, while Wright Museum President and CEO Neil Barclay described it as a path to a more prosperous and unified future.
Simultaneously, the Detroit Zoo’s “Renew Your Zoo” campaign is seeking a 10‑year, 0.1‑mill renewal that would continue funding for the zoo and the Belle Isle Nature Center. BridgeDetroit reports that the zoo levy has already won 71% approval in Oakland County and 74% in Wayne County. For a homeowner with a $200,000 home, the cost would be about $10 per year. Detroit Zoological Society executive director Hayley Murphy noted that the millage provides a stable source of funding—about one‑third of the zoo’s revenue—supporting animal care for more than 2,000 animals across 200 species.
Both measures were placed on the ballot by the Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority, a joint authority created in July by Wayne and Oakland counties. If either levy fails in either county, the authority would dissolve, potentially jeopardizing the museums’ collaborative operations.
Residents first approved the Detroit Zoo tax in 2008 and again in 2016, demonstrating a history of community support for the institution. The museum levy, a newer initiative, aims to cement similar long‑term backing for Detroit’s cultural heritage sites.
What’s next: Final vote tallies are expected later tonight as the remaining precincts report. The outcomes will determine whether the museum authority remains active and whether the zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center continue to receive the stable funding they rely on.
Sources: bridgedetroit.com, bridgedetroit.com, bridgedetroit.com
