Editing Eastpointe, Michigan

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Eastpointe, Michigan
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = "Gateway to Macomb County"<br>"A Family Town"
<!-- Images --------------->| image_skyline      = 
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps ----------------->
| image_map          = Eastpointe, MI location.png
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location within [[Macomb County, Michigan|Macomb County]]
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location ------------->
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Michigan]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Macomb County, Michigan|Macomb]]
<!-- Government ----------->| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]<ref name=AboutUs>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofeastpointe.net/community/about_us/index.php |title=About Us - Eastpointe, MI}}</ref>
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Michael Klinefelt<ref name="fierySpeech">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/11/15/former-eastpointe-mayor-gives-fiery-exit-speech/ |title=Former Eastpointe mayor gives fiery exit speech |first=Susan |last=Smiley |newspaper=Macomb Daily |date=November 15, 2023 |accessdate=November 15, 2023}}</ref>
| leader_title1      = [[Mayor Pro Tem]]
| leader_name1       = Cardi DeMonaco Jr.
| leader_title2      = [[Municipal council|City council]]
| leader_name2       = Harvey Curley<br>Rob Baker<br>Margaret Podsiadlik<ref name=council>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofeastpointe.net/government/mayor_and_council/index.php |title=Mayor and Council - Eastpointe, MI}}</ref>
| leader_title3      = [[City manager|Manager]]
| leader_name3       = Mariah Walton (acting, 2021–22; permanent, 2022–present)<ref name=CityManager>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofeastpointe.net/government/city_manager.php |title=City Manager - Eastpointe, MI}}</ref>
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1837
| established_title1 = Incorporated (village)
| established_date1  = December 8, 1924 as '''Halfway'''
| established_title2 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated (city)]]
| established_date2  = January 7, 1929 as '''East Detroit'''<ref name=AboutUs/>
| established_title3 = Renamed
| established_date3  = July 1, 1992 as '''Eastpointe'''<ref name=AboutUs/>
<!-- Area ----------------->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web|title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_place_26.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=April 3, 2024}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 13.364
| area_land_km2      = 13.358
| area_water_km2     = 0.005
| area_total_sq_mi   = 5.160
| area_land_sq_mi    = 5.158
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.002
<!-- Population ----------->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 33676
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2023"/>
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
| population_total   = 34318
| population_density_km2 = 2521.04
| population_density_sq_mi = 6528.89
<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = −5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = −4
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m        = 187
| elevation_ft       = 614
| coordinates        = {{coord|42|27|58|N|82|56|47|W|region:US-MI|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = 48021
| area_code          = [[Area code 586|586]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 26-24290
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1623024<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1623024}}</ref>
| blank2_name        = [[Sales tax]]
| blank2_info        = 6.0%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/michigan/cities/eastpointe.html|title=Eastpointe (MI) sales tax rate|access-date=April 3, 2024}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://www.cityofeastpointe.net/|cityofeastpointe.net}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Eastpointe''' (formerly '''East Detroit''') is a [[city]] in [[Macomb County, Michigan|Macomb County]] in the U.S. state of [[Michigan]]. An inner-ring [[Metro Detroit|suburb of Detroit]], Eastpointe borders [[Detroit]] to the south, roughly {{convert|11|mi|1}} northeast of [[Downtown Detroit]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the city had a population of 34,318.<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Eastpointe_city,_Michigan?g=1600000US2624290 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=April 3, 2024}}</ref>

==History==
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
The community was first settled by Irish and German immigrants in the 1830s. In October 1897, a post office was established there with the name of "Half-way", as it was near the halfway point of the stage run between downtown [[Detroit]] and the Macomb County seat at [[Mount Clemens, Michigan|Mount Clemens]]. It incorporated as the village of Halfway in December 1924 and reincorporated as the city of East Detroit in January 1929. Prior to 1924, most of the community formed a part of Erin Township (which includes all or part of Eastpointe, [[Roseville, Michigan|Roseville]], and [[St. Clair Shores]]. The city changed its name to "Eastpointe" after the change was approved by residents in a 1992 referendum; the name change had been proposed to remove any perceived association with the adjacent city of [[Detroit]]; the "pointe" suffix is intended to associate the city instead with the nearby affluent communities of the [[Grosse Pointe]]s. The city also changed its name to give the community a sense that it was its own city with its own unique history, identity, and not an extension or branch of Detroit. Other names were also nominated for the referendum never balloted.

The city's school district was unaffected by the municipal name change, and was called East Detroit Public Schools until 2017, when it changed the district name to [[Eastpointe Community Schools]] to align with the community name. It has one high school ([[Eastpointe High School]]), one middle school (Eastpointe Middle School, formerly Kelly Middle School), and four elementary schools. The primary district boundaries of Eastpointe Community Schools encompass the City of Eastpointe, minus the northeastern portion (east of Kelly Rd. and north of Stephens) and the southeastern portion of the city of [[Warren, Michigan|Warren]].

==Geography==
Eastpointe is in southern Macomb County, {{convert|10|mi|0}} northeast of [[Downtown Detroit]] and {{convert|7|mi|0}} north of [[Grosse Pointe, Michigan|Grosse Pointe]]. It is bordered to the west by the city of [[Warren, Michigan|Warren]], to the north by [[Roseville, Michigan|Roseville]], and to the east by [[St. Clair Shores, Michigan|St. Clair Shores]]. It is bordered to the south by the cities of [[Detroit]] and [[Harper Woods, Michigan|Harper Woods]] in [[Wayne County, Michigan|Wayne County]]. Roads that follow the city borders include Beechwood Avenue (up until it reaches Stephens Road, where it switches over to Hayes) on its western border (properties on both sides of these streets are within the city limits), 8 Mile/M-102 on its southern border, Beaconsfield/the southern and western bound section of the I-94 service drive on its eastern border, and 10 Mile Road on its northern border except for portions of the blocks of Macomb St. west to Hayes.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|5.16|mi2|2}}, of which {{convert|0.002|mi2|3}}, or 0.04%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/>

Eastpointe is generally considered to be a [[bedroom community]].{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} It is a relatively short drive from many other points of interest in the Detroit area. It is served by [[Interstate 94 in Michigan|Interstate 94]] (I-94) and [[Interstate 696|I-696]], as well as [[M-3 (Michigan highway)|M-3]] (Gratiot Avenue), [[M-102 (Michigan highway)|M-102]] (8 Mile Road), and [[Mile Road System (Detroit)|9 Mile Road]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1930 = 5955
| 1940 = 8584
| 1950 = 21461
| 1960 = 45756
| 1970 = 45920
| 1980 = 38280
| 1990 = 35283
| 2000 = 34077
| 2010 = 32442
| 2020 = 34318
| estyear = 2023
| estimate = 33676
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/eastpointecitymichigan,centerlinecitymichigan,US/PST045223|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=December 10, 2024}}</ref>
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 34,318 people, 13,126 households, and 8,523 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Eastpointe%20city,%20Michigan%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=April 3, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[population density]] was {{convert|6653.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 13,798 housing units.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 32,442 people, 12,557 households, and 8,220 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|6307.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 13,796 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2684.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial makeup]] of the city was 65.6% White, 29.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 12,557 households, of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were [[married couples]] living together, 19.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.5% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.19.

The median age in the city was 36.3 years. 25.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.6% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 34,077 people, 13,595 households, and 8,959 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|6,678.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 13,965 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,737.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 92.13% White, 4.70% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 1.33% of the population.

There were 13,595 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city, 24.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.6% was from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,261, and the median income for a family was $54,895. Males had a median income of $41,449 versus $28,095 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,665. About 4.2% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
The [[American Power Boat Association]] (APBA) is a New York non-profit, membership owned corporation that was created in 1903 by an act of the New York legislature as a racing association for powerboats. The APBA is headquartered in Eastpointe.

At one time [[Spirit Airlines]] had its headquarters in Eastpointe.<ref>"World Airline Directory." ''[[Flight International]]''. March 25–31, 1998. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1998/1998%20-%200756.html?search="Spirit Airlines" p. 92]. "18121 East 8 Mile Road, Eastpointe, 48021, Michigan, USA"</ref> The headquarters moved to [[Miramar, Florida]] in the [[Miami Metropolitan Area]] in November 1999.<ref>"[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-22389646_ITM Spirit Airlines Honored as ''Good Corporate Citizen of the Year''; Miramar Business Appreciation 2003.]" ''[[Business Wire]]''. February 13, 2003. Retrieved on December 17, 2009.</ref>

In 1959, a young businessman by the name of Art Van Elslander opened the doors to a {{convert|4,000|ft2|adj=on}} Danish furniture showroom on Gratiot Avenue in Eastpointe which would become the first [[Art Van]].

==Culture and arts==
Cruisin' Gratiot in June is an annual weekend celebration of automotive history, tradition and memorabilia. The event includes car shows, contests, and live music.<ref name="CruisinGratiot">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/06/15/eastpointe-cruisin-gratiot-ready-to-roll-starting-thursday/ |title=Eastpointe Cruisin' Gratiot ready to roll starting Thursday |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=June 15, 2022 |access-date=February 28, 2023 |newspaper=The Macomb Daily}}</ref>

The Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society Museum is in Eastpointe.<ref name=MilitaryMuseum>{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2021/10/17/military-museum-concerned-eastpointe-mayor-is-planning-its-ouster/ |title=Military Museum concerned Eastpointe mayor is planning its ouster |last=Smiley |first=Susan |date=October 17, 2021}}</ref>

Eastpointe has many summer festivals and events, including Erin-Halfway Days Living History Festival held at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park in late July, Music in the Park Wednesday nights at Spindler Park, and Summer Fest, formerly known as The Ox Roast, mid to late August at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

==Government==
Eastpointe is a Michigan home-rule city and operates under the council-manager form of government.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cityofeastpointe.net/index.asp?SEC=64C35AE1-0FF7-4C58-92EB-2A7DD1EA3983&Type=B_DIR |title=Mayor and City Council - City of Eastpointe, Michigan |access-date=November 7, 2019 |archive-date=May 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517221751/http://www.cityofeastpointe.net/index.asp?SEC=64C35AE1-0FF7-4C58-92EB-2A7DD1EA3983&Type=B_DIR |url-status=dead}}</ref> The city's mayor and four council members are elected at large to four-year staggered terms.

In 2017, Eastpointe elected its first African-American councilwoman, [[Monique Owens]]. In 2019, Suzanne Pixley, who had been mayor since 2007, did not seek reelection after her third four-year term. Councilwoman [[Monique Owens]] succeeded Pixley as mayor in 2019, becoming the first African-American mayor of Eastpointe.

Owens was unseated in the 2023 mayoral primary.<ref name="2023primarymacombdaily">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/08/09/klinefelt-top-vote-getter-in-eastpointe-mayoral-election/ |title=Klinefelt top vote getter in Eastpointe mayoral election |newspaper=The Macomb Daily |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=August 9, 2023 |accessdate=August 9, 2023}}</ref> Her tenure as mayor was marred by multiple scandals, including a lawsuit alleging that she violated residents' First Amendment rights<ref name="lawsuit2022TheDetroitNews">{{cite news|title=Eastpointe meeting devolved into shouting. Then came the lawsuit |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2022/11/10/eastpointe-council-meeting-devolved-into-shouting-and-scolding-then-came-the-lawsuit/69635907007/ |first=Mark |last=Hicks |publisher=The Detroit News |date=November 10, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2022}}</ref> and a criminal charge for alleged false statements on a grant application.<ref name="FalsePretensesChargedMD">{{cite news|title=Eastpointe mayor arraigned on felony fraud charges |url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/03/09/eastpointe-mayor-arraigned-on-felony-fraud-charges/ |newspaper=The Macomb Daily |last=Smiley |first=Susan |date=March 9, 2023 |accessdate=March 9, 2023}}</ref> Residents also objected to police reports she made against critics,<ref name=censure>{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/04/10/eastpointe-city-council-censures-mayor-monique-owens/ |title=Eastpointe City Council censures Mayor Monique Owens |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=April 10, 2022 |newspaper=The Macomb Daily}}</ref><ref name="mdwalkout">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/09/07/chaos-leads-to-walkout-at-eastpointe-meeting/ |title=Chaos leads to walkout at Eastpointe meeting |newspaper=The Macomb Daily |last=Smiley |first=Susan |date=September 7, 2022 |accessdate=September 7, 2022}}</ref> her failure to file financial disclosure statements,<ref name="FinancialDisclosuresStatements">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/12/14/eastpointe-ethics-board-verifies-complaint-against-mayor/ |title= Eastpointe ethics board verifies complaint against mayor |first=Susan |last=Smiley |newspaper=The Macomb Daily |date=December 14, 2022 |access-date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> her heated tirades against residents and other officials during meetings,<ref name="fox2crime">{{cite news|url=https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/eastpointe-mayor-blasts-residents-for-high-crime-rate-complaints-blame-yourselves |title=Eastpointe mayor blasts residents for high crime rate complaints: 'Blame yourselves' |publisher=Fox 2 Detroit |last=Kinchen |first=David |date=January 19, 2023 |accessdate=January 19, 2023}}</ref> and her lack of support for the LGBT community.<ref name="lgbt2023md"/>

On November 7, 2023, voters chose former city council member Michael Klinefelt as mayor. Eastpointe voters also elected incumbent Harvey Curley and newcomer Margaret Podsiadlik to the city council. The three were sworn in the following Monday.<ref name="2023results">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/11/08/eastpointe-voters-elect-new-mayor/ |title=Eastpointe voters elect new mayor |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=November 8, 2023 |accessdate=November 8, 2023 |newspaper=Macomb Daily}}</ref><ref name="fierySpeech"/>

===Discrimination lawsuit===
After a racial discrimination lawsuit was brought against the city regarding its election of all city council members through [[Plurality-at-large voting]], alleging that the plurality-at-large system discriminated against African-American voters and violated Section 2 of the [[Voting Rights Act]], the city settled the lawsuit with the [[United States Department of Justice]] in June 2019 by agreeing to switch to [[single transferable vote]] for the at-large election of city council members for the November 2019 municipal election.<ref>[https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-reaches-agreement-city-eastpointe-michigan-under-voting-rights-act Justice Department Reaches Agreement with City of Eastpointe, Michigan, Under the Voting Rights Act]</ref><ref>[https://www.fairvote.org/_eastpointe_michigan_to_become_first_in_state_to_implement_ranked_choice_voting Eastpointe, Michigan to become first in state to implement ranked choice voting]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cityofeastpointe.net/vertical/sites/%7B7C4055DF-73E1-4D03-A393-4A1D90A24F1D%7D/uploads/Ranked_Choice_Voting_for_Eastpointe_press_release.pdf |title=City of Eastpointe to Become First Michigan City to Implement Ranked-Choice Voting |access-date=October 30, 2019 |archive-date=August 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822210303/https://www.cityofeastpointe.net/vertical/sites/%7B7C4055DF-73E1-4D03-A393-4A1D90A24F1D%7D/uploads/Ranked_Choice_Voting_for_Eastpointe_press_release.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Beginning with the November 2019 election, [[Ranked voting|ranked choice voting]] was used on the city council ballot, making Eastpointe the first municipality in Michigan to adopt ranked choice voting.<ref>[https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2019/11/03/eastpointe-ranked-choice-voting-michigan-first/40538173/ Eastpointe to make Michigan history with ranked-choice voting]</ref>

===First Amendment lawsuit===
In 2022, four Eastpointe residents filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Eastpointe and Mayor Monique Owens alleging violations of their First Amendment rights. The plaintiffs alleged that Owens had interrupted and censored their remarks during time allotted for public comments at council meetings and engaged in viewpoint discrimination against them. The complaint requested that the city amend its public comment rules and sought damages from the mayor.<ref name="lawsuit2022TheMacombDaily">{{cite news|title=Federal lawsuit filed against Eastpointe mayor |url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/11/10/federal-lawsuit-filed-against-eastpointe-mayor/ |first=Susan |last=Smiley |publisher=The Macomb Daily |date=November 10, 2022 |access-date=November 11, 2022}}</ref>

On December 8, 2022, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting Owens from shouting down speakers or restricting the subject matter of their remarks. The order is to remain in effect until the case is resolved or the court orders otherwise.<ref name="injunctionMD">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2022/12/08/federal-court-issues-injunction-against-city-of-eastpointe-and-mayor-owens/ |title=Michigan residents win injunction against mayor, free to speak as they wish |last=Smiley |first=Susan |date=December 8, 2022 |access-date=December 8, 2022 |newspaper=Macomb Daily}}</ref><ref name="injunctionCS">{{cite news|url=https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/michigan-residents-win-injunction-against-mayor-free-to-speak-as-they-wish/article_ebd2c740-770f-11ed-a5f4-3bef59b729a8.html |title=Federal court issues injunction against City of Eastpointe and Mayor Owens |last=McClallen |first=Scott |date=December 8, 2022 |access-date=December 8, 2022 |publisher=The Center Square}}</ref><ref name="injunctionDN">{{cite news|newspaper=The Detroit News |title=Judge: Eastpointe residents can comment on mayor, council during public meetings |first=Charles E. |last=Ramirez |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2022/12/09/judge-eastpointe-residents-can-comment-on-mayor-council-in-public-meetings/69714817007/ |date=December 9, 2022 |access-date=December 9, 2022}}</ref><ref name="injunction-eastsider">{{cite news|title=Injunction confirms right to comment about officials at Eastpointe council meetings |url=https://www.candgnews.com/news/injunction-confirms-right-to-comment-about-officialsat-eastpointecouncil-meetings-1409 |first=Brian |last=Wells |newspaper=Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider |date=December 19, 2022 |access-date=December 19, 2022}}</ref>

The lawsuit stemmed largely from an incident at the council's September 6, 2022, meeting, during which Owens interrupted or talked over three residents who had attempted to speak. As Owens argued with one of the residents, the other four council members walked out, ending the meeting.<ref name="mdwalkout"/><ref name=eastsiderwalkout>{{cite news|title=Members of Eastpointe's City Council walk out, ending meeting after less than 20 minutes |url=https://candgnews.com/news/members-of-eastpointes-city-council-walk-out-ending-meeting-after-less-than-20-minutes-708 |date=September 7, 2022 |accessdate=September 9, 2022 |publisher=C & G Publishing |first=Brian |last=Wells |newspaper=Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider}}</ref><ref name=metrotimeswalkout>{{cite news|title=Eastpointe mayor has meltdown over First Amendment during public meeting |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/news/eastpointe-mayor-has-meltdown-over-first-amendment-during-public-meeting-31024162 |date=September 7, 2022 |accessdate=September 9, 2022 |first=Steve |last=Neavling |newspaper=Detroit Metro Times}}</ref><ref name=wdivwalkout>{{cite news|url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2022/09/09/eastpointe-council-meeting-ends-abruptly-over-battle-between-mayor-and-council-member/ |title=Eastpointe council meeting ends abruptly over battle between mayor, community members |accessdate=September 9, 2022 |date=September 9, 2022 |publisher=WDIV ClickOnDetroit}}</ref>

The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys from the [[Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression|Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)]], a First Amendment advocacy group.<ref name="lawsuit2022TheDetroitNews"/>

===LGBT community relations===
In 2019, the City of Eastpointe became one of the first municipalities in Macomb County to recognize Pride Month, despite the opposition of Mayor [[Monique Owens]], who said that Eastpointe has "always accepted everybody". On May 16, 2023, the Eastpointe City Council again voted on a Pride Month resolution, but it failed in a 2-2 vote due to opposition from Rob Baker and Stacy Cobb-Muñiz. Owens was absent from the meeting. The council's decision prompted sparked a protest at City Hall.<ref name="lgbt2023md">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/06/29/eastpointe-pride-protest-opposes-city-council-decision/ |title=Council decision sparks Eastpointe Pride protest |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=June 29, 2023 |accessdate=July 18, 2023 |newspaper=Macomb Daily}}</ref><ref name="lgbt2023ps">{{cite news|url=https://pridesource.com/article/why-the-2023-pride-month-resolution-failed-in-eastpointe/ |first=Jason |last=Michael |date=May 24, 2023 |accessdate=July 18, 2023 |publisher=Pride Source |title=Why the 2023 Pride Month Resolution Shamefully Failed In Eastpointe}}</ref><ref name="lgbt2023cg">{{cite news|url=https://www.candgnews.com/news/protesters-want-eastpointe-council-to-recognize-pride-month-2877 |title=Protesters want Eastpointe council to recognize Pride Month |first=Maria |last=Allard |newspaper=Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider |date=July 2, 2023 |accessdate=July 18, 2023}}</ref>

===Mayor's criminal conviction===
On September 28, 2023, Eastpointe's departing mayor, [[Monique Owens]], pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of making a false statement. The case, which was initially charged as felony false pretenses, stemmed from her application for a CARES Act grant for her business. The application stated that her business, Naturally Funny Talent Agency, was 51 percent of more owned by veterans and that it had 100-249 employees. Upon investigation, the Macomb County Sheriff's Office determined that Owens had had never served in the military and that she was the sole employee of the company.<ref name="PleaMacombDaily">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/09/28/eastpointe-mayor-pleads-no-contest-in-fraud-case/ |title=Eastpointe mayor pleads no contest in fraud case |newspaper=Macomb Daily |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="PleaWXYZ">{{cite news|url=https://www.wxyz.com/news/mayor-of-eastpointe-takes-responsibility-in-covid-relief-fraud-case |title=Mayor of Eastpointe 'takes responsibility' in COVID relief fraud case |publisher=7 Action News (WXYZ) |first=Alisha |last=Dixon |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="PleaFox2">{{cite news|url=https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/eastpointe-mayor-pleads-no-contest-after-fraudulently-applying-for-grant |title=Eastpointe mayor pleads no contest after fraudulently receiving $10,000 grant |publisher=Fox 2 Detroit |first=Jack |last=Nissen |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="PleaWDIV">{{cite news|url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2023/09/28/eastpointe-mayor-pays-10k-in-restitution-in-covid-fraud-case/ |title=Eastpointe mayor pays $10K in restitution in COVID fraud case |publisher=Local 4 (WDIV) |first=Dane |last=Kelly |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Pleadetroitnews">{{cite news|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/macomb-county/2023/09/28/eastpointe-mayor-pleads-to-lying-to-get-covid-19-grant-in-2020/70991488007/ |title=Eastpointe mayor pleads to lying to get COVID-19 small business grant in 2020 |first=Kara |last=Berg |newspaper=Detroit News |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Pleafreep">{{cite news|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2023/09/28/eastpointe-mayor-monique-owens-covid-19-funds-fraud/70993504007/ |title=Eastpointe Mayor Monique Owens pleads no contest in COVID-19 relief funds fraud case |first=Christina |last=Hall |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Pleametrotimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/news/embattled-eastpointe-mayor-pleads-to-reduced-charge-after-lying-about-covid-19-grant-34249553 |title=Embattled Eastpointe mayor pleads to reduced charge after lying about COVID-19 grant |first=Steve |last=Neavling |newspaper=Detroit Metro Times |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref><ref name="pleaCG">{{cite news|url=https://www.candgnews.com/news/eastpointe-mayor-pleads-no-contest-to-misdemeanor-fraud-charge-3545 |title=Eastpointe mayor pleads no contest to misdemeanor fraud charge |first=Brian |last=Wells |newspaper=Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider |date=September 28, 2023 |accessdate=September 28, 2023}}</ref> On November 9, 2023, Owens was sentenced to six months of probation, 100 hours of community service, and $725 in court costs.<ref name="sentencingMD">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2023/11/09/eastpointe-mayor-sentenced-in-fraud-case/ |title=Eastpointe mayor sentenced in fraud case |first=Susan |last=Smiley |date=November 9, 2023 |accessdate=November 9, 2023 |newspaper=Macomb Daily}}</ref><ref name="sentencingDFP">{{cite news|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/macomb/2023/11/09/eastpointe-mayor-monique-owens-sentenced-covid-19-fraud/71478555007/ |title=Eastpointe Mayor Monique Owens gets 6 months' probation in COVID-19 funds fraud case |first=Christina |last=Hall |date=November 9, 2023 |accessdate=November 9, 2023 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press}}</ref>

==Education==
[[Eastpointe Community Schools]] operates public schools in Eastpointe and includes most of the municipality. The southeastern corner of the city is instead within [[South Lake Public Schools]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26099_macomb/DC20SD_C26099.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Macomb County, MI|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-05-11}}</ref><ref>"[http://www.solake.org/images/SL_header800_2009goldnotag.jpg SL_header800_2009goldnotag.jpg] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130153047/http://solake.org/images/SL_header800_2009goldnotag.jpg |date=January 30, 2013}}." [[South Lake School District]]. Retrieved on November 1, 2012.</ref><ref name=slMap>"[http://www.solake.org/district/docs/DistrictMap.pdf District Map]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120907035445/http://www.solake.org/district/docs/DistrictMap.pdf Archive]) [[South Lake School District]]. Retrieved on November 1, 2012.</ref> Koepsell Elementary of the South Lake district is in Eastpointe.<ref>"[http://www.solake.org/Koepsell/index.cfm Home] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707071137/http://www.solake.org/Koepsell/index.cfm |date=July 7, 2012}}." Koepsell Elementary School. Retrieved on November 1, 2012.</ref>

[[Eaton Academy]], a charter school, is in Eastpointe. It is located on the grounds of the former St. Veronica School of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit]].<ref name=schoollist20030223>{{cite web|url=http://www.aodonline.org/AODOnline/Schools+4679/SchoolLocator.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030223013819/http://www.aodonline.org/AODOnline/Schools+4679/SchoolLocator.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 23, 2003 |title=School Locator |publisher=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit]] |date=February 22, 2003 |access-date=May 2, 2020}}</ref>

St. Thomas Lutheran Church formerly operated the St. Thomas Lutheran School. A drop in enrollment occurred after the [[Great Recession]] in the late aughts. It closed in 2015. The Great Start Readiness Program began renting the facility after its closure.<ref>{{cite web|author=Wisely, John |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/education/2019/05/28/michigan-private-schools-closing-catholic/3757380002/ |title=200 private schools have closed in Michigan in the last decade |work=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=May 2, 2020}}</ref>

===Higher education===
Eastpointe is also served by [[Macomb Community College]]'s South Campus, which is located in Warren, two miles north of the city.<ref name="MCCSouth">{{cite web|url=https://www.macomb.edu/about-macomb/maps-directions/south-campus.html |title=South Campus}}</ref>

[[Wayne County Community College District]]'s Mary Ellen Stempfle University Center is located in Harper Woods, just across [[M-102 (Michigan highway)|8 Mile]] from Eastpointe.<ref name="WCCCD">{{cite web|url=https://www.wcccd.edu/wcccdcampus/harper/partners.php |title=University Center Partners
}}</ref>

==State and federal government facilities==
[[File:Early Settlers (mural study, East Detroit, Michigan Post Office) SAAM-1974.28.87 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Study for ''Early Settlers'' (1940), Frank Cassara's mural at the post office in Eastpointe]]
The [[U.S. Postal Service]] operates the East Detroit Post Office in Eastpointe.<ref>"[https://tools.usps.com/go/POLocatorDetailsAction!input.action?locationTypeQ=all&address=Grosse+Pointe%2C+MI&radius=20&locationType=po&locationID=1361939&locationName=EAST+DETROIT&address2=&address1=22430+GRATIOT+AVE&city=EASTPOINTE&state=MI&zip5=48021&zip4=9998&tollFree=800-ASK-USPS%26reg%3B%26nbsp%3B%28800-275-8777%29&fax=586-775-3341&tAddress=&tAddress1Ams=&tAddress2Ams=&tCityAms=&tStateAms=&tZipAms=&tCarrierRouteAms=&latitude=42.4628311&longitude=-82.958922&sWithin=20&&&&&&&&&& EAST DETROIT]." [[United States Postal Service]]. Retrieved on January 9, 2017.</ref>

The Michigan Secretary of State has a branch office in Eastpointe.<ref name="misos">{{cite web|url=https://miselfservicestation.com/locations/eastpointe-secretary-of-state-office/ |title=Eastpointe Secretary of State Office |access-date=February 28, 2023}}</ref>

==Notable people==
Raised in Eastpointe, [[Douglas A. Brook]] (b. 1944) was United States Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller) from 1990 to 1992 and Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller) from 2007 to 2009.

[[Eric Bischoff]] (b. 1955) former president of [[World Championship Wrestling]] (1993–1999) and on-screen personality for [[WWE]] (2002–2006). Currently the co-host of [[83 Weeks]] podcast (2019–present)

Merollis Chevrolet of Eastpointe is where [[Guinness Book of World Records]] "World's Greatest Salesman" [[Joe Girard]] set consecutive sales records over a fifteen-year period.

[[Jerry M. Linenger]], M.D., M.S.S.M., M.P.H., Ph.D. (Captain, Medical Corps, USN, Ret.) is a former NASA astronaut, who flew on the Space Shuttle and Space Station Mir Born and raised in Eastpointe, Linenger graduated from East Detroit High School in 1973.

[[Detroit-style pizza]] inventors, Gus and Anna Guerra opened Cloverleaf Bar (on [[Gratiot Avenue]] in 1953 after selling Buddy's Pizza (originally named [[Buddy's Rendezvous]]) on Six Mile Rd and Contant Street in [[Detroit]].

[[Alice Cooper]] (aka Vincent D. Furnier; b. 1948, Detroit), an American shock-rock singer and musician, was a childhood resident of East Detroit. He resided on Lincoln Ave. near Kelly Road, and attended grade school at Kantner Elementary.<ref>Cooper, Alice. Alice Cooper, Golf Monster. Crown Publishers: New York, 2007.</ref>

Actor [[Jayson Blair (actor)|Jayson Blair]] of MTV's ''[[The Hard Times of RJ Berger]]'' is an Eastpointe native.

Rapper [[Kid Rock]] refers to Eastpointe in his song "It's Still East Detroit To Me."

Christian Berishaj (stage name [[JMSN]]) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, mixer, videographer and designer and a former member of the band, [[Love Arcade]], in which he was known as Snowhite. He was raised in Eastpointe.

Mike Lubinski of the reality show ''[[Big Brother (franchise)|Big Brother]]'' is from Eastpointe.

[[Jacob M. Appel]]'s short story collection, ''Einstein's Beach House'', is largely set in a fictionalized Eastpointe.<ref>Appel, JM. ''Einstein's Beach House''. Pressgang, 2014</ref><ref>''The Butler Collegian'', P. 3, Dec. 4, 2014</ref>

[[Adrenalin (American band)|Adrenalin]] is an American rock band from East Detroit Michigan, that is perhaps best known for their song "Road of the Gypsy," featured in the 1986 film ''[[Iron Eagle]]''.

[[Back in the USA (album)|''Back in the USA'']] is the 1970 debut studio album, and second album overall, by the American protopunk band [[MC5]] recorded in Eastpointe in 1969.

[[Jeopardy!]] Tournament of Champions contestant Sandie Baker was from Eastpointe.<ref name=JArchive>{{cite web|url=https://j-archive.com/showplayer.php?player_id=9523 |title=J! Archive - Sandie Baker}}</ref>

The "Recruiters" sketch from ''Mr. Show with Bob and David'' was set in East Detroit.<ref name=MrShow>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0652159/plotsummary |title="Mr. Show with Bob and David" Operation Hell on Earth (TV Episode 1996) - Plot Summary - IMDb |website=[[IMDb]]}}</ref>

===Athletics===
East Detroit High School produced a number of professional football players, including [[Gary Ballman]], [[Ron Kramer]], Matt Hernandez, and [[Mickey Walker (American football)|Mickey Walker]].

[[Dennis Brown (quarterback)|Dennis Brown]] is a former American football player and coach. In 1995, Brown was hired as the head football coach at East Detroit High School.

The [[Detroit Caesars]] were a professional softball team that played from 1977 through 1979 in the American Professional Slow Pitch Softball League (APSPL), winning two pro softball championships while playing at Memorial Field in East Detroit. The team disbanded after the 1979 season, but the [[Detroit Auto Kings]] would play the 1980 season in the North American Softball League (NASL) at Memorial Field before ceasing play at the end of the season and ending professional softball played in East Detroit.

===Social Clubs===
[[Freemasonry]] first came to East Detroit in the mid-1950s. East Detroit Lodge No. 589, that held its Regular Communication on the 1st Monday of the month, was located at 17003 E Nine Mile. East Detroit #589 was formed and worked Under Dispensation in early 1955, was Chartered by Grand Lodge of Michigan's Grand Master Henry R. Ruusi (1907–1995) on May 24, 1955, and 43 years later was Consolidated with Eureka North Warren Lodge No. 594 on March 23, 1998.

Grosse Pointe Lodge No. 584, Chartered on May 27, 1953, relocated from 1850 Vernier Rd, Grosse Pointe Woods, to Eastpointe in March 1992, and later Consolidated with Jefferson Lodge No. 553 on September 19, 2000.

==Religion==
===Catholic churches===
Roman Catholic churches in Eastpointe include St. Basil the Great Church<ref>{{cite web|url=https://directory.aod.org/#/parish/38/st-basil-the-great-parish |title=St. Basil the Great Parish |publisher=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit]] |access-date=May 4, 2020}}</ref> and St. Veronica Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://directory.aod.org/#/parish/311/st-veronica-parish |title=St. Veronica Church |publisher=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit]] |access-date=May 4, 2020}}</ref>

The St. John Deaf Center, affiliated with Holy Innocents Church in Roseville, is in Eastpointe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://directory.aod.org/#/parish/4500/holy-innocents-st-barnabas-parish |title=Holy Innocents-St. Barnabas Parish |publisher=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit]] |access-date=May 4, 2020}}</ref>

St. Barnabas Catholic Church closed permanently in 2021.<ref name="Barnabas">{{cite news|url=https://www.macombdaily.com/2021/08/28/eastpointes-st-barnabas-will-hold-final-mass-sunday/ |title=Eastpointe's St. Barnabas will hold final mass Sunday |last=Smiley |first=Susan |newspaper=The Macomb Daily |date=August 28, 2021 |access-date=February 28, 2023}}</ref>

Our Lady of Grace Vietnamese Parish ({{langx|vi|Gx Đức Mẹ Ban Ơn Lành}}<!--Vietnamese from https://www.ologwarren.org/-->) is in nearby [[Warren, Michigan|Warren]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://directory.aod.org/#/parish/855/our-lady-of-grace-vietnamese-parish|title=Our Lady of Grace Vietnamese Parish|publisher=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit]]|access-date=May 4, 2020}}</ref> Our Lady of Grace was previously in Eastpointe, but moved to Warren in 2012 when it merged with St. Cletus Church. Our Lady of Grace had an increasing parishioner base and was asking for a larger facility, so it was combined with another church with a declining number of parishioners.<ref>{{cite web|author=Allard, Maria |url=https://www.candgnews.com/news/st-cletus-our-lady-grace-come-together-one |title=St. Cletus, Our Lady Of Grace come together as one |newspaper=[[Warren Weekly]] |publisher=[[C & G Newspapers]] |date=January 18, 2012 |access-date=May 4, 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Michigan}}
* [[List of municipalities in Michigan]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==Sources==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070630053414/http://www.cityofeastpointe.net/history.htm Eastpointe History], City website retrieved January 20, 2006
* Romig, Walter. ''Michigan Place Names''. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1986.

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{official website|https://www.cityofeastpointe.net/}}

{{Geographic location
|North  = [[Roseville, Michigan|Roseville]]
|West   = [[Warren, Michigan|Warren]]
|Center = Eastpointe
|East   = [[St. Clair Shores]]
|South  = [[Detroit]]
}}

{{Macomb County, Michigan}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1897 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1897]]
[[Category:Cities in Macomb County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Metro Detroit]]