Hawk, Falcon Being Used To Keep Downtown Detroit Clean Ahead Of Draft

Downtown Detroit's makeover continues ahead of the NFL Draft kicking off on April 25. Officials anticipate more than 300,000 football fans in the city for the big event. City officials are partnering with multiple organizations to give downtown a makeover. Some projects include light pole upgrades, brick paver replacement, and upgrading private parking lots downtown. Recently, the city unveiled the "DCLEATED" art exhibit of 20 painted cleats for the Draft. Now, city officials want to make sure bird poop is not an issue for football fans coming into town.

Fox 2 Detroit reported that Bedrock Detroit hired ScAir Force Falconry & Bird Abatement to "scare away any starlings and pigeons with birds of prey and lasers." Paul and Terese Thomas are the owners of ScAir Force. Ruth, a Harris's hawk, and Yeti, a Saker falcon, are being used "as a visual cue to keep away" any invasive birds from downtown, Paul Thomas told the outlet.

The couple has Ruth and Yeti trolling the area around Campus Martius five evenings a week. Thomas also mentioned they are training pigeons and starlings to not sleep in certain places. So, they’re not just sitting there "pooping down the side of buildings."

And if you're curious about how they’ll monitor Ruth and Yeti, they are outfitted with ankle cuffs, tethers, and a spot for a GPS. The news outlet said they are also trained to come right back to Paul and Terese. "The reason they stay with us, the symbiotic relationship we built, is just they know we're a meal ticket," told Fox.

Construction will begin on Friday near the former Monroe Midway near Cadillac Square. That's where the Draft stage and Draft theater will be set. The road closures for the stage construction will last from Friday, March 29 through May.

At a later date, Jefferson Ave. will also shut down for the NFL Experience. The Draft area is set for Cadillac Square, Campus Martius, down Woodward Ave., and Hart Plaza. The draft stage will be near Cadillac Square, and the NFL Draft Experience will take place at Hart Plaza.

The NFL Draft will be free. Gates will open at noon on Thursday and Friday for the first three rounds and on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. for the fourth through seventh rounds.

There will be other major events surrounding the draft. Several areas of downtown Detroit will be used for additional events, such as Capitol Park, Grand Circus Park, Beacon Park, and more.

Many empty storefronts in downtown are set to be filled ahead of the NFL Draft with local pop-ups.