Southeastern Equipment Donates Case CTLs for Detroit Revitalization Work

Case Construction Equipment dealer Southeastern Equipment Co. donated the use of two TR310 compact track loaders with grapple buckets to Team Rubicon for Operation Joe Louis, an urban blight response project in Detroit. Team Rubicon has worked in partnership with the city of Detroit’s Motor City Makeover event, an annual citywide volunteer cleanup and beautification initiative, as well as Herman Kiefer Development LLC to clean up the Herman Kiefer Hospital complex and neighborhood by conducting damage assessments, debris management and home repairs in the area.

Team Rubicon brought in more than 100 volunteers and training personnel from around the U.S. to assist local residents in the cleanup effort of their properties, as well as vacant or abandoned properties adjacent to occupied structures. The Case TR310 CTLs were used in debris management initiatives during the project, including the removal of fallen or dangerous trees, trash, overgrowth and the consolidation of debris and refuse, as well as the demolition of several garages and other outbuildings.

Detroit has experienced significant economic divestment over the last 50 years, and this isn’t the first time Team Rubicon has worked in the city. Team Rubicon responded to flooding in the area in 2014 during Operation Flood Wrangler. In 2016, the group partnered with Motor City Blight Busters for a revitalization project in the historic Brightmoor neighborhood.

Team Rubicon is a veteran-led disaster response organization that deploys teams globally. Its heavy equipment operators have been trained as part of a partnership with Case that began in November 2015.