Detroit Razes Houses in Effort to Revitalize Community
An agreement between Governor Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing to raze thousands of empty homes in Detroit is one step closer to becoming an actuality. Snyder has authorized authorities to begin razing the buildings.
"We welcome the governor's efforts… Tangible assistance from the state is critical to our efforts to transform Detroit," Bing said in a public statement. The plan came as Detroit continues to struggle in the economic crisis and needs help in order to turn things around for its residents.
Right now Detroit has a deficit of $197 million, and Snyder's promise of help is welcome relief to Bing, whose own administration has removed 4,500 "dangerous and abandoned buildings." The plan is to demolish another 1,500 vacant buildings by the end of September.
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"This is more than tearing down structures," Sara Wurfel, press secretary for Synder, said in a public statement. "We're trying to develop a community approach to making sure there are safe, stable neighborhoods."
Several agencies have signed on to help the city transform itself into a new, budget-friendly and safe environment. Detroit was hit particularly hard by the recession and the loss of manufacturing jobs. Change has been slow for the city, but with Governor Snyder's assistance, things are beginning to move more quickly.
"This ties into what Gov. Snyder has been talking about for some time and is one of the ways the state can help support the city and builds upon the state's commitment to help address blight as outlined in the financial stability agreement between the city and state," Wufel told The News in an email.
Roy Roberts, one of the heads of the Detroit Public School system, told The News he "was grateful for the continued support from the governor, mayor, state, local, and county agencies… This greatly assists my efforts as I work to make Detroit Public Schools the national leader in education it once was and can and will be again."
