This page will provide you with some insight on what the city of Detroit has decided to do with the abandoned buildings and it will demonstrate how this is a serious issue in Detroit. It will provide you with some information on the program that the city is doing as well as the impact that it has had. Furthermore, there is information on how the residents feel about the city’s plan as well as what they have been doing to make Detroit a better place for everyone. Although it’s going to be a slow recovery the city’s plan can definitely be successful with hard work and dedication. Detroit can slowly, but gradually be reborn after its tragic fall.
Detroit's Demolition Program
Over the years the number of abandoned buildings have increased. The city of Detroit has come to a conclusion to help the city rise again. This would benefit many people as well as the city. The Detroit Demolition program is the largest program in the entire country and many are hopeful that this program will be successful. They have decided to tear down numerous buildings that are vacant . In the article, Detroit Urged to Tear Down 40,000 buildings by Monica Davey it states "recommended that the city spend at least $850 million to quickly tear down about 40,000 dilapidated buildings." The city of Detroit has now been demolishing abandoned buildings. Most of the demolitions that happen in the city are done by using the "Federal Hardest Hit Funds." Meaning that It can only be spent on "federal designated areas". In the article. " Detroit Demolitions to Reignite Growth in City", it states that "more than 10,700 homes have been demolished." The demolitions of buildings include , schools,homes, apartments, churches etc. The demolition program is meant to be a positive thing for the city of Detroit.
Blight in Detroit
This map shows how immense blight is and how it is a serious problem in Detroit. The blue dots on the map are buildings that the city has suggested to remove during the demolition program. The light green dots on the map are just vacant lots that are also affected by blight. It is going to take a lot of work to remove blight in Detroit because of the high number of vacant buildings that are found along the city. According to the article, Report Gives Detroit an Estimate to Fix Its Blight Problem , it states, "The task force concluded that Detroit suffers with 84,641 blighted or nearly blighted structures and vacant lots, of which some 40,000 are so bad off they should be demolished and cleaned up immediately."
Number of Demolitions by County
This map provides an overview of how many buildings have been demolished by district. . As you can see the map shows different colors. The darker color means that more demolitions have occurred within that district. Where as the lighter color means that less buildings have been demolished within that district.
All of the Demolitions
This map provides a specific overview of the demolitions that have occurred in Detroit. The orange dots represents every single building that has been demolished, By clicking on the image it will take you the city's website where more information is provided. You will be able to find more information on each demolition that has taken place. |
Detroit Demolition Page
The picture below is the Detroit Demolition Program website where a lot of information is provided regarding number of buildings that have demolished under the program. It gives insight on the location on where the demolition occurred and the cost that it was to demolish it. Information on upcoming demolitions are listed. This website was provided by the cit of Detroit; it is very helpful and it is easy to keep track of when the next demolition will occur. Feel free to go to Detroit Demolition Program where you will be able to interact more with website and learn more about the program or just click the image below.
With the Demolition Program many buildings have been demolished. The mayor of Detroit, Mike Dugan, envisioned a certain amount of buildings that he wanted to get rid. According to Detroit Demolition Impact Report states “thousands of vacant homes have been removed at a more rapid pace than ever before in Detroit’s history.” Mike has definitely been committed on removing the abandoned buildings that are found throughout the city in order to make it a better place. The pictures below are shown to demonstrate homes that have been demolished.
The Impact on Detroit
The demolition program has had its positive effects. In the Detroit Demolition Impact Report, it states “ each demolition in the targeted demolition zones increase the value of occupied single family homes within 500 feet by an estimated 4.2 %.” Ever since the city of Detroit began the demolition program the values of the homes have slowly began coming up which is a good thing because the houses near by would be worth more than what they were. The removal of abandoned buildings has really had a positive impact on Detroit including homes. The value of homes are now increasing because of the demolition of abandoned homes. Occupied homes are now worth about $3, 600. As stated in the Detroit Demolition Impact Report, "Each occupied house in the Hardest Hit Fund Blight Elimination target zones is now worth more – by about $3,600 – because of the HHF Demolition Program."
To get a full Impact Report on the Demolition Program click on one of the images provided above or just click on Detroit Demolition Impact Report where a full report can be accessed.
How are Residents Reacting
The video below will show how a demolition is done and how the residents of Detroit feel about it .
The video below shows how a Detroit resident named, Myrdis Applewhite , feels now the abandoned home next to her is finally being demolished.
Some people have been pleased with the city that they are finally tearing down the abandoned homes. The residents often feel more frightened when living near an abandoned house because of the possible things that could happen. For example, Ms. Van Tardy is one of the residents that worries living next to an abandoned home. Her husband is very concerned especially when their younger nieces go over to visit them. They feel as If something could potentially happen to them. According to the article, Detroiters' Good Intentions are Tested by Blight , he says " they could take them to the house, kill them, rape them, anything like that, Ms. Van- Tardy's husband , Eldridge Tardy , said of the nearby abandoned houses" (1).
The video to the right shows how Ms. Van Tardy is happy now that the abandoned home is being teared down. |
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Some of the residents of Detroit agree with the idea of the city demolishing abandoned buildings. For example, in the article Detroit Charity Turns Blight into Gardens, Parks, and Homes by Nicole Wallace states “ Blight Busters created a human garden that it hopes to expand to a full-blown urban farm when it finishes clearing a two- block area of abandoned housing.”(1) Some of the residents want the abandoned buildings to be demolished to create a farmland to make Detroit a better place to live. They also agree with the tear down of the abandoned buildings because of the crime that goes inside of them.Blight Busters is founded by a man named John George. While living in Detroit George had an experience when he lived near an abandoned home it mentions “ When Mr. George’s son was two and his wife was pregnant with their daughter , a vacant home in their neighborhood was taken over by crack dealers” (2).
Some people agree with the demolition program, but others believe that some buildings become reserved. According to the article, Calls for Rebirth , Not Demolition, in Detroit, it mentions “ Preservationists understand that demolition must be part of the strategy for Detroit’s future, but we need to ensure that the city’s most important historic buildings are spared so they can become building blocks for the future”(3). People want to preserve historical buildings and they want to make sure that the city does not demolish them. They believe that the city should find alternative ways in making sure to keep the historic buildings.
Click on one of the above links if you wish to go back to the Rise or Ruin page of Abandoned Buildings which are Racial Tensions and Reasons for the Decline. Or to learn about the Demolished Buildings in Detroit.
1. Eligon, John. "Detroiters' Good Intentions Are Tested by Blight." New York Times, 13 Dec. 2014, p. A1(L).AcademicOneFile,cod.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=cod_lrc&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA393325495&it=r&asid=18168a4dcb50104ed320c0d3fa23da66. Accessed 27 Apr. 2017.
2. Wallace, Nicole. “ Detroit Charity Turns Blight into Gardens, Parks, and Homes.” The Chronicle of Philanthropy , 11 Aug. 2013. Academic OneFile
3. “ Calls for Rebirth, Not Demolition, in Detroit.” New York Times, 7 June 2014,p. A20(L). Academic OneFile
2. Wallace, Nicole. “ Detroit Charity Turns Blight into Gardens, Parks, and Homes.” The Chronicle of Philanthropy , 11 Aug. 2013. Academic OneFile
3. “ Calls for Rebirth, Not Demolition, in Detroit.” New York Times, 7 June 2014,p. A20(L). Academic OneFile