Brightmoor Mass Blight Removal Project Making Significant Progress; Governor Commends Work Of Detroit Blight Authority
By: Mark Winter
DETROIT – The Brightmoor mass blight removal project mounted by Mayor Dave Bing and the Detroit Blight Authority, chaired by Bill Pulte, is making significant progress as it moves into its second month.
So far, project workers have removed more than 200 tires and nearly 84 tons of debris, trash and dead trees and brush from the neighborhood in an effort that began in late June. The project area covers more than 420 lots and 14 city blocks.
Gov. Rick Snyder toured the neighborhood today to observe the project’s progress and commended Bing, Pulte, and the Detroit Blight Authority for their efforts.
“Neighborhoods across Michigan continue to struggle with the harmful effects of vacant and abandoned properties. This blight fosters crime, hurts home values and weakens efforts to revitalize communities,” the governor said. “The Brightmoor project shows how public and private organizations can come together and work together with an innovative approach to fight blight and improve neighborhoods.”
The governor announced earlier this month that Detroit and four other Michigan cities – Flint, Grand Rapids, Pontiac, and Saginaw – had been approved to receive $100 million in federal funds for blight elimination efforts.
The funding will support a major expansion of the ongoing efforts of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and other state partners to fight blight.
Pulte thanked the governor for his support of blight removal efforts.
“Governor Snyder recognizes that fighting blight on a large scale is one of the keys to restoring neighborhoods and revitalizing Detroit and other cities. Massive blight removal can make a big difference in the lives of the people living in these neighborhoods,” he said.
The first phase of the Brightmoor effort, which includes all non-structured blight (trash, debris, dead forestry) removal, is well under way. Phase two will include utility disconnects, asbestos removal, and lastly, structure demolition. That will begin after the Brightmoor Alliance and the Detroit Blight Authority secure the necessary funding.
Earlier this year, the Detroit Blight Authority, in partnership with Mayor Dave Bing, successfully cleared a 10-block area at the corner of St. Aubin and Wilkins Street, near Detroit’s Eastern Market.
To view photos of the Governor and Pulte visiting the Brightmoor neighborhood, click below.
From left: Reverend Larry Williams, Gov. Rick Snyder, Bill Pulte
From left: William Pulte, Gov. Rick Snyder, Bill Pulte
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