10,000 Acres of Farmland - in Inner Detroit?

Community agriculture this is not. Large scale, urban agriculture is the vision of wealthy businessman and 20-year Detroit resident John Hantz that would transform blighted, East Side's vacant and city-owned properties into a profit-making tree farm.

2 minute read

July 8, 2012, 7:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


Matthew Dolan writes of John Hantz' ambitious proposal that counts many backers, including Mayor . Since his initial proposal, Hantz has downsized to "200 acres to start". It's gaining supporters, including Mayor Dave Bing.

While other Rust Belt cities have vacant properties, none are in the scale of Detroit.

From Interactive Graphic - Motor City Vacancy: "After losing more than 1 million residents since 1950, Detroit has a greater share of vacant land - by some estimates 40 square miles, or more than a quarter of the city's 139 square miles - than almost any other U.S. city. Dozens of groups are using some of these empty lots to grow crops. Select icons (in graphic) to see proposed and existing projects."

"Detroit has more than 200,000 vacant parcels-almost half of them residential plots-that generate no significant tax revenue and would cost more to maintain than the city can afford. Finding new uses for this land has become one of the most pressing challenges for a city that lost a quarter of its population in the past decade."

Hantz proposes to purchase "about 2,300 parcels and planting oak trees, then maybe fruit orchards and hydroponic vegetables. The hardwoods could be harvested and sold within a decade to customers looking for young trees, according to Hantz Farms."

Among the urban agriculture community, Hantz Farms is a mixed-bag.

A small-scale organic farmer quoted in the article states that "the value of Detroit's land lies not in its profit potential, but in 'community-building (and) green spaces"

Watch Matthew Dolan's Video: "A Tree Grows In Detroit" on Hantz Farms proposal.

Note: WSJ links may be time-limited without subscription.

Friday, July 6, 2012 in The Wall Street Journal - U.S.

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.