Detroit Continues Demolition Program After Lead Risks Revealed

The city of Detroit said it would halt a demolition program after a report revealed the amount of lead released by demolitions into the environment, risking the health of children and other local residents.

2 minute read

October 20, 2020, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Detroit Vacant

James R. Martin / Shutterstock

Kat Stafford and Kristi Tanner provide a bombshell investigative report into the public health outcomes of demolitions in the city of Detroit, finding a trail of broken promises and children at risk from high levels of lead.

Here, Stafford and Tanner summarize the crux of the story:

A 2017 Detroit Health Department task force report concluded there was a potential link between the high number of demolitions occurring in the city during the summer months and elevated blood lead levels of children who live near the demolition sites. The city announced in early 2018 that it would halt nonemergency demolitions in five of the most at-risk ZIP codes — 48202, 48204, 48206, 48213 and 48214 — from May through September.

Except it didn't.

Stafford and Tanner, at the Detroit Free Press, worked with Type Investigations to analyze the nonemergency demolitions approved by the city in the wake of the Detroit Health Department report, finding a large number of approvals. "Work crews in those same neighborhoods continued to raze a total of 219 homes during mid-2018 and in mid-2019. Almost half of them were nonemergency demolitions," according to Stafford and Tanner.

Moreover, the city is "now asking voters to approve a quarter-billion-dollar bond referendum to do even more demolitions." Proposal N for Neighborhoods, also documented in an article by Violet Ikonomova, is on the citywide ballot on November 3.

The article includes a soundbite from U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, who responds to the data reported in the article by calling the demolitions a "grave injustice" for the communities impacted by the environmental risks of demolitions.

Saturday, October 17, 2020 in Detroit Free Press

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

"Stage 4" soundstage wall seen through ornate metal gate at Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles, California.

Demise of Entertainment Industry Mirrors Demise of Housing in LA

Making movies has a lot in common with developing real estate: producers = developers; screenwriters = architects; directors = general contractors. The similarities are more than trivial. Both industries are now hurting in L.A.

3 hours ago - California Planning & Development Report

Two young women roller skating in a park on a sunny day.

How Public Spaces Exclude Teen Girls

Adolescent girls face unique challenges and concerns when navigating public spaces. We can design cities with their needs in mind.

4 hours ago - Next City

Ohio State Senate building nwith modern downtown Columbus skyscrapers in background.

Proposed Ohio Budget Preserves Housing Trust Fund

The Senate-approved budget also creates two new programs aimed at encouraging housing construction.

5 hours ago - Ohio Capital Journal