Kevyn Orr, Detroit’s emergency manager, has expressed his belief that the city can clear its backlog of 78,000 blighted buildings within the next 18-36 months.
"Orr told the Free Press on Tuesday that Detroit’s 2-month-old blight task force, co-chaired by Quicken Loans founder and chairman Dan Gilbert, will soon have a plan to deal with all of the estimate 78,000 blighted structures 'in basically a year-and-a-half to three years, to remediate the city of all blight, in some fashion,'” reports Tom Walsh.
As we noted recently, the task force is leading an effort to document the city's crumbling and vacant properties - the first step in tackling the scourge. Walsh notes that the database could be completed early next year.
New Orleans' experience in clearing properties damaged and abandoned following Hurricane Katrina may provide a model for the shrinking city.
Read the full story: Tom Walsh: Orr dreams of a blight-free Detroit within 3 years
Detroit Blight Fight Begins in Earnest Monday
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Getting to Know Decaying Detroit, Parcel-by-Parcel
An "unprecedented" effort being led by Detroit’s new Blight Task Force will document the city's crumbling and vacant properties. It's part of a multi-pronged effort to combat Detroit's widespread blight.
Detroit Mayor Proposes Vacant Lot Tax
A new tax plan would reform the city’s famously low vacancy tax rates in an effort to stimulate more housing development and limit speculation.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
Philadelphia to invest $2 billion into upgrading city airports as PHL places last in customer satisfaction
Modernizations to Philadelphia's airports will include baggage system upgrades and a new automated parking garage guidance system.
The LA housing policies making developers turn away from the city
Despite LA’s housing shortage, developers say the city’s "mansion-tax" and pandemic-era policies make it an unappealing place to build housing.
New density bill would require 7 California cities to establish regional transit hubs
The bill would also require major cities in California to permit high-rise residential buildings.
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Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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