Detroit Knocks Down 10,000th Structure

The Duggan Administration hit a milestone knocking down the ten thousandth blighted building in Detroit.

The Duggan Administration demolished its ten thousandth vacant building this morning…marking a milestone in Detroit’s blight removal effort.

The program began two and a half years ago…knocking down buildings at an average of 75 buildings a week.

Mayor Mike Duggan says the milestone shows the quality of life has improved in another neighborhood.

It means for ten thousand families you don’t have to go to sleep at night anymore worrying that the vacant house next to you is going to catch fire and spread to your house and your family. It means that you don’t have to worry about your children being snatched up into the house. You don’t have to worry that your property values are continuing to deteriorate.

Duggan says Detroit is on track to remove five thousand more structures this year…and six thousand in 2017.

He expects it to take six years to remove the remaining blighted buildings…if federal funding remains constant. 

Author

  • Bre'Anna Tinsley
    Bre'Anna Tinsley is a reporter for Detroit Public Radio, 101.9 WDET. She covers city government and housing, as well as co-hosting the "Detroit Evening Report" podcast.