Highland Park partners with Wayne County Land Bank on proposed $2.5 million anti-blight program

If approved, the cash will go toward demolishing homes and other buildings that pose a danger to the public.

Wayne County Land Bank Executive Director Anthony Cartwright standing behind a podium next to Highland Park Mayor Hubert Yopp at the press conference on Monday

Highland Park Mayor Hubert Yopp (left) and Wayne County Land Bank Executive Director Anthony Cartwright (right) at the press conference on Monday.

The city of Highland Park is partnering with the Wayne County Land Bank to address blight in the city. The $2.5 million blight removal program will be funded by money from the American Rescue Plan. If approved, the cash will go toward demolishing homes and other buildings that pose a danger to the public.

Under pressure from residents, Highland Park Mayor Hubert Yopp held a press conference Monday at the Ernest T. Ford Recreation Center to announce the anti-blight program, saying he’s committed “to move the city forward.”

Anthony Cartwright is the Executive Director for the Wayne County Land Bank. He says the county is working with Highland Park to further the program.

“We figured out what we have to do and as we get this program through proposed with proper channels, we will get back with you to assist with more information about the program,” he says.

Cartwright says the county is working with the city to determine which structures to prioritize.

A recent report showed that the city is losing residents and cited blight as one of the top reasons.

Photo credit: Nargis Hakim Rahman/WDET.

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Author

  • Nargis Rahman
    Nargis Hakim Rahman is the Civic Reporter at 101.9 WDET. Rahman graduated from Wayne State University, where she was a part of the Journalism Institute of Media Diversity.