DETROIT – State money from a mortgage settlement fund could be used to demolish abandoned buildings near public schools, the Detroit Free Press reported.
More than 5,000 vacant buildings are within 400 yards of city schools, according to the Free Press.
The Free Press reported that the demolition program would likely target vacant buildings near Cesar Chavez Academy and Bennett, Harms and Roberto Clemente elementary schools.
A former board member of the MorningSide Community Organization voiced skepticism, telling the Free Press: “What are we going to do with the vacant lots? How does demolishing houses make the neighborhood safer if the city’s not going to clean up the land?”
SOURCE: Detroit Free Press, “Gov. Rick Snyder’s plan would raze abandoned houses in Detroit," July 14, 2012
FURTHER READING: Mackinac Center for Public Policy, “Private Initiative in a Detroit Neighborhood," Jan. 16, 2009
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