From The Detroit News:Land banks are one way to deal with some urban problems, but the situation in Detroit is way beyond that. Detroit is in the last stages in a spiral of corruption and decay.
BY LOUIS AGUILAR
Michigan is poised to launch an ambitious plan to take control of thousands of foreclosed, blighted and vacant properties statewide through land bank programs, and hopes to get $290 million in federal funds to accomplish it.
The state leads the nation with 29 land bank authorities, which are quasi-public agencies whose aim is to spark commercial and residential development in struggling areas.
Most states have one or two.
With the federal money expected to come in January, cities such as Detroit and counties such as Oakland are starting land bank agencies for the first time. The state filed for the Housing and Urban Development funding through a coalition that includes 12 city governments and eight counties. It’s a national competition, and the overall fund totals $1.9 billion. Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Pontiac, Saginaw and Wyandotte also would be targeted for revitalization.
The Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority would provide land bank services in Detroit; Oakland County, including Pontiac; and Kent County, including Grand Rapids, until local land banks are ready to take over.
Under the plan, the Michigan land banks aim to buy and redevelop more than 6,000 foreclosed, abandoned and vacant properties. The land banks also envision razing 2,500 structures and rehabilitating or building 1,500 homes.
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Don't watch this unless you are mentally resilient.
Mayor Dave Bing is trying to paddle away from the whirlpool that plummets into the urban abyss, but the city can't do it alone and the state is led by people without vision. There is only one way out of this mess... read this.
It is time for some "creative destruction."