Beautifying the city of Detroit doesn’t happen overnight.
It takes thoughtful people with boots on the ground, and strategies, to make it happen.
On Dec. 2 all of the above was evident during a Detroit Land Bank Authority [DLBA] webinar on ways to beautify city blocks and purchase vacant lots from the DLBA.
The DLBA’s mission is to take blighted properties and rehab them for residential usage. There is a multitude of sales programs available to make homeownership and land purchases accessible to Detroiters. Additionally, they have a Compliance program, necessitating renovation, and occupancy to enhance neighborhoods and tackle real estate concerns. DLBA also works with solo buyers and community organizations and developers for all projects.
Also on tap through the DLBA is a new land reuse program launching in 2021, London Scott, of DLBA, said during the meeting.
Since 2014, DLBA has sold over 15,000 side lots for $100; this equates to the size of Belle Isle plus a quarter of the island’s property.
“This is more than every other land bank in the United States combined — we’re talking a lot of land here,” Scott said, adding that there is a lot more work to be done. Through the DLBA’s Land Reuse Program Tools, they are adding oversize lots, neighborhood lots, infill housing lots, and homestead lots to its roster of programs for residents to purchase.
“Up until recently, responsibilities for vacant land outreach has been shared by multiple departments in DLBA,” Scott said. “What we’ve come to understand by aligning them under one specific team … [we can be] more responsive and better coordinate outreach and marketing strategies.”
That restructuring is a win for residents, especially because before this change, residents were restricted to purchasing street adjacent lots or available property near a resident’s home. In the next couple of months, more lots will be ready for purchase with greater square footage for applicable residents.
“The neighborhood lots program rolled out in October,” he said. “We’ve been receiving a lot of praise for this program. We are excited for this program to expand.”
The Neighborhood Lots Program is coming soon. Details include:
- Allows homeowners to purchase lots within 500 feet of their primary residence
- Purchasers must have a Principal Residence Exemption (PRE)
- Sales limited to two per household
- Sales will have a three-year Compliance period, allowing the DLBA to reconvey the lot if the purchaser is found to be at fault for blight violations
- Requires the endorsement of the local (or at-large) City Council Member, Block Club registered with the Department of Neighborhoods, DLBA Community Partner in good standing, or Department of Neighborhood District Manager or Deputy District Manager.
For more information [email protected] or call 313-974-6869
For more information, please visit buildingdetroit.org.
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