As Detroiters vote early in person, mail-in their ballots, or cast ballots on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, they will have the opportunity to not only shape how America will look for the next four years based on the presidential race, but will also have a say in how Detroit will look – literally – for decades to come.
While the presidential race is heated, perhaps the most hot-button issue facing Detroiters will be whether to vote “yes” or “no” on Proposal N. The proposal is a comprehensive plan to address what should be done with approximately 16,000 vacant houses, either through demolition or rehabilitation. In essence, it would take down 8,000 blighted homes across the city, while preserving, renovating, and selling 8,000 homes to Detroiters. If approved by voters, it would put the City of Detroit in the position to sell $250 million in Neighborhood Improvement Bonds, to be paid off over a 30-year period.
The Michigan Chronicle believes that voting “yes” on Proposal N will implement a viable plan, which will greatly improve the safety, value, and aesthetics of our neighborhoods. We see the proposal as a way for Detroiters to be hired by demolition and preservation companies in Detroit when contracted to do the work in neighborhoods across the city. We also see the passage of Proposal N as giving Detroiters preference in the purchase of rehab homes or vacant lots in their neighborhoods.
The Detroit City Council voted 5-4 in July to place the $250 million blight bond proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot. Since Council’s approval, there have been nonstop conversations and meetings citywide amid individuals, community groups, and other stakeholders, all voicing their opinions about whether voters should vote “yes” or vote “no” on Proposal N.
Some of the “no” voices have pointed to controversies that past city demolition programs have been linked to such as questionable bidding practices, unexplained higher costs, little to no checks of contractors, charges of bribery, fraud, and the failure to have little or no transparency or accountability. Other voices speak out to express how Detroit homeowners have been subjected to overtaxed properties to the tune of at least $600 million after officials failed to accurately reduce and correct property values on the heels of the Great Recession just over a decade ago. Some voices believe the $250 million bond is cover for another way of scamming Detroit property owners.
Conversely, there are “yes” voices that feel that Proposal N will finally benefit the upgrade of the entire city, instead of just selected neighborhoods or downtown.
“For the past six years, I’ve heard from residents living in neighborhoods where the restricted federal demolition funds didn’t allow us to go,” said Mayor Duggan in a statement. “Their question is always the same: When is it going to be our turn? We owe them an answer and Proposal N is it. We’ll finally be able to reach every neighborhood, create good jobs and opportunities, and make land and homeownership more accessible to more Detroiters.”
While the Chronicle supports a “yes” vote on Proposal N, we make this endorsement with the knowledge and beliefs that reform, transparency, and accountability will better shape how 8,000 abandoned homes will be rehabbed for Detroiters to purchase, and 8,000 abandoned homes to be demolished. City officials believe that all can be accomplished without raising Detroiters’ property taxes.
Unlike previous years, Detroit City Council, not Detroit Land Bank Authority, will have 100% of the supervisory oversight and management of demolitions. In addition, an advisory panel will have a public viewing of proposals for all future demolitions. The panel will evaluate and make judgments on demolition programs, reporting publicly what is and what is not working, along with recommendations to remedy problems.
We understand that mistakes and problems can and will happen on any major endeavor, regardless of what it is. However, what stands out in the name of integrity is how mistakes and problems are addressed in the name of public transparency.
While there will never be one hundred percent agreement on any issue of this size and magnitude, the Chronicle believes it’s time to rid our neighborhoods of blighted conditions, punctuated by burned-out, abandoned, and dangerous houses and adjacent properties. No more is it acceptable for Detroit to be No. 1 for national media stories regarding being the most blighted “big city” in the country. It’s time to return our Detroit to the days when it was the envy of other cities across America because of our unique housing stock in beautiful neighborhoods.
Studies have shown when blight is eradicated in our neighborhoods, there is an appreciative decline in both violent and property crimes.
“Too many generations of Detroit children have grown up thinking that living between two dangerous houses is normal and acceptable,” Mayor Duggan said in a statement. “It’s not normal and we can end that cycle with Proposal N through the preservation and rehabilitation of 8,000 stable vacant houses and the demolition of 8,000 that can’t be saved.”
On Nov. 3, Detroit voters have a chance to hit the reset button on blight, which will give our neighborhoods the “ultimate Motor City makeover,” one that will present clean, safe, and beautiful neighborhoods to live and play in with pride. Without bond funding for revitalization, the number of homes as rehab candidates will shrink, while the number of houses needing demolition will grow.
In the Nov. 3 election, the Michigan Chronicle unequivocally endorses and supports a “yes” vote on Proposal N.
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