Election Day 2020 is over and votes in Detroit are being tallied to determine whether Proposal N (Neighborhood Improvement Bond Proposal) gets a thumbs up from voters, as in “yes” or thumbs down, as in “no.”
Based on the voting numbers reported by the City Clerk’s office, the Michigan Chronicle, at its press deadline, reports Proposal N is too close to call. As votes continue to be counted and a clear determination is reached, the Michigan Chronicle will post results on its online platform at www.michiganchronicle.com.
Proposal N has been a hot button issue since Detroit City Council voted 5-4 in July to place the $250 million blight bond proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot. The proposal is a comprehensive plan to address what should be done with approximately 16,000 vacant houses in the city, either through demolition or rehabilitation. If passed, Proposal N would teardown 8,000 blighted homes across the city, while preserving, renovating, and selling 8,000 homes to Detroiters. If approved, the proposal 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 has endorsed voting “yes” on Proposal N, as we believe it is a viable plan, which will greatly improve the safety, value, and aesthetics of our neighborhoods. The Michigan Chronicle is aware of the “no” positions taken by some community organizations, citizens, and leaders.
We heard the voices that spoke out on past demolition programs that were punctuated with questionable bidding practices, charges of bribery, fraud, and little to no transparency or accountability. We heard the voices of Detroit homeowners subjected to overtaxed properties registering at an astounding $600 million.
While the Michigan Chronicle supported a “yes” vote on Proposal N, we made this endorsement with the knowledge and beliefs that profound reform, transparency, and broader and better oversight and accountability by Detroit City Council – not the Detroit Land Bank Authority – will provide a smooth system of demolition oversight and management. We believe such oversight will result in the successful rehab of 8,000 abandoned homes for Detroiters to purchase and 8,000 abandoned homes to be demolished. City officials believe this can be accomplished without raising Detroiters’ property taxes.
The Michigan Chronicle sees a “yes” vote on Proposal N as a pathway for Detroiters to be hired by demolition and preservation companies in Detroit when such companies are contracted to do the work in neighborhoods across the city. Without bond funding for revitalization, we believe the number of homes as rehab candidates will shrink, while the number of houses needing demolition will grow.
We hope that our “yes’ endorsement has motivated Detroit voters to put our beloved city in a position to make our neighborhoods safe, make our neighborhoods beautiful, make the value of our neighborhood homes rise, and make our neighborhoods family friendly. And the benefits will not just be for upgrading selected neighborhoods but will crisscross to include all neighborhoods in the city.
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