Blight Fight: Detroit's Aggressive Approach to Nuisance Abatement is Sparking Some Redevelopment

Abstract:     
For those of you who do not know, Wayne County and the City of Detroit have been combatting blight for many years. Several years ago, as a law student working in Michigan, I had the opportunity to work for Wayne County codemning blighted and abandoned properties. The program files legal complaints against these properties and forces the owner to repair the property, sell the property and if the owner does nothing, the County will take title to the property. Not surprisingly, Wayne County's program is one of the most aggressive blight programs in the nation when compared to other large cities. This article speaks to the evoluction of the Wayne County Nuisance Abatement Program and whether its tactics are legal.

Keywords: Blight, Detroit, Nuisance Abatement, Michigan, Andrew Dick, Urban Redevelopment

Accepted Paper Series