Flint nears end of historic blight-elimination program
The last of nearly 1,800 dilapidated houses demolished with blight-removal funding from MSHDA will come down by end of June
| WHO: | Flint Mayor Dayne Walling Genesee County Treasurer and Land Bank Board Chair Deb Cherry Dan Kildee, U.S. Congressman (D-Flint) Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Executive Director Kevin Elsenheimer |
| WHAT: | News conference announcing the results of a roughly two-year effort to significantly reduce blight in Flint, the largest-ever such initiative in the city. The Genesee County Land Bank is on track to demolish 1,766 blighted houses under its $22.7 million Hardest Hit Fund grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. So far, 1,682 foreclosed and dilapidated structures have been demolished since the Land Bank and MSHDA launched the blight-removal campaign in October 2013, and 84 more will come down by the end of the month. MSHDA first awarded $20.1 million in Hardest Hit Funds to demolish, green and maintain vacant and blighted properties in public ownership. An additional $2.6 million was later awarded to focus on blight elimination in the Civic Park Neighborhood. Please note: In addition to federal, state and local officials, Flint neighborhood leaders will also attend the news conference and can offer perspective on how removing the worst houses can help stabilize neighborhoods, reduce crime and create opportunities for new investment. |
| WHEN: | 11:00 AM Monday, June 8, 2015 |
| WHERE: | 518/522 W. Pulaski, Flint (lots where houses were demolished; near W. Pierson Road and DuPont Street) Rain location: |
