Senator seeks to launch redevelopment authority for Detroit
Darren A. Nichols / The Detroit News
Detroit --State Sen. Tom George announced this morning he has introduced two bills that would create a Detroit/Wayne County Redevelopment Authority.
The bills, introduced Wednesday, will help revitalize the Metro Detroit area, he said. The authority could include being able to permit investment in public infrastructure such as lighting, curbing and landscaping.
"A redevelopment authority will enable the city and county to have a cohesive strategy for stabilizing and redeveloping tax-reverted properties," said George, R-Kalamazoo, who made his announcement today at the Motor City Blight Busters headquarters in Northwest Detroit. "It will provide critical new measures beyond the ones available for other local land banks."
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George is working on the initiative with Sen. Tupac Hunter, D-Detroit; Sen. Gerald Van Woerkom, R-Muskegon; and Rep. Bert Johnson, D-Detroit, who chairs the Detroit Caucus. George expects the other bills in the package to be introduced soon.
"The redevelopment authority will empower officials to do what's necessary to turn vacant property to productive use," Johnson said.
John George, founder and president of the Motor City Blight Busters, agreed.
"Motor City Blight Busters is always looking for new soldiers in our effort to fight blight and to stabilize and revitalize our community," George said.
dnichols@detnews.com (313) 222-2359
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