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Second Edition Detroit Vacant Property Toolbox

By Lori Ella Miller, Detroit LISC Scribe

Recently, some 150 Detroiters assembled at the Gleaner’s Community Food Bank on Detroit’s Eastside to participate in the “Neighborhoods First” event.  This daylong workshop was designed to allow attendees to share ideas and resources that create positive change and neighborhood revitalization. 

Heidi Mucherie (L) and Michelle Story-Stewart (R) greet guest speaker, Karla Henderson, Director, Buildings and Safety Engineering, City of Detroit

The Neighborhoods First event was organized and sponsored by The Detroit Vacant Property Campaign (DVPC), an initiative of Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) that is led by Community Legal Resources (CLR).   The organizers used this gathering as an opportunity to debut the second edition of the “Vacant Property Toolbox,” produced and published by the DVPC.  

Each attendee received a copy of the toolbox, which serves as a “turn-key” guide and information resource for residents, community organizations and other stakeholders to help address the city’s growing vacant property crisis.

The toolbox includes a wealth of valuable material and techniques that can help the community effectively market and promote neighborhoods; green vacant land; address vacant commercial properties; build capacity and plan for the future. 

Attendees visit resource tables to gather material and meet with experts

The Neighborhoods First workshop included remarks by Heidi Mucherie, Executive Director of CLR; Michelle Story-Stewart, Senior Program Officer for Detroit LISC and DVPC Education Coordinator Malika Heath.

“We want to provide ideas, best practices and resources to the residents and grassroots organizations currently being impacted by vacant properties.  We also welcome the opportunity for feedback from the community,” said Story-Stewart.   “This event is called Neighborhoods First because rebuilding the neighborhoods is vital to bringing Detroit back to its former glory.”

The event also featured a lively panel discussion by representatives from a variety of community organizations, including: Lolita Haley, a real estate broker active in neighborhood and business district organizations; Cathy Marshall from the Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation (GRDC); Joe Rashid from Southwest Housing Solutions; and Ava Tinsley representing the Central Woodward/North End Collaborative. 

Each panelist provided advice on community advocacy, best practices for vacant property standards; the utilization of social media; marketing and branding a neighborhood; effective safety initiatives and greening vacant land.  

According to Cathy Marshall, GRDC keeps a database of all the vacant properties in the area.  This CDC distributes a list of “problem” homes to the Detroit police department, fire department and the neighborhood city hall.  Marshall also mentioned that GRDC has developed a “Vacant Property Maintenance Standards” document, which is given to all residents vacating a property, as well as to the banks, realtors and new owners.  

More participation at resource tables

“The Neighborhoods First event reinforced this community’s determination to strengthen neighborhoods even in these difficult times.  We were inspired by their stories and successes……their wisdom will help point the city in the right direction,” Heidi Mucherie, Executive Director of Community Legal Resources.

Several notable civic leaders also addressed the group, including Al Fields, Group Executive, City of Detroit Mayor’s Office.

Fields, who spoke on behalf of the mayor’s office, informed the group that the city is actively focused on blight removal, as well as “smart growth alignment.”  The city is also attempting to change perceptions by utilizing new terminology, such as “open land, open properties and properties available for a good purpose.”

Fields stated that his office is open to hearing from city residents about their vision for the future of the community. 

Karla Henderson, the Director of Buildings and Safety Engineering for the City of Detroit was also on hand. Henderson, who has been in her new role for nine months, has created a strong and collaborative partnership with the CLR and the DVPC.   She stated that her department has formed a small task force of inspectors who are collaborating with the DVPC.  Henderson also updated the audience on the current vacant property demolition initiative, as well as plans for the enactment of a Vacant Properties Registration Ordinance. 

Flozell Daniels, Jr., President and CEO of the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, served as the keynote speaker.  Daniels gave an impassioned speech on New Orleans and the importance of community engagement, community resources and neighborhood empowerment in the post Katrina age.

“This community, much like New Orleans, has been through some good days and bad days.  It is exciting to see so many of you taking action to produce more good days,” said Daniels.

Daniels stressed that there is “power in partnerships, pressure and planning.”   He emphasized the importance of building strong alliances and powerful partnerships on the grass-root, as well as grass-top levels. 

Daniels encouraged our community organizers, neighborhood leaders and engaged citizens to set forth plans and ideas that reflect the aspirations of the neighborhoods and the city at large.

Following the keynote address, the attendees participated in focus group “visioning” sessions.  These sessions provided an opportunity to brainstorm and discuss ideas for advancing a community engagement agenda.

After a full and productive morning, it was time to break bread and network.   A delicious and healthy lunch was prepared and served by Chef Alison Costello and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.

The event closed with free-flowing conversations as the attendees visited resource tables hosted by: Michigan Legal Services; Greening of Detroit; WARM Training; Detroit Office of Foreclosure Prevention and Response; Data Driven Detroit and the Detroit Buildings and Safety Engineering Department.

For more information, or to obtain a complimentary copy of the Vacant Property Toolbox, contact the Detroit Vacant Property Campaign at (313) 962-3171, or log onto: www.detroitvacantproperty.org.