Detroit Demolitions Policies and Procedures
Executive Summary
Two students partnered with District 6 City Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero to provide policy recommendations regarding the processes for dealing with dangerous buildings within Detroit. The students gathered and synthesized information about local demolition practices in Detroit. Through research and engagement meetings, they collected information about the dangerous building notification processes, resident rights throughout the process, city processes from determination to completion, and data regarding demolition processes in similarly-sized midwestern cities. Given the lack of cohesive and publicly available information currently available from Detroit’s Demolition and Buildings, Safety, Engineering, and Environmental Departments (BSEED), the students investigated the City Ordinance and municipal code. The students presented their findings in Detroit City Council chambers to inform Council member Santiago-Romero of the demolition process and her legislative powers as an elected official.