I don't understand the timing of this. The experts are coming on thursday, yet 2 days before we hear their advice the city is planning on going through and condemning all the substandard property in Parkridge.

Are Kildee and Hovey familiar with the practices and procedures and laws governing our local codes enforcement? What works in another city and state won't automatically work here.

I'm concerned because Parkridge is/can be a beautiful neighborhood with charming houses. Just because there is stimulus money available to tear down houses doesn't mean there should be wholesale condemnation.

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more construction, less politics

Except for one sagging shutter my property is in good shape. All brick, trim recently painted. My renters are law abiding citizens, I'm glad to see you appreciate that. When I was a real estate agent I sold homes to many of your neighborhood leaders. I've been fighting crime in my little corner of the neighborhood for 18 years so I am familiar with the issues.

Do you want the neighborhood turning into Burlington? Take a drive around lansing and ivy avenues and tell me if thats what you want. Almost a third of the properties are vacant lots. It doesn't make for a safe or particularly attractive neighborhood.

Metulj, I'm old enough to remember when the 4th & Gill neighborhood was in worse shape than Parkridge. Do you think it would have achieved its glory if 1/3 of the houses had been town down?

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more construction, less politics

I realize there are problems and they need to be fixed. A quit claim is not the answer because that doesn't give a responsible developer clear title to a lot obtained through tax sale.

Besides, I like old houses. And I know from abandoned houses as there is one next door to a house I own in 4th & Gill. As bad as it looks, it contributes to the texture of the street and I'd rather it be there than a vacant lot. While it stands, there is hope that soemone could undertake the legal maneuvering to get it re-habbable. So while I'm aware it affects my property values* I've not had a problem keeping my place rented to good tenants.

* Didn't keep my taxes from going up 60% though.

I've seen a huge turnaround in the perception of Parkridge in the last year. Mostly due to police responsiveness IMHO. I say keep up the good work and allow the revitalization to run its course before you advocate wholesale tearing down of houses.

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more construction, less politics

I remember calling the police non emergency line a few years ago to report a drug dealer on the corner. "what do you want me to do about it?" was the response.

Yes, I understand you can't just whisk him up and ship him to gitmo. I'm glad we live in a country where we all have rights. But if you had a narc on call to make a buy that would be nice. Or just send a patrol car by to give him the hairy eyeball and ask some questions. Is that too much to ask?

Maybe there is merit to the building better cases argument, but if they tell you there hasn't been a complaint you can tell them they are hearing one now.

As for the vacant lots & abandoned houses, the only way to clear the title in less than 15 yrs is the process known locally as the homemakers program. I thought I read that the city had only made 5 such transactions in the last year.

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more construction, less politics

Frank Carlson follows up

City, County Look to Address Blight Through Title Reform
Blighted properties are ugly, costly, and dangerous—but local laws may need fixing first
By Frank N. Carlson
Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Metropulse