Blight Brigade Completing Our Search for Neglected Vacant Properties

Shortly after the Great Mortgage Meltdown in 2008, Morningside was awash in vacant houses that scrappers quickly stripped of windows, doors, furnaces, and copper, and left to decay. Seventeen years and many demolitions later, there are only a few blighted vacant houses scattered throughout the community, and those are generally left intact. But even one blighted house is one too many.

As part of Morningside Community Organization’s ongoing commitment to eliminating blight completely, the Blight Brigade has surveyed the 19 streets and almost 200 blocks that make up Morningside over the past few months, taking photos of blighted vacant properties and researching owners. We originally thought we would focus only on the twelve worst properties, i.e. the “Dirty Dozen,” but maybe we can set our sights higher if enough residents get involved.

So far, we’ve identified 34 properties that deserve attention, and there could be a few more that we’ve missed. We encourage you to submit photos of any blighted vacant houses on your block to sdnewell50@gmail.com. You must include an address for us to consider it.

Some of these houses are foreclosed and will likely be auctioned by the Wayne County Treasurer in September. Some are owned by the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA). Still others are owned by private individuals or investors. Each type of property may require a different approach to remediate the blight. We’ll have a meeting of all interested in discussing next steps later this summer. Stay tuned!

5098 Three Mile Drive

4191 Devonshire