Detroit City Council gives OK to plan that will turn lots into farmland

By 5-4 vote, Hantz Woodlands can move ahead with buying land on east side

DETROIT – Detroit City Council has given the OK to turn some vacant lots on the city's east side into farmland.

Hantz Woodlands had asked to buy 140 acres from the city for urban farming for about half-a-million dollars.

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Council voted 5-4 Tuesday to accept their proposal.

The land is between Van Dyke and St. Jean Street and Jefferson and Mack Avenue.

Hollywood actor and human rights activists Danny Glover had come to Detroit by a group that was opposing the plan, saying they felt the community was being left out of the decision.

WATCH: Danny Glover joins Detroit land protest

Detroit City Council passes other big deal

The City Council also on Tuesday passed a contentious law firm contract to help get funding from the state as the city continues to reel in a cash crisis.

By a vote of 5-4, the City Council agreed to go ahead with the $300,000 deal with firm Miller Canfield. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing had hired the firm for advice on city legal issues.

The contract was one of the milestones the city had agreed to with the state in order to get $30 million in escrow fund money.

READ MORE: City Council OKs Miller Canfield contract