DETROIT – For the second year in a row, the city of Detroit is Jump-Starting its battle against blight with the return of Detroit Demo Week.
The city will be knocking down buildings that no longer serve the community to make way for something new.
The week-long initiative also includes efforts to build community engagement and more.
Living next to an abandoned building hasn’t been the best experience for Nareshay Paul.
“People, they throw glass and stuff on the ground and in the front of the yard. We’re just glad it’s getting torn down. That way if we were to play, we would have to step in glass and stuff,” said Nareshay.
The best part of the process watching the eyesore come down and she wasn’t the only one happy with the demo. The entire neighborhood was invited out to watch - part of a live demonstration happening once a day for Detroit Demolition Week. Director Lajuan Counts says it’s all a part of a plan to be more transparent.
“We clearly stated that we want to be held accountable and so, we have to show you what a demo looks like in order for you to hold us accountable for all the demos that we perform across the city. And so, educating the community is really what it’s about,” said LaJuan Counts.
This is just the kickoff to an entire week of events so people know what to expect from the department. There’s even going to be a city-wide job fair for anyone who wants to join the team.
“We also want to make sure that we are continuing to engage potential talent into the industry,” Counts added.
It’s also part of the reason why Alex Stokes feels better about where he lives.
“Houses like this that become eyesores that have been burned out where there’s nothing to do to them but tear them down, I love to see them come down,” said Alex Stokes
Remember this is just day one of Detroit Demo Week. If you want to get involved, click the following link.