DETROIT – A trash-strewn, abandoned apartment complex on Detroit’s west side is drawing renewed criticism after neighbors and local business owners shared videos showing illegal dumping and other suspicious activity around the property.
Residents near Greenfield Road and 6 Mile say the building at 16831 Greenfield has become a growing nuisance, with garbage piling up outside and scattered throughout the area.
“This is an eyesore. Nobody wants to see this,” said nearby resident Dinah Campbell, who described the situation as “very frustrating,” adding that she feels the city hasn’t responded with enough urgency.
Over the weekend, a video posted to social media by Charles Miles and Michael Evans went viral, highlighting the conditions around the complex. Evans, a local business owner, said what he saw was unacceptable—especially in the alley behind the building. He also pushed back on the notion that residents are to blame, saying the city collects taxes and revenue and needs to ensure the area is cleaned up.
Detroit’s Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett Jr. said the city has been aware of the property for months and pointed to long-term neglect by the building’s owners and other problem property owners along Greenfield Road.
“Landlords who own those buildings that have long been abandoned simply do not do what it takes to make sure that those buildings are, in fact, compliant with the ordinance,” Mallett said.
Mallett said the property was discussed during budget hearings last week by Detroit City Council President James Tate and Council Member Angela Whitfield Calloway. He added that beyond the immediate cleanup, the city needs more durable solutions, including more permanent boarding of vacant buildings.
The city’s law department says it plans to pursue a show-cause lawsuit against the property owner, based on tickets issued by city inspectors. Officials also say they will continue ticketing anyone caught dumping at the site.
Campbell said she hopes the next steps bring visible change. “I want this cleaned up,” she said.
City officials say a cleanup plan is already in motion. Multiple city departments are expected to be on-site at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, and outreach teams will also be there to work with anyone using the abandoned building for shelter.