DETROIT – Neighbors in Detroit’s Midwest-Tireman community are demanding accountability after a home bought from the Detroit Land Bank Authority was demolished without the proper city permits, according to the City of Detroit’s Construction and Demolition Department.
Three longtime community advocates — Anita Starks, Anita Martin and Ru‑Shann Long — say they witnessed the demolition at what is now an empty lot at 7727 Bryden on June 16 and immediately began documenting what they saw and contacting city officials in an effort to stop the work.
“We’ve been active in our community. For years, we’ve been active,” Long said.
Long said she noticed multiple workers and a large dumpster at the property and became concerned by what she described as unsafe conditions during the demolition.
“They didn’t have no water. Fumes. Everything. Debris is flying,” Long said, adding that a lack of precautions made her believe it was not a city-run demolition.
Residents said they were worried about potential hazards — including asbestos, gas lines and other fluids — and what could have happened if something went wrong.
“Asbestos. Fluids. The gas line. What if something would have blew up?” Starks said.
City officials say the demolition should not have happened that way.
“To my understanding, the owner hired contractors that was not a licensed demolition contractor,” said Randy Hargraves, chief of construction for the City of Detroit. “In order to wreck a property in the city of Detroit, you must be licensed.”
Inspectors arrived the next day, but neighbors say the house was already knocked down. The remaining debris was red-tagged, and the city later issued an emergency order and shut off gas lines. Contractors were brought in on July 10 to remove debris and clean up the site.
“You mean to tell me my tax dollars went down there and had to clean that mess up?” Long said.
Starks said the situation raises broader questions about oversight when properties are sold and renovated or torn down.
“It’s mind boggling that people can come in, buy these properties, and do whatever without an oversight, without anyone coming in to inspect, without anyone paying attention to the concerns that we have addressed and stated,” she said.
Hargraves said the property owner has been cited.
“We’ve also issued close to $3,000 in tickets against the property owner because of them not abiding by the rules,” Hargraves said.
Local 4 also reached out to the Detroit Land Bank Authority. A spokesperson said the new owner was not allowed to demolish the house under the Detroit Land Bank Authority contract, and because of the alleged breach, the DLBA is taking steps to have the property turned back over to the organization.
If you see a demolition happening without permits, you can report it to Detroit BSEED at 313-224-3202.