Detroit Mayor Dave Bing announced today plans to expand the city's "White Picket Fence" program, which allows residents and businesses to purchase vacant, city-owned lots neighboring their property for $200 each.
Residents in the North End neighborhoods, which runs runs from Woodward to I-75 and Grand Blvd. to Arden Park, are now eligible to participate in effort..
"The major issue we have is blight," said Bing. "So many people have just left their homes, just left the city, it's our responsibility to help clean it up."
The Picket Fence program began earlier this year as a pilot project in southwest Detroit and more than 100 lots have been purchased so far.
Bing said ideally the city would like to expand the program citywide but has limited resources to manage the effort.
Residents purchasing lots through this program are also eligible to receive a gift card to pay for fencing and other supplies to maintain their property.
North End and Southwest Detroit residents interested in purchasing lots should contact Greg Holman with the city's Planning and Development Department at 313.628.0076.
