DLBA and the Quiet Title Process: Friend or Foe?

Articles in the June and July Morningsider discussed the ongoing situation with investor Blake Mikus and his many vacant and blighted houses in Morningside. Since then, we’ve received some updates on where things stand with Blake’s properties and what the Detroit Land Bank Authority’s “Nuisance Abatement” process means for our community.

This Bedford property is owned by Blake Mikus. Image courtesy of Susan Newell

What is happening?

After further investigation into the DLBA lawsuit to take ownership of 15 Mikus-owned properties, we’ve learned that most of them are currently in the “quiet title” phase. This means that the Wayne County Circuit Court has to verify legal ownership before the Land Bank can move forward.

The Quiet Title process is one of the tools that the DLBA uses to claim properties that are a nuisance to the community. However, the legal requirements for quieting title may take several months to play out.

For our community, the quiet title process is a critical step toward getting rid of blight. If the court rules in favor of the DLBA, they will have the authority to take control of 15 Mikus properties and transfer them to new owners who are willing to rehabilitate them, or tear them down if not fixable. This could pave the way for much-needed improvements in our neighborhood.

At this moment, however, these properties remain in a state of limbo, and are more blighted than ever.

But don’t the DLBA and property owners have legal responsibility to upkeep their properties?

Yes. Both the DLBA and individual owners should maintain their properties. Yet when a property is in the quiet title process, it appears that both Blake and the DLBA can deny legal ownership and responsibility

So, while in the long run the quiet title process that the DLBA uses can be a critical tool in claiming blighted property, in the short run it actually adds to the problem of neighborhood blight. While the courts take their time and the process is “good enough for government work,” it is definitely not good for the rest of us living next to eyesores and potentially dangerous properties.

What’s Next?

According to the DLBA, the quiet title process could take months, so we will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as we learn more. The DLBA has yet to respond to our inquiries about the exact status of Blake’s properties in the quiet title stages, but we remain hopeful that a resolution is on the horizon.

In the meantime, we encourage everyone in Morningside to stay engaged. The Blight Brigade will keep pushing for accountability, not just from Blake Mikus, but from all property owners who neglect their responsibilities. Together, we can work toward a blight-free Morningside.

Stay tuned for more updates in our next newsletter.