Got a blight problem on your block? Here’s what to do about it
Blight refers to visible eyesores like illegal dumping, trash containers left at curbside 24/7, cars parked on lawns, abandoned vehicles, rodent infestations, and derelict properties.
The Morningside Blight Brigade was formed to find solutions to persistent neighborhood blight. Try the following steps to get a blight problem resolved:
Report the problem through www.seeclickfix.com or its companion phone app, Improve Detroit. Choose a category or one that sounds close, and your report will get routed to the appropriate city department. It’s always best to include a photo of the problem you want them to address.
If you can’t use the internet for any reason, contact Eboni DeBerry, Deputy District 4 Manager in the Department of Neighborhoods, 313-236-3520 or eboni.deberry@detroitmi.gov. Bear in mind that using seeclickfix.com or Improve Detroit often gets a faster response than calling or emailing the DON. You should also contact the DON if you’ve reported a problem through the digital platforms and the problem isn’t resolved within 10 business days.
If the blight is at a Detroit Land Bank property, in addition to reporting it through seeclickfix.com and Improve Detroit, you can contact them at (313) 880-3653 during business hours, or at inquire@detroitlandbank.org.
You’ll always need the exact address of the problem, which can be challenging if the blight is on a vacant lot or at a vacant house with no address. That’s when Regrid, a national property database, can be very helpful. Go to www.regrid.com and click on “Go to Map.” Enter the address next door to the problem lot or structure in the “Search address” box. Another map will pop up with the lot you’ve entered highlighted. From there you can click on the lot of the problem property to see the address and owner.
If you’ve gone through all these steps and still aren’t getting results, then notify the Morningside Blight Brigade at blightbrigadems@gmail.com. We’re here to help folks deal with the most difficult blight issues. Better yet, come to one of our monthly meetings. Our next one is Saturday, June 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the Morningside Cafe. Please be prepared with photos and descriptions of the steps you’ve already taken. We’ll strategize with you and hopefully come up with a solution together.
