Opinion: Questions Surround End of Detroit Blight Charity

A nonprofit organization that won national attention for its privately funded project to tear down abandoned houses in a blighted Detroit neighborhood has shut down, with City Hall taking over its demolition work, according to The Detroit News.

News columnist Nolan Finley, citing multiple unnamed sources, alleges that Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration forced the Detroit Blight Authority to close under threat of losing demolition permits. The charity was led by Bill Pulte, grandson of the founder of residential construction giant Pulte Homes.

The city says demolition work can be carried out more efficiently if consolidated under the municipal Building Authority and that the agreement to close the charity was reached cordially. Mayoral spokeswoman Alexis Wiley said the Duggan administration remains “open to working with other people” but added that “now there is one plan.” Mr. Pulte declined to comment for the column.

Read a Chronicle of Philanthropy story about the Detroit Blight Authority.