GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— It’s out with the old and abandoned homes in Grand Rapids.
About 100 vacant and foreclosed homes are going to be knocked down around the city beginning Thursday, in what’s being called the largest residential demolition in Grand Rapids history.
The program is called “Fresh Start” and is aimed at cutting down the number of foreclosed homes and stabilizing neighborhoods. It’s part of a partnership between Governor Rick Snyder’s administration, the Michigan State Housing development Authority, the City of Grand Rapids and the Kent County Land Bank Authority.
Neighborhood leaders, fire and police personnel will be on hand for the start of the demolitions, which is set to begin around 11 a.m. Thursday, near the intersection of Franklin and Eastern Streets.
While knocking down about a 100 homes will make a dent, there are more than 78,000 vacant and abandoned homes in five of Michigan’s largest cities, which includes Grand Rapids.
