Ann Arbor mayor blames state for failure to demolish North Main houses by March 15 deadline
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from MSHDA.
Six boarded-up houses along North Main Street in Ann Arbor still stand a full week after they were supposed to be demolished by the city.
Asked why the houses weren't taken down by a March 15 deadline the state gave the city in order to qualify for demolition grant funding, Mayor John Hieftje put the blame on the state.
"I've been extremely frustrated by the pace of things on North Main and the funding agency is MSHDA," Hieftje said, referring to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, which agreed to give the city $96,000 to demolish the blighted structures at 700-724 N. Main.
"They told us we needed to get the houses down by March 15 and a check was coming," Hieftje said. "Since then, we've had very little communication with them. They're not getting back to us."
Cars drive past the boarded-up houses on North Main Street in Ann Arbor on Thursday afternoon. They were supposed to be demolished by March 15.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The Ann Arbor City Council voted last month to accept $96,000 in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds from MSHDA, but Hieftje said the check never came through, and the city was planning to receive the money before going forward with the demolition.
"They apparently aren't adhering to their own deadline," Hieftje said of MSHDA. "The city was ready and willing to go forward, but it just hasn't worked out."
MSDHA spokeswoman Katie Bach relayed a somewhat different story on Friday, saying the agency worked hard to cooperate with the city on the issue.
She retraced the history of the NSP grant, saying the city was awarded $909,178 in 2009. Those funds had to be used by March 15 of this year, she said, and all but $60,749 was spent.
"The problem is the city didn’t make it a priority to demolish the homes in the 700 block of North Main until eight weeks before the grant was set to expire and there were issues with those demos because they were part of a failed development project, which had nothing to do with MSHDA," she said. "Ann Arbor was trying to fix failed federal HOME-funded development properties by using NSP1 money."
Bach said Ann Arbor still might be able to demolish the homes, because there will be a reallocation window opening soon, and the city can reapply.
"There are no guarantees, though, because it is a competitive process," she said.
Hieftje said if the issue doesn't get resolved soon, the city will just go ahead with demolishing the houses using its own money.
"People like me are frustrated about this, and I can only imagine the neighbors there are even more frustrated," he said. "I want those houses down, as do many others."
The houses originally were supposed to be demolished to make way for a $15 million affordable housing project called Near North, a project that is now dead due to financing troubles.
A spokesperson for Avalon Housing, one of the partners on the project, said in September 2011 the houses would be demolished soon. Months dragged on and that never happened.
Ann Arbor officials pledged last August to have the houses demolished within 45 to 60 days. Less than a month later, the development team announced the Near North project was dead.
In all, there are eight boarded-up houses from 626-724 N. Main that are owned by a limited partnership between Three Oaks Group and Avalon Housing.
The city has declared six of the eight houses dangerous buildings. That means the two southernmost houses will remain standing.
City officials said the property owners have waived all proceedings and admitted the buildings are dangerous, but they're uncertain if Three Oaks and Avalon are completely walking away from the property or what the plans are for the two houses that will remain standing.
The city was planning to pay for the demolition of the houses last year using a revolving blight fund established by the City Council. The city would have fronted the money for the demolition work and then tried to recoup its costs by putting a lien on the property.
Sumedh Bahl, the city's community services administrator, said the fact that the property went into foreclosure complicated matters. The city wasn't sure it would recoup its money.
So instead of using city funds for the demolition, the city has been counting on using grant funding from MSDHA. By going that route, the property owners wouldn't be billed.
City officials said last month the city previously received an allocation of $850,000 in NSP funds and in late 2012 applied for and later received approval for an additional $96,000 for the demolition.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
B. Jean
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 5:19 p.m.
As a tax-paying 30 year resident home owner living just houses away from this dangerous blight, I am disgusted by the Mayor and City Councils ignorance, ineptitude, and blatant disregard of their responsibility in this fiasco. While our city council bent over backwards to seek grant funding, revise zoning, grant variances, extend deadlines and accommodate every whim of Three Oaks developers and Avalon (because they wanted to leave an affordable housing monument to their egos) they turned a deaf ear to neighborhood concerns. Meanwhile my neighborhood was being blighted by Three Oaks and Avalon resulting in the creation of a haven for crime. Just take a look at recent crime statistics here since the project began. Another tragic consequence of the city's inability to take action is, many of my neighbors no longer feel safe in their own homes due to the increase in break-ins and drug dealing in our parks . And now, our Mayor lies about yet another unfulfilled promise to demolish these dangerous homes and tries to blame it on the state so he can accommodate Three Oaks and Avalon. Oh but we must get federal funding for demo so the poor developers (blight creators) can escape their financial and moral responsibility for damaging the neighborhood, right Mr. Mayor? Well we know you "have the backs" of Three Oaks and Avalon, don't we Mr. Mayor? And all the while you twist the knife in the backs of my neighbors, (that you helped put there) you and our so-called city leaders continue to make promises you don't keep. I have an idea that may your attention so you can pretend you care. I would like to apply for a permit to place a huge billboard at the site of the blight on the way in to the city. It would read: "Welcome to Ann Arbor! This City Gateway Blight, is brought to you courtesy of Three Oaks Developers, Avalon, and the Mayor and City Council of Ann Arbor." Can I get an Amen?
CynicA2
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 6:26 p.m.
Amen... !
snapshot
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 6:03 a.m.
This is a classic case of our leadership not educating themselves on the proper process. They are an arrogant group that is accustomed to getting their own way even if they screw up. Ann Arbor leadership again proves its incompetence. If they can't successfully remove 6 dangerous houses in a timely and cost effective manner utilizing all the resources available to them, how can they run our city? What a show of incompetence, and property owners pay the price. We need to vote all these incubants out of office.
JRW
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 12:22 a.m.
"Ann Arbor was trying to fix failed federal HOME-funded development properties by using NSP1 money." This is the problem. And it is not surprising, given how the city operates.
CynicA2
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 8:47 p.m.
So, the wheedling, conniving, lying creature who occupies the mayor's office has done it again - squandered an opportunity to save the taxpayers 100K by getting in a pissing match with the state. Will no one relieve us of this tiresome tyrant?!
roadsidedinerlover
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 6:47 a.m.
I hope the land doesn't end up in the hands of Avalon Housing...They are bad news! (former tenant!)
Arno B
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 1:35 a.m.
Even the mantra about "Affordable Housing" creeps into the report about these houses. I dare say that these specific places were once considered "affordable." What happened? The gist of the article points out the mentality of much most of the local administration: Get a handout from someone else [Lansing in this case]. Just where do these people think that this money actually comes from? I noted that the big cracks in the road are obvious. Don't worry about them - we have even bigger promises on the horizon in the form of a new train station! WOW!
Greg
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:49 p.m.
Much like Detroit, we have the Mayor the voters wanted. People who keep voting for this wonder kid have no need to wonder why things are not going well.
Doug
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:16 p.m.
Does our mayor ever take responsibility for anything that goes wrong?
Joslyn at the U
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 5:50 p.m.
I seriously doubt it. All I ever see in city hall is smoke and mirrors. People like the mayor, Tom Crawford, and some of city council need to go go go go
mady
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 1:36 p.m.
@Ypsigreen, I never voted for Mr. Hieftje. once. my conscience is clear!!
Sam S Smith
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 12:12 a.m.
mady, I'm with you on both your posts!
mady
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 1:43 p.m.
And, incidentally, Not "everybody keeps voting him back into office," yes I am the one giving you the thumbs-down, change the record already!
Patrick M. Hoey
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 12:48 p.m.
I live in Ann Arbor and would rather see that money from the state spent on knocking down a couple of deathtraps in Detroit.
Tizz
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 4:06 p.m.
Good point!
Ricardo Queso
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 12:46 p.m.
You sure that isn't a file photo from Flint?
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 12:24 p.m.
Among Mayor Hieftje's accomplishments during his term in office, debt including underfunded pension and retirement healthcare liabilities have risen from $250 million when he was elected to over $600 million, and cash on hand has dropped from $250 million to $200 million. The pension funds went from being substantially over funded to massive deficits. So, net, net, Mayor Hieftje has put us into massive debt and taken a city that had no net debt and put it $400 million in the hole! So now he says spend another $96,000 of city money tearing down these homes because we didn't meet the terms of MSHDA's grant. Just put it on the tab!
dotdash
Mon, Mar 25, 2013 : 7:49 p.m.
Okay, no one is saying this state-funding-for-teardowns is not a mess, but is it really fair to blame Mayor Hieftje for the great recession's property tax losses? Attack where it's relevant, but play fair.
Indymama
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 12:31 a.m.
I'm telling you...It is TIME to get these Democrats out of Office!! Not only the Mayor, but his minnions on City Council who applaud everything he does and votes for every word he says!!
jns131
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 3:30 a.m.
Ann Arbor does not have the drive like Ypsilanti does in getting these homes torn down. Mayor Ann Arbor? You need a lesson from Ypsilanti. Better yet, you need our attorney who knows how to make these people scream with fear.
Ethan
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:23 a.m.
Also I don't claim to be a politician, lawyer, urban planner, or realestate developer... but, if these properties are still owned/managed by Avalon and Three Oaks... how about the city issues them an order to demolish the condemned structures in 60 days, then if they fail to do so, issue citations daily of $1000 per structure for 30 days more if they continue to fail to demolish the structures, have the city do it, and then send the bill to Avalon and Three Oaks and if they don't pay, place liens on anything else they own. Can we not do this? Why're we having the city or state pay to tear down somebody's property?
Mike
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:25 a.m.
Probably because they don't have the legal authority to do that.
Mike
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:22 a.m.
It is truly unfathomable how anyone could vote for the reelection of John Hieftje.
Sam S Smith
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 12:09 a.m.
Brad, I did too!
Brad
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 1:09 p.m.
He ran against a fortune teller last time so we didn't exactly have a lot of choice. Disclosure: I still voted for the fortune teller.
jcj
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 12:20 p.m.
Ypsigreen Again not everyone voted for him. I see now why Ypsi has so many problems. Maybe you should focus on them.If we think you can be of help to us we'll call ya!
jns131
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 3:31 a.m.
I think Ann Arbor needs a change. And I am not talking about change in your pocket either.
YpsiGreen
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:29 a.m.
Yet everyone keeps voting him back into office...duh. (Fingers pointing back at yourselves.)
Ethan
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:03 a.m.
What does the Mayor have to say to the fact that the "two" weeks in a row the city was supposed to go through the city picking up the limbs and downed trees, that they didn't once make it around the neighborhoods around Morgan & York? My whole street and the streets surrounding me have curbs and front lawns littered with trees and huge branches. What're we supposed to do with it? Is that the State's fault too?
jcj
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 12:15 p.m.
Ethan I too have been wondering when they will get to the west side. But I think they are just about finished with the area that has Wed garbage pickup and ready to move to Thur garbage pickup area.
jusayin
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 12:58 a.m.
Whaataya mean "blame the state". Lest we've forgotten HELLO _ OH!! We are now in the hands of a very accomplished accountant, the honorable Gov. Snidleydoitoya and more - backed by the "budget mongers"...his repub majority. Obviously any "accounts owed" issues have been handled without reproach. Right? Our money is in the mail...sure...
Mike
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:52 a.m.
What the hell are you talking about?
Arboriginal
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 12:44 a.m.
What we should be trying to get from MSHDA is some money to put up walls for sound suppression around our city. Ypsilanti has them. Why not our shining city on the heap....I mean hill!
Mike
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 12:08 a.m.
Government in action.............tough to get things done when you have to rob Peter to pay Paul because you are broke................
Joslyn at the U
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 5:57 p.m.
as high as the property taxes are in A2 how in the heck can A2 be broke? I mean seriously?
Indymama
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 12:24 a.m.
Not broke, just too many "buckets" that can't be used!!
GetRealA2
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 12:07 a.m.
What houses? I can't see them. I only see a blurred landscape as I bounce along on the "Third World" roads that dominate the infrastructure of this so-called "enlightened" city.
Tizz
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 4:04 p.m.
move if you don't appreciate the city.
easy123
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 12:05 a.m.
I wonder when the A2 are going to vote for fiscal conservative. I guess never! Cut off your nose to spite yourselves. No wonder A2 was better run 20-30 years ago. Starting with the schools to the regular running of schools - personal responsibilty, personal resonsibility, personal resposibillity. I guess the govt. is there to take care of everything!
Dutchy734
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:28 p.m.
what happens if I show up with a sledge hammer Monday morning and start the job myself?
Joslyn at the U
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 5:58 p.m.
To funny
Indymama
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 12:23 a.m.
You'd probably be arrested for destroying valuable property!!
cibachrome
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:24 p.m.
Looks like you are ripe for an Emergency Financial Manager: Someone who can weed out the filled diaper politicians, fill potholes, clean up the trash and get adequate police and fire protection. This story has a certain ring about it that I've heard before just recently. Maybe another Democrat controlled wasteland east of here...
Mike
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:41 a.m.
Huh? Please explain why A2 needs an emergency financial manager.
YpsiGreen
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:19 a.m.
Yet everyone keeps voting him back into office...duh. (Fingers pointing back at yourselves.)
DJBudSonic
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:48 p.m.
Main Street is looking pretty good in the picture. Nice and smooth, no cracks or potholes ...
motorcycleminer
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:34 p.m.
It that had been the land for little johnny's choo choo station they would have been down before you could blink...
dancinginmysoul
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:20 p.m.
Excuses excuses excuses. I bet if a tent city was erected on these properties, they'd be torn down in a matter of days. And a fancy schmancy fence would be erected.
dancinginmysoul
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:36 p.m.
touche. Yeah, I know it's not the city proper. I was attempting to make an overall point
jcj
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:23 p.m.
You do realize that was not the city. If a tent city had been erected it would take 4 years to get permits to erect it. And 4 years to get permits to tear it down.
jcj
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:14 p.m.
Maybe if the Mayor would have focused on demolishing the houses instead of the train station. TOO bad he can't think about more than one thing at a time. This reminds me of a dog ate my homework excuse. If he is going to tear them down either way, it does not take a college degree to figure out it should be done BEFORE the deadline!
Mike
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 12:10 a.m.
Maybe we shouldn't spend money we don't have on a train station. Give the buildings to a developer, remove the FEMA restrictions, and let capitalism do it's thing............
DJBudSonic
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 9:50 p.m.
Maybe we could ask the chair of the planning commission what is going on here? Planning has some say in all of this, don't they? There is no way that the city should pay for this, it is the responsibility of the property owners. Tear them down and send them a bill. Enough already. Ask Dr. Planning. He has a masters degree...in planning.
Brad
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:14 p.m.
They are awesome at the planning. The execution - not so much.
Arboriginal
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 9:50 p.m.
Hee Haw!
jcj
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:24 p.m.
Well Said!
Brian Kuehn
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 9:49 p.m.
The City of Ann Arbor allocated $144, 028 to Avalon Housing for 2012/2013 as part of a $1,200,000 funding of local non-profits. I trust there will be some discussion over future allocations if Avalon doesn't do their absolute utmost to assist the City in moving the demolition forward. Avalon performs valuable services to the local area but they seem to have a blind spot regarding this problem. http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-giving-124m-to-community-nonprofit-organizations-for-human-services-programs/
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:59 p.m.
Having read the story i am inclined to believe the states version not the mayors version.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 3:04 a.m.
I don't think he got 114,000 votes YpsiGreen. Hopefully that fact clears up your finger pointing thingy. I for one have never cast a vote for the guy, And if your actually from Ypsi I think you folks have some problems too.
YpsiGreen
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:27 a.m.
Yet everyone keeps voting him back into office...duh. (Fingers pointing back at yourselves.)
Brian Kuehn
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 9:49 p.m.
I agree.
Joslyn at the U
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:43 p.m.
Lord have mercy lol heres a question for the mayor......... As high as the property taxes are here in lovely Ann Arbor why on earth would the mayor even need to wait for the state? Looks to me like he is looking for a free handout and now look whats happened......hmmmmm typical
MSB10
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:37 p.m.
The dysfunction is almost comical but actually very sad.
MSB10
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:36 p.m.
Send in the clowns.
mady
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 1:38 p.m.
well, maybe next year.
Brad
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:42 p.m.
More a matter of sending the clowns home.
Joslyn at the U
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:50 p.m.
AMEN
WalkingJoe
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:42 p.m.
They're already here.
Steve Hendel
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:28 p.m.
More like the City dropped the ball. That's what happens when you put pie in the sky projects like a new train station ahead of the everyday problems like this one.
original perp
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:23 p.m.
"Ann Arbor officials pledged last August to have the houses demolished within 45 to 60 days." So our elected leaders either don't understand how to read a calendar or simply don't follow through on their word.
Bill
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:34 p.m.
Original Perp said "So our elected leaders either don't understand how to read a calendar or simply don't follow through on their word." You can remove the words 'either' and replace 'or simply' with and for a more accurate statement.
Billy
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:21 p.m.
"Ann Arbor was trying to fix failed federal HOME-funded development properties by using NSP1 money." So would that classify as trying to misappropriate funds? Spend money intended for one thing on another different thing?
Indymama
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 12:16 a.m.
Yes! That's what Democrats do!!
Bill
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:32 p.m.
Ann Arbor would never use funds intended for one purpose for another . . . of wait, yes they would. Perhaps the mayor was still working out how to get the 1% for another overpriced, unwanted piece of public art!
Morty Seinfeld
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:19 p.m.
If ignorance is bliss, then the Ann Arbor City Hall must be the happiest place on earth.
Ricardo Queso
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:19 p.m.
How's that 1% for art working for you?
bunicula
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:10 p.m.
well, who keeps reelecting this mayor ?
YpsiGreen
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:17 a.m.
Yet everyone keeps voting him back into office...duh. (Fingers pointing back at yourselves.)
Dog Guy
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:25 p.m.
U. of M. sophomores vote.
oyxclean
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:58 p.m.
And what choice did the voters have in the last election?
Joslyn at the U
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:49 p.m.
Scary isnt it?
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:02 p.m.
For those of you who maybe didn't notice, comments from MSHDA were added to the story shortly after it was published. They're pushing the blame back on the city.
Indymama
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 12:14 a.m.
That is where it belongs!! On the City!
Lizzy Alfs
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:13 p.m.
Interesting. I was surprised to read those funds go back to 2009 - that's not the impression I had from the city.
Brad
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 11:02 p.m.
@Ryan - thanks for the follow up.
jackson72
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:17 p.m.
Ryan that sews it up. With that clarification (read, TRUTH) from the MSHDA, instead of Heiftje's whining, buck passing, obfuscation, the city is clearly responsible for these houses not being torn down. Wouldn't it have been nice if Heiftje would have stood up like a leader and said, "It's on us. We blew it." ......Not a chance.
Stewart G. Griffin
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:59 p.m.
The City of Ann Arbor......27.7-square miles, surrounded by reality.
Stewart G. Griffin
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:21 p.m.
Math major are you, Joslyn at the "U"?? That would mean the Ann Arbor border would essentially measure the equivalent of a little over 2.24-miles x 2.24-miles. Continue with your game of beer pong and leave the math & geography to the professionals.
Joslyn at the U
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:48 p.m.
I thought it was 5 sq miles lol but i can go 27.7 hahahaha
John of Saline
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:59 p.m.
Remember when the "Family Circus" kids would deny responsibility for something and the ghost labeled "not me" would run by? The mayor is one of the kids in that scenario.
oyxclean
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:57 p.m.
Remember Ida Know?
BobbyJohn
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:58 p.m.
Avalon and Three Oaks have reneged on their promise to demolish the houses. The city should have no more dealings with either of them until Avalon and Three Oaks live up to their responsibilities and demolish these buildings at their expense. The rest of us should not be responsible for this fiasco. If the city does tear them down, they should recoup all the costs, including time, from the two responsible culprits.
Brian Kuehn
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 9:53 p.m.
The City of Ann Arbor allocated $144, 028 to Avalon Housing for 2012/2013 as part of a $1,200,000 funding of local non-profits. I trust there will be some discussion over future allocations if Avalon doesn't do their absolute utmost to assist the City in moving the demolition forward. Avalon performs valuable services to the local area but they seem to have a blind spot regarding this problem. http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-giving-124m-to-community-nonprofit-organizations-for-human-services-programs/
voice of reason
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:47 p.m.
The City of Ann Arbor is trying to give Avalon and Three Oaks $96K in State tax money for an expense which should be born by the developers of a property. I've driven past these eyesores for the last year and it makes the entrance to Ann Arbor look like the ghetto. Tear these down, add the cost to the property tax bill and be done with it. Perhaps Avalon and Three Oaks are deserving of special treatment not shown to other developers (campaign contributions?).
Brian Kuehn
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 9:51 p.m.
The City of Ann Arbor allocated $144, 028 to Avalon Housing for 2012/2013 as part of a $1,200,000 funding of local non-profits. I trust there will be some discussion over future allocations if Avalon doesn't do their absolute utmost to assist the City in moving the demolition forward. Avalon performs valuable services to the local area but they seem to have a blind spot regarding this problem. http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-giving-124m-to-community-nonprofit-organizations-for-human-services-programs/
jackson72
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:39 p.m.
"Mayor" Hieftje is, as usual, trying to push the blame onto others when it's clearly the city's fault this hasn't been done. It is embarrassingly ridiculous for Hieftje to have the nerve to say that the city didn't tear down the houses because they hadn't received the money from the state. Seriously? If I were the state, I would only pay the money once the city actually tore the houses down...which is probably what they are waiting for. Unbelievably (and quite stupidly) Hieftje is then quoted as saying, "...if the issue doesn't get resolved soon, the city will just go ahead with demolishing the houses using its own money." So "mayor" why exactly was it you couldn't come to this decision months ago??? It's sad that we have a spineless "mayor" that never has the guts to stand up and take responsibility for ANYTHING. It's always somebody else's fault. Talk about a lack of leadership.
Indymama
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 12:10 a.m.
Not taking blame and always putting that blame on someone else is a DEMOCRATIC practice...Look at our President...he does the same thing!!! It is time to get new Leadership in the City and In the USA!!
Jack
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 6:12 a.m.
@ypsi - I think he was voted back because voters thot the alternatives were worse. The problem is few people want to get involved in politics, so we get stuck with the few who do.
YpsiGreen
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:17 a.m.
Yet everyone keeps voting him back into office...duh. (Fingers pointing back at yourselves.)
Vivienne Armentrout
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:35 p.m.
So if the property is in foreclosure, can't the city put a tax lien against it payable from the foreclosing entity? What is the chain of responsibility from here on out? Also, who technically owns the property at this time? Is it Avalon? I would have guessed that most blighted properties that the city would be ready to move on might be in similar circumstances (foreclosure). And what about the property's tax status? If taxes are not paid, the county can foreclose and sell at auction, yest?
Lizzy Alfs
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:12 p.m.
Vivienne: When I last checked, there was about $60,000 in back taxes owed. They became delinquent in March of last year, but it takes three years for the foreclosure/auction process. As for who owns the property: Three Oaks is written on most of the property deeds, but I'm not sure how the ownership split with Avalon works at this point. The property is in a six month redemption period before Great Lakes Capital Fund would take ownership - and I'm under the impression that Avalon and Three Oaks intend to let the property turn over.
pbehjatnia
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:06 p.m.
as usual you are far too reasonable our city council and mayor dont have any common sense so reasonableness is completely unheard of
HB11
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:34 p.m.
Usually a municipality performs the work FIRST, shows proof of completion, and then gets reimbursed.
Bill
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:31 p.m.
If the mayor had planned to remove the houses with or without state funds, why not abide by the dealine so the city would have had justification to demand payment from the state. Now the city missed the deadline but don't worry, the mayor plans to stick Ann Arbor tax payers with the bill and blame the state. Another failure in Ann Arbor.
Indymama
Sun, Mar 24, 2013 : 12:05 a.m.
...and why do we keep re-electing this Mayor??? We need NEW City Officials ..from the top down!!
Tizz
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 3:55 p.m.
Having justification to demand payment from the state is meaningless. The state moves at its own snail pace with no apologies. Infuriating!
whojix
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:28 p.m.
The mayor can't do anything because nobody will give him money to keep his city safe and attractive, boo hoo. Keep on passing the buck - it wasn't the state's decision to cancel plans because they couldn't recoup their money!
noyfb
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:18 p.m.
Hurry up Mayor and get these knocked down so a developer can submit plans to put up some ugly monstrosity and you and the city council can hymn and haw and pretend like you deserve to be there. Self-fulling bureaucratic nonsense!
ordmad
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:18 p.m.
State renegs on an explicit promise and people blame the Mayor. Typical nonsense.
Tizz
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 3:53 p.m.
Absolutely correct!
jcj
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:17 p.m.
ordmad Listen carefully. The 'explicit promise' had a DEADLINE! The only thing typical is the Mayor blew it again!
Steve Hendel
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:37 p.m.
They are all blaming each other, but let's put it this way; it is the City's responsibility to deal with abandoned and decrepit houses, something which they have not done for YEARS. Talk about waiting until the last minute; I'll bet that if these houses had some connection with the Train Station to Nowhere, the funding to demolish them would have appeared as if by magic.
noyfb
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:19 p.m.
The mayor is the one blaming the state!
Irwin Daniels
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:16 p.m.
Mr Mayor = FAIL Not another feather in his cap
Tizz
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 3:53 p.m.
he can't MAKE the state come up with the $$$
YpsiGreen
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:16 a.m.
Yet everyone keeps voting him back into office...duh. (Fingers pointing back at yourselves.)
jcj
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:32 p.m.
Irwin I think this is another feather in his cap. The problem is its a dunce hat with dodo bird feathers!
Brad
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:14 p.m.
Chance of blamestorm: 100%
Alan Goldsmith
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 7:10 p.m.
"Hieftje said if the issue doesn't get resolved soon, the city will just go ahead with demolishing the houses using its own money." You mean our money Mr. Mayor. Ann Arbor Taxpayer Money. Good lord, I have never seen such a lack of leadership, shifting the blame and incompetence in my life. That's our Mayor: Credit and Photo Ops for Everything, Responsibility For Nothing.
Bear
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 7:27 p.m.
blah, blah, our tax money.... not so. Once you've paid it, you no longer own it. It isn't yours. You may be able to direct how it gets spent through representation, but it no longer belongs to you. I pay my bills,. Once they are paid, the money belongs to the company I paid, not me. This pompous attitude of "my money" is dumb, IMO.
Tom
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 4:13 p.m.
It's amazing. I learn more from the commenters than the original stories.
mady
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 1:31 p.m.
precisely.
YpsiGreen
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 2:14 a.m.
Yet everyone keeps voting him back into office...duh. (Fingers pointing back at yourselves.)
dancinginmysoul
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 10:18 p.m.
Well done. (insert golf clap)
pbehjatnia
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 9:48 p.m.
nail on the head
Craig Lounsbury
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:44 p.m.
bingo
Joslyn at the U
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 8:44 p.m.
ohhhhhhh soooooooo TRUE