Flint demolishes blighted house filled with 150 tires
Mayor declares ‘war on illegal dumping’ as city tears down property on Copeman Boulevard
FLINT, Mich. — A blighted house in Flint that was filled with nearly 150 tires in April has been demolished.
The eyesore on Copeman Boulevard was torn down by the Genesee County Land Bank as part of a partnership with the City of Flint.
Mayor Sheldon Neeley declared a “war on illegal dumping” outside the home in April, including a “zero tolerance” crackdown with the police and fire chief.
“That particular site had more than 200 dump tires in a burned out structure,” Neeley said. “And so we’re providing a level of hope in our communities by taking these blighted structures down, and we’re going to continue to move forward with that level of zeal doing this great work.”
Neeley said tips from concerned residents helped get the property cleaned up.
“The fight on blight is everybody’s fight,” Neeley said. “We didn’t get in this condition overnight, but we definitely are getting out of this condition very quickly. But we can get it faster when people are engaged in the spaces that we live.”
As the city heads into the summer months, Neeley said that’s when Flint typically sees an uptick in illegal dumping.
“Everybody should be able to make sure they keep their property clean, keep their grass cut,” Neeley said. “If one street is bad, that can be contagious and infectious to the next street. But if one street is clean, it can be just as infectious. And we want to continue to beautify our community.”
Neeley said he hopes the now-cleared site can set an example.
“Those individuals who are treating our community like a garbage can, we need your help, report them,” Neeley said. “And for those individuals that’s doing it, we’re coming for you and you will be the full aggressive nature of the law as it relates to dumping in this community.”
Residents can report blight and illegal dumping by calling Flint police or anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward.
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