Pulte Homes leads new effort to clean up Detroit

Detroit (WXYZ) - People saw the crews tearing down run down buildings and cleaning debris near the Detroit Edison Public School.  They didn’t know who was behind it.

The answer came during Mayor Dave Bing’s State of the City address Wednesday night.

“I am excited to announce a new partnership that will strengthen our fight against blight in Detroit,” said the mayor.  “Bill Pulte of Pulte Homes, one of this country‘s largest homebuilders, has created a private, non-profit group called the Detroit Blight Authority. The group is working with my office to eliminate blight, neighborhood by neighborhood, street by street.”

Bill Pulte told 7 Action News he decided to get involved after seeing a news report.  In that report a little girl talked about not feeling safe walking to school.  He wanted to make a difference for kids like her.

The Detroit Blight Authority is now getting support from numerous community leaders, businesses,  and organizations, including DTE Energy, The Kresge Foundation, MCM Demolition, Michigan Caterpillar, Luke's Services, the Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn law firm and retired Lt. Col. James Henderson.

We expect to learn more about the non-profit’s plans to continue to clean up the city.