Detroit's now annual "Detroit Demo Week" kicked off with bulldozers, cheers, and community engagement as the city continued its crusade against blight. The initiative, which aims to educate and involve residents in the process of demolitions, began making noise again as abandoned and dilapidated structures on the west side of Detroit met their end, according to a report by FOX 2. "Demo week was actually born out of our intentionality to make sure we stay transparent with the community," LaJuan Counts, director of Detroit's demolition department, explained.
Amid the falling debris, Detroiters like Nareshay Paul witnessed more than just an old building crumbling; they saw a fresh canvas for their neighborhood's future. "We’re just glad it’s getting torn down," Nareshay told clickondetroit. Her relief was echoed throughout the neighborhood, where locals attended the demolition events signaled by the whir of machines hungry for decay.
LaJuan Counts was explicit about the week's purpose, stating, "We clearly stated that we want to be held accountable and so, we have to show you what a demo looks like in order for you to hold us accountable for all the demos that we perform across the city," as clickondetroit reported. The week's events are not purely about destruction; they're also opportunities, like the city-wide job fair for those interested in joining the demolition team.
Adding a twist to the already popular Demo Week, Detroiters were treated to donuts as they engaged in conversations concerning the demolitions. The city's Demolition Department shared on Facebook, "Residents and neighbors got an exclusive peek into the residential demolition process and engaged in meaningful community dialogue, all aimed at putting community involvement at the forefront of neighborhood transformation." While houses are brought down, community spirits seemed buoyed by the collaborative efforts to reshape their cityscape.
The city's determination to beautify and improve also garnered support from local community leaders. "To see it come down – it’s a good thing, and we can move on with building this community back up," Alvin Stokes, president of the 10th Precinct Police/Community Relations Council, praised the demolition effort in a statement obtained by FOX 2. "Demolition week is a good thing because the citizens want to see eyesores come down, and this is just the start of things to come," he added, marking a solid foundation for the city's fight against blight. Remember, for those keen to participate in further events and discussions, the invitation is open throughout Detroit Demo Week.
