Senator Tom George proposes Redevelopment Authority
George continues with his Fix Michigan campaign
Senator Tom George (R-Kalamazoo). Following a tour of one of Detroit’s neighborhoods with the Motor City Blight Busters, a non-profit group dedicated to rehabilitating blighted properties, Senator George announced his proposal to create a Detroit/Wayne County Redevelopment Authority.
Redevelopment authorities have been used in other major metropolitan areas such as New York, New Orleans, and Boston at various times to manage growth or reconstruction. A Detroit/Wayne County Redevelopment Authority could be given more funding than existing land banks and provide the Authority with broad powers to address the massive number of tax reverted and abandoned properties plaguing the region.
Specifically, Sen. George’s proposal for a Detroit/Wayne County Redevelopment Authority includes:
• Additional funding by extending the tax capture period from rehabilitated properties from the existing 5 years to 8 years
• Examples of broader powers for the Authority could include:
- Permitting infrastructure investments such as lighting and curbing
- Allowing participation with Neighborhood Enterprise Zones
- Establishing urban agricultural zones
- Ability to facilitate re-zoning
- Granting of loans for redevelopment
- Providing relocation assistance
“By giving local officials the option of creating a redevelopment authority with broad powers that includes additional funding this proposal is an important step in rebuilding metropolitan Detroit,” said Sen. George.
For a photo of the press conference with the MotorCity Blight Busters in Detroit go to: http://www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/PhotoWire2/20/08202009GeorgePC.jpg
This initiative is another example of Sen. George’s plan to help Fix Michigan. Earlier this year he introduced a package of bills to make health insurance accessible and more affordable for Michigan's uninsured. Sen. George is also currently working on another proposal to Fix Michigan's broken budgeting process.
As Tom George continues to campaign across our state, including the U.P., where he has already cycled over 623 miles, he has been sharing with groups and individuals specific ideas to help Fix Michigan. While other candidates talk about the need for "innovation" and "jobs" none have offered any specific proposals. “Fixing Michigan will require a series of specific legislative steps and solutions, not merely setting vague goals,” said Sen. George.
In addition to all the cities, townships and villages that Sen. George has visited during his Fix Michigan campaign, he has also held successful fundraisers in Grand Rapids, Birmingham, Kalamazoo, Bay City, Manistee, Flint, and Thompsonville.
Sen. Tom George is the only Republican candidate serving in the state legislature, where he has had 43 public acts signed into law by two governors of different political ideologies. He is also the only candidate who balances his time between public office and a part-time job. Maintaining work outside of elected office has kept Sen. George in touch with the realities and problems that Michiganders are facing.
As a citizen activist, Tom George has served in leadership roles for non-profit organizations such as president of the Historical Society of Michigan. During his 25 years as a medical doctor, he served five years as a hospice medical director where he made house calls.
“Running for Governor is a serious commitment and I believe that with my experience, my track record of results, and desire to stay connected with the public, that I have unique qualifications to offer voters,” said George.
To learn more about Tom George’s Fix Michigan campaign, go to www.georgeforgovernor.com.
Posted: 8/24/2009