Landbanks on candidate’s agenda
Senator George in the Oakland Press
State Sen. Tom George plans to introduce legislation for a regional development authority for Detroit and Wayne County that would generate more money for redevelopment and allow for urban farming.
The Kalamazoo Republican, who is among a number of Republicans running for governor in 2010, said fixing Detroit is vital to turning Michigan’s economy around.
“If you’re going to turn Michigan around, you have address the problems in Detroit,” George said Thursday in an interview with The Oakland Press.
Both Detroit and Wayne County have landbanks — something also under consideration in Oakland County.
A regional development authority would create a larger umbrella with more powers, additional zoning options for things such as urban farming and more money.
Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner, who proposed creating a landbank when he ran for treasurer in 2008, said the options George proposes are all options the county can use under the state’s landbank statutes.
Landbanks allow counties to rehabilitate blighted properties and get them back on the tax rolls.
“We can do all that stuff under the current statute,” Meisner said. “Zoning is local.”
He said north Oakland County has an interest in using landbanks for preserving farmland, while Birmingham is interested in commercial redevelopment.
A landbank isn’t part of the pending county budget, which was prepared before Meisner took office in July.
“It is my expectation that in the months to come that we will continue to get people on the same page, build support and to hopefully deploy this very powerful tool the county can use to protect property values and prevent the blight of foreclosures,” Meisner said.
George, meanwhile, said his experience in the Legislature makes him an ideal candidate for governor.
Other Republicans seeking the GOP nomination include Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder and U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra. Democrats in the race include John Freeman, Lt. Gov. John Cherry, former Flint Mayor Don Williamson and Alma Wheeler Smith.
The original article can be found here.
Posted: 8/25/2009