MichiganRadio

State Puts Detroit Demolition Plan On Hold ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) -

Plans to demolish thousands of vacant buildings in Detroit is on hold for at least a week.

State officials stopped the demolitions Thursday when they determined the city had not filed the proper paperwork on asbestos removal.

"Older materials that may be in these homes very well could contain certain levels of asbestos," says Robert McCann, the spokesman for the state Department of Natural Resources and Environment, "And if you were just to hit that with a bulldozer or a wrecking ball, that material is going to be released into the air. Potentially getting into homes nearby and cause a health threat."

McCann says federal law requires a ten day waiting period between the filing of the asbestos paperwork and any demolition work.

The city of Detroit is using federal funds to pay for the demolition of 10 thousand derelict buildings during the next four years to reduce blight in the city. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio