$400 Million for "Food Deserts"

[MechAg94]

Personally, I think if you have something someone wants in those neighborhoods, I don't think the fact that you are a neighbor would stop them from trying to get it.  I have no doubt there are good people or people that are potentially good, but I also have no doubt there are people who are up to no good.

My issue with buying property in a place like Detroit is that even if you bought it, the city and others would probably not let you tear anything down or do anything useful with the property. 

[Jamisjockey]

My issue with buying property in a place like Detroit is that even if you bought it, the city and others would probably not let you tear anything down or do anything useful with the property. 

I'd be real curious to see what the price difference is in purchase/lease of commercial property in the average inner city vs. the nearby suburbs, as well as the taxes....

[MechAg94]

I'd be real curious to see what the price difference is in purchase/lease of commercial property in the average inner city vs. the nearby suburbs, as well as the taxes....

Not just that, but you probably have to get permission from zoning boards, planning commissions, and others, use contractors that are "licensed" to do that work in that city.  I bet the local politicians have made it very difficult to make any business work in that city.

[HankB]

Not just that, but you probably have to get permission from zoning boards, planning commissions, and others, use contractors that are "licensed" to do that work in that city.  I bet the local politicians have made it very difficult to make any business work in that city.

Chicago was the same . . . I grew up there, and my Dad and I did a lot of work on our own house that was probably not allowed, as we weren't licensed union plumbers/electricians/plasterers/carpenters/whatever.

And there was no such thing as a "permit" so long as it wasn't visible from outside . . .