Revamping Detroit Land Bank A Focus for District 5 City Council Candidates

June 19, 2025

Detroit City Council District 5 candidates gathered at a BridgeDetroit-hosted forum to discuss their visions for reforming the Detroit Land Bank, which has faced criticism for its property management practices. Candidates including Esther Haugabook, Michael Ri'chard, Renata Miller, and others proposed various solutions ranging from restructuring the land bank to filing lawsuits against it or increasing city council control over its board appointments. The discussion highlighted concerns about favoritism toward developers, lack of transparency, and inequitable land distribution, with several candidates citing personal experiences with the land bank.

Who is affected

Detroit residents, particularly those in District 5
Property buyers and homeowners dealing with the Detroit Land Bank
Neighborhood residents in areas with vacant properties
Developers and investors in Detroit property
Community organizations working on affordable housing
Residents of Virginia Park neighborhood and the east side

What action is being taken

Candidates are participating in forums to discuss land bank reform and other district issues
George Adams Jr. is developing 28 units of affordable housing to be completed this year
BridgeDetroit is hosting candidate forums, with the next one scheduled for June 26
District 5 voters are preparing to elect a new council person for the first time since 2013
Some candidates are actively proposing specific reforms like community land trusts

Why it matters

District 5 spans across Detroit's west and east sides, including downtown and Midtown
More development is happening in District 5 than any other council district
The Detroit Land Bank has been criticized for questionable price adjustments and strict compliance guidelines for residents but not large developers
The land bank controls significant amounts of vacant property that could be used for affordable housing and neighborhood development
The election represents the first change in council representation for the district in a decade

What's next

The primary election will narrow down the field of candidates
BridgeDetroit will host another candidate forum on June 26 at the Hispanic Development Corporation for District 6 candidates
The general election will take place on November 6
If elected, candidates would implement their proposed reforms to the land bank
Adams' 28 units of affordable housing will be completed this year

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle