Detroit property on sale but buyers aren't interested

The once proud Motor City is becoming a ghost city reports the media. With the failure of the once-booming manufacturing industry, the city is fighting to stop the slow slide into destitution.

Characterized by abandoned neighbourhoods, the once bustling city is slowly dying. With no major grocery store chains present and a weakened manufacturing sector, there is little in the way of employment for people. Wayne County officials have been trying to sell abandoned property this past year, after the owners have failed to pay property taxes. Even with the minimum bid set at $500.00 - a real steal, of the 9,000 properties put on sale, less than 1,800 houses and lots were sold. Normally Wayne County holds an annual property auction to recoup unpaid taxes, but this year the County held two auctions for Detroit properties. The bargain basement prices have been news in America, but even so, moving these deals has been difficult. Wayne County officials would rather be doing something else, like working out payment plans with people who are struggling. The number of abandoned homes and properties have risen from around 2,000 two years ago to approximately 9,000 this year. The city is suffering a cash crisis. But even so, city officials are working hard to draw in new business and lower the high rate of unemployment through revitalizing the downtown. The emphasis is on once again making Detroit a destination city. Detroit City's unemployment rate is over 27%. Michigan's unemployment is the highest in the United States. While Detroit City is aiming high with plans to revitalize the city, it will take an unknown period of austerity measures and belt-tightening to turn things around. Flint, Michigan, a city known thanks to Michael Moore's documentary, Roger & Me, has been dealing with similar issues since the 1970s when the auto industry collapsed. In 2007, facing increasing numbers of abandoned properties, Flint began a land bank program. The innovative program allows for the sale of properties to churches or neighbours for as little as $1.00, paying churches to maintain vacant properties, or turning the lots into parks. The program seems to be working. Not that long ago, with a population over one million, Detroit was a world renowned destination city. A bustling manufacturing sector, a zoo, the thriving downtown core, and various sports franchises all combined to make Detroit a place to be. The city now has an estimated population of 821,792. In early October, the federal government gave Detroit $15 million in stimulus funding to help out homeless or nearly homeless residents. Thousands of people lined up to apply for the funding, which was intended to help people pay bills and keep their homes. Gardening has become a popular activity in Detroit.