Detroit seeks to sell off 92 parks
Source: BY ZACHARY GORCHOW, Detroit Free Press (MI), October 26, 2007
One-quarter of Detroit's 367 parks could be sold under a proposal designed to help the city shed dozens of its smallest and most worn-down parks in an effort to aid others and position the land for redevelopment.
........ The city already has sold other assets this year -- including Camp Brighton and Rogell Golf Course -- to ease budget problems. But money from selling the parks would be put back into the park system, either by acquiring land for new parks or by rehabilitating others, said Vincent Anwunah, general manager of the Recreation Department's planning, design and construction management division.
The city estimates it could get $8.1 million from selling the land, and $5.4 million per year from new tax revenue, while saving $540,000 annually by discontinuing maintenance at those parks.