Home-building heir announces Detroit blight clearance plan

DETROIT (AP) -- An heir to one of the nation's leading construction companies has come forward with a plan to help Detroit destroy and clear abandoned buildings in one of its most forsaken neighborhoods. The nonprofit Detroit Blight Authority announced plans Monday to clear 35 blocks in the city's far-west Brightmoor neighborhood as a step toward reviving the area. The group's headed by Bill Pulte, grandson of PulteGroup Inc. founder William Pulte. U.S. Sen. Carl Levin joined Bill Pulte on Monday at the Brightmoor Community Center to unveil the plan. Levin says it doesn't work to "tear down a house here, a house there." Pulte says the group is seeking government approvals to start clearing part of the 35-block site and hopes to finish that phase by June 1. ---------------- Online: http://www.blightauthority.com. Published: Wed, Jan 22, 2014