The grant is from the Detroit Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the three-stage plan is being implemented by the consulting firm of Deloitte & Touche.

"The City of Detroit is pleased to work with Detroit LISC and Deloitte to address an issue for our city and many other major cities," says Walter C. Watkins, chief development officer for the city. "Through the collaboration, Deloitte began this week on site at the Planning and Development Department assessing our systems and working with our staff to arrive at recommendations that may be implemented as early as this summer."

The grant will help fund operations as the city seeks to move about 40,000 vacant and/or abandoned land parcels from its control back onto the tax rolls.

According to LISC, the property disposition strategy will document the current business process for property disposition; analyze the existing database of city-owned properties; and fill in whatever informational gaps exist regarding parcels in the city's inventory. Recommended improvements to the land sale disposition process will help prospective purchasers to more quickly define their projects and gain requisite site control for purposes of design and financing.

"At LISC we support the commitment of the mayor and the assistance of Deloitte to bring about effective change through a property disposition strategy," says Anika Goss-Foster, Detroit LISC program director. "A streamlined system will enhance the efforts of Detroit groups working in the city's neighborhoods. It's critical to note that as vacant lots are replaced by new homes and businesses, neighborhoods will become stronger and more vital and the city's tax base will increase," she adds.