Originally Posted by
Parkguy
There is a model that is widespread in Michigan for what _could_ be done in Detroit to "rightsize." Take blocks off of the water and sewer system, take them off of the city lighting grid, and turn the street grid in that part of the city into non-maintained roads. If you go to rural areas of Michigan, you see forest roads and even sections of named roads marked as roads that are not maintained by the XXX county road commission. Very often you'll see these signs after the last house with children who need bus pickup for school. Offer homeowners subsidized well-drilling and septic systems, and set a date for the water, sewer, and streetlights to be turned off. Electrical power for the house is already a contract between homeowner and power company-- same goes for telephone service. Garbage services could require taking trash bins "out to the end of the road," just like people do up north. There is already a utility easement for power lines, so they could still be used. This may not make financial sense in every depressed, mostly-abandoned neighborhood, but in some areas there might be a net savings even after paying for wells and septic systems. And, to make it more palatable and fair, adjust property and income taxes in those areas to reflect the reduced services. If the residents want to stay, then fine. If they want to move instead, give them an incentive that reflects the subsidies they would get to convert to private services. They'd still own their property, and they could sell if they want. Just don't let them abandon their houses. Plan ahead and make sure state legislation and local ordinances align with your plan to minimize lawsuits and delays. Maybe it would work. Average well and septic systems cost in the neighborhood of $20,000 --$25,000 complete, unless I'm way off. Yes, I know that under some conditions it can cost much more, and may require other solutions if the soil doesn't percolate. We force owners to hook into a new system when it comes into an area-- perhaps we can entice them to unhook when they shut down.