Most Detroit houses are primarily wood, which a shredder or grinder can easily crunch into fuel, Adamo said. But one potential hazard is lead paint, often present in older houses.

"Six months ago we had no strategy and no funding," Mayor Mike Duggan (D) says. "We're standing here today, we've got the strategy and we're getting started on the funding," including federal financing.

MOTOWN BLIGHT FIGHT, BY THE NUMBERS

72,328 Single-family Structures (four dwelling units or less)

707 Multi-family Structures

3,904 Neighborhood Commercial Structures (lots smaller than 25,000 sq ft)

220 Large Commercial Structures (lots larger than 25,000 sq ft)

339 Industrial Structures

1,008 Structures That Need More Research

6,235 Lots

$1.85 Billion (total clearance cost)

SOURCE: DETROIT BLIGHT REMOVAL TASK FORCE