Detroit program turns blight into works of art

DETROIT (WJBK) - Blight. Graffiti.

"Viaducts are some of are hardest hit areas in the city," said said Zack Meers with the City of Detroit.

But The Duggan Administration says it will not give up its fight to get rid of these eyesores. Efforts are underway to rev up a program started just last year called City Walls that utilizes an artist to turn blight into a work of art.

"It's an opportunity for a Detroit artist to show their skills and build a portfolio and work with us and also beautify the city at the same time," Meers said.

The program will see increased funding to transform a larger number of blighted spaces and buildings in the city and pay an artist to bring their creative vision to transform the space

Dabbles says he sees his project along Grand River and Warren as more than cleaning up blight.

"Well maybe not just do much to cleanup blight but just to do our part in beautifying the city," he said.

Dabbles who calls himself a storyteller says he hopes that when people walk down Grand rRver that they see his vision. 

"You are forced to look at yourself and if there is something here that's making you smile, a change in your outcome for that day, then you can see yourself in it so it's about reflecting," he said.

The City of Detroit believes this program is a win win for a community that wants to see beauty over blight and a Detroit artist who can deliver the vision.