Detroit Could Block Billionaire-Owned Concrete Plant From Further Neighborhood Expansion
ProPublica · Jena Brooker ·
We reported on how a concrete plant took over a Detroit neighborhood after a historic land swap facilitated by city officials. Now after years of complaints from residents about dust and noise, officials say they want to limit further growth.
After years of community opposition, Detroit city officials have taken steps to stop a concrete mixing facility from further expanding into a residential neighborhood.
City Council members, acting on a recommendation last week from planning officials, will soon consider a rezoning measure that would restrict industrial activity at the site of the Kronos concrete plant and surrounding area. The concrete facility at its current size could stay and continue to operate as normal.
The planning recommendation comes after a BridgeDetroit and ProPublica investigation this year revealed how city officials helped Crown Enterprises, a real estate company owned by Detroit’s wealthy Moroun family, obtain property in Cadillac Heights and then provided latitude when its Kronos facility violated environmental laws. Residents have been filing complaints and protesting Kronos for years, frustrated by the dust, noise and other issues created by the concrete operation.
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