Hantz Woodlands Clearing And Maintaining Parcels; Awaits City Emergency Manager Approval To Complete Land Agreement, Move Forward With Planting

DETROIT, June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Work is underway on the Hantz Woodlands project, which would see about 140 acres on Detroit's east side transformed into a hardwood tree farm with 15,000 trees, but awaits approval from the City of Detroit's Emergency Manager to achieve full momentum.

The plan for Hantz Woodlands was approved by Detroit's City Council in December 2012. Since that time, Hantz Woodlands has worked with the city to validate the titles for each parcel and to implement a plan included in the agreement that provided an opportunity to property owners within the development area to purchase adjacent city-owned properties. Hantz Woodlands now awaits approval by City of Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr to finalize purchase of the land and begin work on the full 1,450 parcels. It expects to receive authorization to implement the plan sometime during the last two quarters of 2013.

Hantz Woodlands has already made significant progress on its plan – clearing, mowing and maintaining more than 165 parcels on Detroit's lower east side.

"We are thrilled with what we have seen in the neighborhoods we are working in," said Hantz Woodlands President Michael Score. "The blocks where we have cleared and are maintaining the lots have led to our neighbors making their own improvements, block by block.

"This is precisely the type of transformation we had hoped for when we made a significant investment in the lower east side. Ultimately, this was an investment in safer, more livable neighborhoods. We're excited to continue the work we've started," Score said.

For more information about Hantz Woodlands, please visit www.hantzwoodlands.com.

SOURCE Hantz Woodlands