Carlton Clyburn, Highland Park's director of community and economic development, told attendees the city is pursuing land sales, demolitions of blighted structures, and multiple housing projects that together represent about $135 million in private investment.

Clyburn gave a detailed account of department duties and recent activity: the city sold 19 vacant residential lots (bringing in $9,500), conducted an auction of seven houses that raised $58,850, and has 25 offers in queue covering 52 parcels. He said the city currently owns roughly 1,450 parcels (about one-third of the city's ~6,000 parcels) and aims to decrease publicly held inventory by 20% (approximately 400 parcels) to expand the tax base.

On redevelopment, Clyburn listed an active portfolio of projects he described as representing a $135 million investment: Manchester Place (200 units, $20 million, ~50% complete), Highland Park housing community (8 buildings, 160 units, $35 million, ~85% complete), The Gabriels (336 units, $70 million), and Highland Manor (48 units, $10 million). He said many projects include senior housing units and that the city is coordinating demolition, eviction and title-recovery work with legal and code-enforcement staff to clear sites for development.

Clyburn also outlined administrative priorities: updating the master plan and zoning ordinance (a diagnostic of zoning is underway), improving the online application and payment system for permits, and strengthening nuisance and blight enforcement. He described Phase 1 of a nuisance-abatement program targeting 13 entities and 19 properties in business corridors (Woodward and Hamilton) and said the city is working with the county and state land bank on demolition efforts.

Clyburn framed lot sales as immediate revenue opportunities and a lever to hire more staff and restore city services. He estimated selling 400 parcels at average tax yield would increase operating budget revenue by roughly $1 million and reduce the city's share of unpaid water bills tied to publicly owned parcels.

Carlton Clyburn encouraged residents to sign up for city texts and emails to receive agenda notices and public hearing information for planning and ZBA meetings.

The city did not vote on legislation at the meeting; Clyburn said some ordinances have been updated (graffiti ordinance) and others (blight, zoning) are in progress and will come to council for action.