Departure comes amidst federal probe into demolition drive.
Jim Wright, a high-ranking Detroit demolition official, resigned on Wednesday. His departure comes amid a federal probe into the city’s program to tear down thousands of blighted properties.
As deputy director of the Detroit Building Authority, Wright helped select demolition contractors for the program, which has been allocated more than $250 million in federal funds.
A news release from the city announcing Wright’s resignation did not give a reason why he quit. Wright was paid no severance, according to the city’s announcement today.
Timothy Palazzolo, another Detroit demolition program manager, will take over Wright’s responsibilities. Palazzolo has worked for the Detroit Building Authority since April 2015. Before that, he spent 12 years with the city’s planning and development department.
“Tim has done a tremendous job managing our city-funded demolitions, so he is a natural fit to take on this added responsibility,” Detroit Building Authority Director Tyrone Clifton said in a statement.
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