Vacant Detroit Firehouses Use SecureView to Maintain Value

As the City of Detroit prepares to sell seven vacant firehouses which were reportedly broken into where thieves removed radiators, sinks and personal equipment left behind, the property preservation company that was given a contract to secure these properties needed to do something to maintain the value of these assets over time.

That is why GTJ Consulting LLC decided to utilize SecureView on all of the firehouses to not only help the properties sell for a high price, but also avoid blighting the affected neighborhood and keeping the area as safe as possible until the units are sold.

SecureView replaced the traditional plywood boards currently installed on the vacant firehouses with an alternative system that is designed to look like traditional windows. The product is made from 100% recycled materials and is virtually unbreakable, which means it has the ability to protect the property from intrusion and reduce the crime and squatting so often associated with plywood and steel boards. 

“This system will assist in preserving the value of these firehouses so the City can sell them and more importantly keep them safe and prevent any further theft,” said Blake Johnson, vice president and chief operating officer for Roseville, Mich.-based GTJ Consulting. “Using SecureView to protect these properties was an obvious choice.”

GTJ Consulting has been providing preservation and maintenance services in Detroit for over 10 years and has been the primary contractor for the Detroit Land Bank Authority since 2010.

The City of Detroit is accepting bids from potential buyers until May 24. The purpose of selling these properties is part of a larger effort to bring relief from the financial distress Detroit currently faces.

“By installing SecureView on these vacant fire stations, the City of Detroit is protecting and preserving the value of these assets while avoiding the stigma so often associated with plywood and steel board-ups,” said Howard Wedren, president and founder of SecureView.