LANSING – The city of Detroit will be able to continue with its planned demolitions of abandoned buildings and will be complying with state and federal law, the city and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment said in a joint statement late Tuesday.

The city had come under fire Monday for beginning demolitions without conducting required inspections of the buildings, mostly abandoned homes, and without giving proper notice to state and federal authorities of the planned razing. Checking for the presence of asbestos was a key issue.

City and state officials met Tuesday and worked out a plan to ensure the inspections and oversight are done without putting the city too far behind its demolition schedule.

“The City of Detroit’s 2010 demolition plan is moving forward on schedule and in compliance with all relevant state and federal regulations. Today’s meeting will ensure continued cooperation and communication between the Bing administration and the state of Michigan to continue taking down dangerous and abandoned structures in the City of Detroit,” the state and city said in a joint statement.

“The DNRE and city of Detroit agreed that today’s meeting was productive and allowed the city the opportunity to share their plans and timelines for this demolition project, and for the DNRE to outline the procedures necessary to ensure compliance with all state and federal regulations. Both parties will maintain an ongoing dialogue to ensure ongoing compliance and cooperation”

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing had proposed to demolish 3,000 vacant homes before the end of the year.

The combined crises of foreclosure and population loss in the city has created enormous numbers of abandoned homes that quickly fall into disrepair.

State officials said they had learned of Bing’s program through the news media and were concerned about the city failing to check homes for asbestos, which could become airborne and a health threat for those living near the demolished structures.

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