Vacant Property Reform and Land Banking in Detroit
Abandoned properties and vacant land are detriments to most central city areas. Vacant properties reduce property values in surrounding areas, depress property tax revenues, and create significant public safety hazards. A land bank can be established in order to address urban blight and promote redevelopment. A land bank generally involves public acquisition of abandoned property; the land is then transferred to a nonprofit third party for redevelopment. Land banks attempt to unlock the potential value of properties and sites, with the goal of returning them to productive use.
The Kirwan Institute is providing research and technical assistance regarding establishing an urban land bank program for the City of Detroit alongside MOSES, a nonprofit faith-based coalition. Detroit currently has 40,000 to 70,000 vacant properties. The land bank could bring new investment into Detroit and promote affordable housing opportunities in the city.
DOCUMENTS
How can a land bank assist the City of Detroit?
Memo regarding Michigan Infill Development Initiatives
Land Bank Principles adopted by MOSES: May 2004
MAPS
Detroit Vacancy Map (jpg | pdf)
NEWS
July 2006
The Ohio State University’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity has collaborated with local regional equity advocates to create a land bank for Wayne County Michigan, the home county of the City of Detroit. The Institute also worked with a coalition to support land bank legislation for the State of Michigan. That legislation was passed in December of 2003. The coalition included M.O.S.E.S (a faith-based social justice organization), Community Legal Resources, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the University of Michigan’s Urban and Regional Planning program and other local advocates. The establishment of the land bank authority in Wayne County will be instrumental in addressing and resolving issues related to abandoned and vacant property. (...more...)
