Joining a host of other Midwestern cities establishing land banks to help corral, clear, and repurpose their vacant properties, Kansas City will begin transferring 3,500 vacant properties it recently acquired into a city-owned land bank.
Already responsible for more than $1.5 million in yearly upkeep costs for the properties that were formerly owned by the financially strapped Jackson County Land Trust, Kansas City began acquiring 3,500 vacant properties this month as the "latest step in a plan to restore blighted communities in the city's core," reports Sarah Fentem.
"David Park of the Kansas City Planning Department said the transfer not
only provides more funds, but also offers the city 'more flexibility and
authority' when dealing with the vacant properties. For example, unlike
the Jackson County Land Trust, the city has the ability to give
properties away or combine two smaller properties to make the land more
marketable," notes Fentem.
"[Park] said he hopes such initiatives will attract younger people to Kansas
City. 'The idea of moving into a neighborhood that needs
revitalization-to be part of that movement- is attractive,' said Park.
New residents could help reduce blight by encouraging positive
redevelopment. 'I don't think we can cause it, but I think we can
facilitate it.'"
FULL STORY: Take it to the Bank
Detroit Launches Community Land Trust
A newly created CLT aims to support the building of affordable housing.
A Brief History of Kansas City’s Microtransit
The city’s costly experiment with on-demand transit is yielding to more strategic investment.
Chattanooga Offers Free Land for Affordable Housing
The city plans to distribute 11 properties to affordable housing builders.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie