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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)