Enter the Chautauqua County Land Bank.

The Chautauqua County Land Bank is a nonprofit corporation, operating under New York state authority, to assist communities to address the issues of blight caused by vacant, abandoned, condemned, and foreclosed properties.

There are far too many dilapidated buildings in the county for the Land Bank to take care of by itself. That’s why the Land Bank targets key properties. Sometimes these properties are marketed and sold. Other times they need to be demolished.

The Portland Town Board is hoping the Land Bank can address the burned house on Pecor Street in Brocton.

But just because a property is in disrepair doesn’t mean the Land Bank is going to come to the rescue. In Dunkirk, a landlord who owns several properties, once asked the Lank Bank to take over his house on King Street because he didn’t have insurance. But that’s not what the Land Bank is for. That owner still has options, even if it means getting a loan to tear down the house.

The Land Bank’s funds are limited. That’s why the board needs to move cautiously when deciding which properties to address. If not, their funds will dry up quickly.

Buildings like the former Trophy Building are good uses for Land Bank funds. Getting rid of it will make a difference in property values in Fredonia.