State Report Praises County Land Bank Operations By: Katie Atkins, Post-Journal

Recently, the New York Land Bank Association released a comprehensive report on the early accomplishments of the state's nine land banks over the last two years and found the Chautauqua County Land Bank has demonstrated the ability to stabilize neighborhoods across the county through its programming and problem-solving.

Twenty-four properties have entered the land bank's rehabilitation program and an additional 60 are scheduled for demolition. In smaller towns, another seven are scheduled for rehabilitation with 10 scheduled for demolition.

According to the report, progress is being made through shifting the paradigm on how the county deals with tax foreclosures, and leveraging resources to tackle the glut of vacant, abandoned and condemned properties.

"Since the Chautauqua County Land Bank's creation in 2012, we have recognized the impact that land banks can have on community revitalization and neighborhood stabilization," said Peter Lombardi, chair of the county Land Bank Corporation. "Local governments in Chautauqua County have found an innovative and capable partner in combating blight and strengthening our housing market. The support of the County Legislature in facilitating our acquisitions and developing the landfill credit system to offset demolition expenses has significantly enhanced our success."

The report was the state association's first comprehensive study and contains information about the statewide network of the nine land banks from Erie County to Suffolk County.

It will be used as a resource for local officials, state leaders, public and private funders and other parties interested in the value and role of land banks in communities combating property vacancy and abandonment.

Lombardi said the goal of the Chautauqua County Land Bank is to get to a point where it produces enough revenue to support its activities.

"Through the selling of properties to developers and homeowners, we want to bring in enough revenue to help pay for strategic demolitions, transfers to new owners and administration," he said.

The Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation was created in 2012 as one of the first land banks in New York state with support from local government, community groups and the business community.

It returns vacant, abandoned, underutilized and tax-delinquent properties to productive use in ways that support the community's long-range vision for its future by stabilizing and selling properties to buyers for redevelopment.

"As the co-author of the New York state land bank law, I am gratified to see the incredible progress that has been made as a result of the land banks that have been established throughout NYS," said Sam Hoyt, regional president. "In addition, I thank Governor Cuomo for recognizing this important tool for combating blight and problem properties across the state and for his continued support of the revitalization of our cities."

The Chautauqua County Land Bank is an independent, nonprofit and a public authority designated by the state of New York, and is governed by a board of directors consisting of representatives from the public and private sector from across the county.

The full state report is available at www.centerstateceo.com/NYLBA.