Land Bank Formed to Fight Blight
By Amber Lawrence
Have you ever walked past an empty lot or a building that has been struck by neighborhood blight? Did you ever wonder how someone could put the property to use again? The Schuylkill County Land Bank may be able to help with that.
I interviewed Mary Beth Dougherty, who handles Constituent Relations for Senator David Argall (R-29), to learn more.
Coal Cracker: How can a Land bank help the fight against blight?
Mary Beth Dougherty: Land banks work to [acquire], rehabilitate and repurpose blighted properties in ways that can vary significantly depending on the specific needs of the community. Land banks may demolish or restore buildings, actively maintain properties, and sell or rent properties for a variety of uses including commercial developments, community gardens and side lots to existing homes. The goal is to find a productive use for these properties and get them back on the active tax rolls. [The county, municipality or school district do not tax properties owned by the land bank.]
CC: When and how did the idea of the land bank come about?
MBD: The first land bank was created in Michigan in 2004 and came about in response to many properties sitting vacant and abandoned as a result of foreclosure. Michigan was hit hard with foreclosures because of the problems in the automotive industry and the downward turn of the economy. Other states, including Pennsylvania, began looking at the concept because the first one was very successful. The law that allows local governments to create land banks in Pennsylvania was passed in 2012. The Schuylkill County Land Bank was formed in early 2016 and consists of Mahanoy City, Shenandoah, Minersville, Ashland and Delano. Frackville and Girardville are also in the process of joining.
CC: How is a land bank created?
The Pennsylvania law allows any county, city or borough with a population of 10,000 or more to create a land bank authority. It also allows several municipalities to join together to form one.
CC: Where do the funds come from to operate a land bank?
MBD: Land banks are funded by their local governments, sales of accumulated property, and they can also apply for state, federal or private foundation funding. In addition, [if the land bank gets one of its properties back on the tax rolls], the land bank can keep 50% of the tax revenue of that property for the first five years, with the permission of the taxing bodies¾the municipality, county and school district.
CC: Can the public volunteer at the land bank or do they need to be hired?
MBD: Land banks are run by an authority, which consists of up to 11 members. There are criteria for serving on the authority, such as being a resident in the land bank jurisdiction. Members are not paid to serve but the board does have the ability to hire employees.
The Schuylkill County Land Bank Authority has 11 members and meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm at Mahanoy City Borough Hall. The meetings are open to the public, so anyone may attend!