Chemung County has been notified that their application to establish a land bank has been approved by the New York State Empire Development Corporation. The land bank will serve as an important tool in transforming Elmira’s downtown and surrounding neighborhoods by converting vacant properties into uses that support community revitalization and foster economic growth.
The land bank, which will be formally known as the Chemung County Property Development Corporation (CCPDC), is one of only 20 applications that will be authorized in the State. New York State’s Land Bank Program was signed into law by the Governor in July of 2010.
The focus of the land bank will be on tax-delinquent vacant, abandoned, and under-utilized housing and commercial properties in specifically targeted areas in and around the City of Elmira’s downtown business district. Once controlled by CCPDC, properties will be evaluated for reuse and sold or conveyed through locally developed policies that reflect the communities’ priorities. The effort will be led by Southern Tier Economic Growth and the City of Elmira, including Code Enforcement.
CCPDC will sell property to responsible buyers for redevelopment with the priorities for reuse to include neighborhood revitalization and stabilization. The CCPDC Board will initially be comprised of Chemung County Treasurer Joseph Sartori, Chemung County Legislator L. Thomas Sweet, Chemung County Industrial Development representative Dawn Burlew, City of Elmira Mayor’s appointment Jennifer Miller and Chemung County Planning Commissioner Randy Olthof.
Chemung County Executive Tom Santulli said, “The growing number of delinquent properties in the heart of Elmira is a burden on our economy which is weakening our housing market and hindering economic development efforts. Creating diverse housing options and a vibrant thriving downtown are needed to attract young talent and a highly qualified workforce.”
15th District Legislator Rodney J. Strange who voted to apply to the state applauded the approved application. “I fully support this effort to establish this land bank because for far to long foreclosed properties have been swooped up by out-of-town absentee landlords who buy up these properties at auction and put no money into them and let them deteriorate,” Strange said. “This new ability for the county to keep these properties and use them for economic development opportunities and neighborhood revitalization is crucial to the future of the city,” Strange concluded.