REVITALIZING NEIGHBORHOOD

S THROUGH VACANT

PROPERTY STRATEGIES

Michigan Municipal League’s 111th Annual

ConventionSeptember 23, 2009

Presentation Goals

2

Problem

Detroit Strategy

Accomplishments

Exporting the Model

The Problem

3

Weak Market Limits

Short-term Redevelop

ment Opportuniti

es

Disinvestment in Stable Neighborho

ods

Lack of Data and Systems in Place to Respond Quickly

Limited Capacity at all Levels

Lack of Coordination Between

Public, Private,

Nonprofit, and

Philanthropic

Organizations

Sudden High

Vacancy Rates

Accelerated by

Foreclosure

Change in Percent Addresses Vacant, Detroit, 2005- March 2009

4

78,000 (20%)Addresses Vacant

32,000In 3.25 years

Campaign Formation

The Detroit Campaign

Detroit Vacant Property Campaign (DVPC) is an initiative of Detroit LISC, led by CLR, that involves many organizations

Community groups, neighborhood associations CDC’s, CDADResidentsFaith-based organizationsCity of DetroitMSHDANext Detroit Neighborhood InitiativeOffice of Foreclosure and Response / DEGCUniversity of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

6

The Goals

7

Move vacant properties back into reuse

Strengthen nonprofits and community organizations

Increase community and public awareness

Help communities lead their own campaigns

Create an environment (i.e., city, county, state legislation and policy) that supports the community’s vacant property efforts and goals

The Structure

LISC CLR

Coordinated Planning

Capacity Building and TA

VPLT

Advisory Council

CLR

LISC

NDNI

MSHDACity

CDCs

Partners

Neighbor Assoc.

The Strategy

Coordinated Planning

Policy Work and Systems Development

Technical Assistance

Education and Community Outreach

1) Education & Engagement

The Vacant Property Toolboxes(A “how to” and resource guide)

Over 2500 copies distributed

Community Presentations

Publications to Community

Members and Residents

Dialogue with Residents and

Neighborhoods

Neighborhood Develops a

Vacant Property Strategy

Neighborhood Leaders Oversee

Own Neighborhood VP Campaign

2) Technical Assistance

TA Offerings

Community-Based Organizations- Mapping Assistance

- Property Ownership and Title Assistance- Vacant Property Strategy Development- Vacant Property Database Assistance

- Vacant Property Inventory and Assessment- Survey training for CDCs and organizations

- CAPP Mini-Grant Program

Partners- NSP Assistance

-TA for VP Acquisition and Disposition-VP Planning and Strategy Development

-Data Analysis and Trend Tracking-Community Investment Indicator System

3) Policy and Systems Work

Serve as a resource and clearinghouse on VP policy and systemsEX: The Detroit Land Bank

4) Coordinated Planning

VPLT

Mission

Coordination

Vision

Leadership

The Vacant Property Leadership Team (VPLT):

Accomplishments

14

Served over sixty community based organizations over the course of one year through:

• Education and outreach

• General TA

• Intense TA and planning

• CAPP mini-grant program

Led community data collection processes in 8 neighborhoods and currently supporting D-ACIS’s citywide data collection project

Accomplishments

15

Developed and distributed over 2,500 Toolbox publications to neighborhoods

Provided specialized TA to partners:

• City of Detroit

• Detroit Land Bank Authority Board

• Office of Foreclosure Prevention and Response

• Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative

• Detroit LISC

• Detroit Area Community Information System

Recognized as resource to local and national media as well as local and state policymakers

Exporting the Model

16

Exploring partnerships with MSHDA and CEDAM

Statewide Products:

• VP Legal Team I, Vacant Property Legal Manual, December 2008

• VP Legal Team II, Publication on Vacant Land, Municipal Response and Coordinated Development Tools, October 2009 (projected)

TA to Other Cities:

• Pontiac Vacant Property TA, 2009

• Considering Vacant Property TA in 3 other Cities (TBD), 2009-2010

Considerations for Exporting

Campaign must be led by local stakeholders Requires local capacity through CDC’s, other nonprofits, colleges/universities, and/or local governmentMust have both vacant property needs AND evidence of market opportunities to be successful in the long-termEffective strategy requires collaboration and buy-in among nonprofit, private and public sectorsSuccess depends on ability to leverage resources from multiple sources

Contact Information

Contact Information:

Heidi Mucherie, CLR

Executive Director

313.962.3171 x225

hamucherie@clronline.org