Philadelphia Councilwoman Proposes Central Land Bank To Administer Vacant Properties.
The Philadelphia Inquirer (2/2, Graham) reported, "After years of discussion on how to
remedy the city's plague of vacant and often rotting properties, Councilwoman
Maria Quiñones Sánchez introduced a bill Thursday that would create a central
land bank to collect and find better uses for empty parcels." City-owned vacant
properties are now "divided among a number of agencies," each with its own
"policies and rules for disposing of parcels." Sánchez said this system "stymies
potential buyers and developers, and frustrates efforts to turn vacant lots into
green spaces." Under her proposal, the central land bank "would be allowed to
dispose of land at reduced or nominal prices for 'projects that demonstrate
beneficial community impact,' such as affordable housing and community gardens."