Land of Opportunity

Behind PlanPhilly

That’s what Councilwoman María Quiñones Sánchez called Philadelphia’s 40,000 plus parcels of vacant property at a PlanPhilly event June 12. The panel discussion explored the city’s vacant land reform efforts and pending land bank legislation introduced by Sanchez.

Sandy Salzman, Director of the New Kensington Community Development Corporation, described how redevelopment transformed her neighborhood, but acquiring vacant property in Philadelphia isn’t easy. “A great piece of land may have five or six owners,” Building Industry Association Vice President Anne Fadullon said, “and each agency or entity involved has a different process. It can take an enormous amount of effort to get a half block.”

According to Bridget Collins-Greenwald, the city’s next Property Commissioner, that’s beginning to change. “The mayor heard your concerns,” she said. In May, the city released a disposition policy and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority (PRA) introduced a new website that allows developers and interested buyers to search for available city properties using an interactive map and to submit an expression of interest online.

While everyone agreed the administration made a huge step forward, Philadelphia still lacks a common vision. “The city needs to articulate a long-term strategy for redevelopment,” Councilwoman Sanchez said. “We need to more deliberate and the land bank is an opportunity to do that.” Sanchez believes her land bank legislation will allow the city to coordinate the release of land with city and community planning efforts and avoid spotty development.

But critics say the proposed bill gives City Council too much power by allowing it to pull a project at any time. “Talking to neighbors and getting community buy-in often leads to better projects,” Fadullon said, “however, this uncertainty to the end holds Philadelphia back.”

For more on this panel discussion, including video coverage, visit http://planphilly.com/public-officials-private-citizens-discuss-vacant-land-reform-second-behind-planphilly-event.