Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Legislation Called "National Model"

December 4, 2009

In recent testimony before the Ohio General Assembly, land banking expert Frank Alexander, Esq., Professor of Law at Emory University Law School, testified about the importance of expanded tools, including land banking, to deal with the fallout from the foreclosure crisis. He explained that new and innovative approaches were needed to address difficulties such as clearing title, vacancy and abandonment, all of which contribute to blight. He indicated that he views the legislation adopted by the Ohio 127th General Assembly (Senate Bill 353) as a "national model" that weaves government systems, foreclosure practice and policy into a powerful integrated tool to address the problem.

Senate Bill 353 was a brainchild of Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis and Land Bank President Gus Frangos, who worked for over one year crafting the legislation and advocating its passage. The bill passed in December, 2008, and became effective on April 7, 2009.

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