Demolition and Vacant Lot Re-Use

The Cuyahoga County Land Bank is authorized to accelerate the acquisition and demolition of abandoned nuisance properties. Removal of such nuisances increases public safety, appearance and property values in neighborhoods.

Based on physical condition, local input and other criteria, a list of CCLRC properties will be identified for demolition. Demolition policies and activities will be structured carefully in accordance with the wishes of the municipality. Vacant properties that are left after the structures have been demolished will either be held for future development, transferred to the respective municipality, cleaned and greened, or converted to other productive uses consistent with local priorities.

Demolition contractors are required to be properly licensed and to obtain appropriate permits.

Deconstruction

Deconstruction is the selective and careful dismantling of buildings to maximize re-use and recycling. In addition to demolition, the CCLRC will look for partners having experience in the deconstruction and recycling of building materials. It is anticipated that a portion of the CCLRC's demolition inventory will be held specifically for deconstruction. Re-use is important for several reasons, including reducing the amount of material that burdens conventional repositories of demolition material, cutting the community's waste export costs, providing low cost materials to people in need, and reducing gases emitted from landfills that may contribute to climate change. The land bank will seek to work creatively and economically with deconstruction contractors in a way that maximizes neighborhood planning, jobs and workforce development.

Clean and Green

The CCLRC will endeavor to support innovative community groups and organizations in the cleaning, maintaining and beautifying of CCLRC-owned properties. The desired result is to beautify neighborhoods, and build camaraderie among neighbors. Programs will conform to local city policy and may not be available in all communities. Further details will be announced as programs are developed.

Side Lot

Cuyahoga County homeowners with CCLRC-owned vacant land adjacent to the right or left of their home may have the opportunity to purchase that property as a side lot for a nominal cost. It is the CCLRC's intention to merge such land bank parcels with adjacent owner parcels in such a way that the property owner's land value is enhanced and such vacant lots are restored to the tax rolls. Programs will conform to local city policy and may not be available in all communities.

Urban Agriculture

Urban agriculture includes the growing of plants and forestry within and around cities. As compared to rural agriculture, urban agriculture attempts to integrate these activities into the urban economic and ecological system. These linkages include the involvement of urban residents to meet labor needs (workforce development) and the use of typical urban resources.

The CCLRC will seek to partner with public and private sector organizations to use the CCLRC's inventory to support urban agriculture. The CCLRC will assist community groups wishing to develop and maintain gardens in targeted areas. The gardens can be a part of a broader water retention or beautification initiative, or a food distribution network. Parameters will be provided to guide development. Food that is grown in such urban gardens can be sold at open food markets (similar to the West Side Market). Programs will conform to local city policy and may not be available in all communities.

Copyright © 2009-2010 Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corp. All rights reserved.