One Community Update
January 1, 2025
Source: www.abc12.com
The Genesee County Land Bank marked two decades of work in revitalizing vacant and underused property in 2024.
The agency is Michigan’s first land bank, originally founded in 2002 as the Genesee County Land Reutilization Council. Two years later, it became the Genesee County Land Bank, embarking on a mission to tackle blight.
Michael Freeman, the land bank’s executive director, emphasized the organization’s commitment to recovery and renewal.
“While we have lived in crisis, we’re coming out of that. We always have to be mindful of that. We can and will be better,” he said.
In the past year alone, Freeman said the land bank has made significant strides, demolishing or initiating the demolition of over 1,000 blighted structures.
“These are properties that when people left our community, they didn’t take them with them,” Freeman said, highlighting the importance of addressing these neglected sites.
According to the land bank’s annual report, 9,000 blighted structures have been demolished and $165 million has been secured for blight elimination over the last 20 years. More than 10,000 properties have been sold for reuse.
However, Freeman acknowledged the growing challenges for the land bank to continue demolishing and rehabilitating vacant structures.
“Now the cost of materials and labor has gone up exponentially, so that is what we are dealing with,” he said. “That is one of the big challenges.”
The land bank’s community-focused approach includes programs like Clean & Green, which has engaged over 800 volunteers in revitalization efforts.
“We are there to support neighborhoods,” Freeman said. “They have great dreams and a lot of passion for their communities. We want to be there and support them.”
Looking ahead, the land bank remains dedicated to reducing blight, with funding for demolition projects extending through 2026. Freeman expressed enthusiasm about the future.
“It’s the putting back, which I am more excited about,” he said. “But we do have to get rid of the blight first. That is one of the most critical things.”
As the real estate market and economy evolve, Freeman sees new opportunities for the land bank to contribute to housing solutions amid Michigan’s ongoing housing crisis.
“In the new year, we hope to address the best way to use the cleaned-up and now vacant lots,” he said.
The land bank also has plans for various types of multi-family housing and innovative preventative measures. However, Freeman also stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to address blight.
“What we are up against is that while we deal with the public side of blight, we need to create systems to hold people accountable on the private side to improve their properties and not just let them sit and languish,” he said.
Land bank crews will continue cleaning up illegal dumping sites in 2025. This is part of a three-year effort funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has led to the first robust study of illegal dumping nationwide.
As the Genesee County Land Bank celebrates its 20th anniversary, its leaders remain committed to fostering a vibrant and sustainable community, ensuring that the lessons of the past pave the way for a brighter future.
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