It's a citizen-based volunteer commission. No one on the panel is being paid for their time. If anything, depending on what is proposed, the group may recommended changes that may actually save taxpayers money over time.
1. Youngstown has over 3,300 vacant properties; there are over 1,200 properties that need immediately demolished; the city's vacant property rate is 20x the national average
2. The city saw a 25.4% increase in “F” Grade properties alone since 2008 (aprox. 1,100).
3. The rate of vacant structures per 1,000 residents (based on a 2009 Census estimate of 72, 425) was 44.8. The national average is 2.3 (Brookings).
4. The city’s total percentage of vacant land was 31.51% which is twice the national average of 15.4% in 2000 (Brookings).
5. The number of OCCUPIED homes with obvious external code violations was 1,397.
6. The total bank foreclosures (November 2010) was 1,011 and homeowner foreclosures was 459. That is a foreclosure rate of 1 in 40 homes. The national average is 1 in 139 (per 2010 third quarter figures).
7. The total active tax liens (Land Bank Eligible Properties): 15,309
This is an epidemic. It effects the entire stability of not just Youngstown but the entire Valley. Vacant property devalues the property value of other homeowners; it results in people not being able to get insurance on their homes; it leads to more rental and less home ownership; it leads to increased criminal activity (vandalism, squatting, drug dealing, arson); it leads to rodent infestation; it leads to further out-migration of good people from stable neighborhoods.
You can't run from this problem. You have to fight it (much like the effort that is afoot mentioned in this editorial).
The Vindicator is correct: the problem must be addressed with a sense of urgency, indeed.
First, thanks to the Pete Milliken and the Vindy for the coverage.
Here's a quote Business Journal article dated August 11th, 2011 titled "Mahoning County Land Bank Takes Shape":
'Lien Forward has a contract pending before the (Land Bank) board to administer the nuts and bolts of the land bank. Yemma said that the 86 transfers is an aggressive target to hit, but he believes it can be done. "They're prepared to move," he said. "We want to be operational as soon as possible. I'm hoping we could start transferring properties by the end of September."
That was August 2011. The contract situation was (tentatively) settled only yesterday. Prior to yesterday's meeting, the board has not met in full (to approve anything) since October of last year. Obviously, none of the proposed 86 cases have moved. There are over 400 cases pending.
Meanwhile, back on the front lines: 1. Youngstown's vacant property rate is 20x the national average; 2. The foreclosure rate is about 1 in 40 homes (3.5 times the national average). 3. There are 15,309 active tax liens on Youngstown properties.
We have an epidemic on our hands. The land bank cannot be a passive, bureaucratic tool to simply clear titles on properties. It needs to be a powerful, proactive redevelopment tool for Mahoning County. The sense of urgency demonstrated in simply getting the Lank Bank operational has not instilled confidence.
All that being said, it is important to remember that this isn't about finger-pointing. There's lot of players involved with the Land Bank and there have been somewhat extenuating political challenges. However, the public isn't interested in the Lien Forward-Treasurer-Prosecutor political triangle. Our leadership needs to act with a sense of professionalism and urgency right now. We've got a long, hard war in front of us to fight.
@whitesabbath: I have an up-to-date city-wide list that includes meeting times, location and points of contact. Send me an email and I'll be sure to get it to you. Thanks.
I am not from Youngstown but Youngstown has been my home now for the better part of 15 years. If you think efforts to improve Youngstown are futile, that's your prerogative. However, criticizing those who try choose to improve where they live is silly, small, mean and just as futile.
In other words, given the two choices, I'd rather fight and have the right then to complain...rather than use the same energy to complain about those who choose to fight.
Administrative question: Would The Vindicator consider incorporating a "Like" / "Dislike" feature for individual comments?
Not everyone is interested in leaving a comment, however, many people do READ the comments. I'm willing to bet a Rust Belt beer that a good number of readers would take the time to click thumbs up or down. That type of feedback would be very interesting to see.
Additionally, I have to believe this could only create additional site traffic for Vindy.com.
I live around the park and have for the better part of 15 years. While there are still significant challenges, the park and the neighborhood have both seen significant improvement over the last several years.
The Wick Park Neighborhood Association is one of the most proactive neighborhood groups in the city (www.WickPark.org). In fact, our neighborhood group and other community organizations have been able to raise over $150,000 for the park / neighborhood in just the past two years. In that same period of time, we've seen over $12 million of private investment which has included a 115 person student dormitory, CVS store, Northeast Ohio's first Food Incubator and the purchase and renovation of over 12 significant structures for commercial or residential use.
The following is a breakdown in fiscal investment made in the park itself:
$17,000 Park Project Planning - Raymond John Wean Foundation $31,000 Park Corner Landscaping –Youngstown CityScape $4,500 Park Benches & Exercise Equipment Station Repairs—Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative and YMHA YouthBuild $4400 “Welcome to Historic Wick Park Signage—Wick Park Neighborhood Association
Point: Change can (and does) happen when you have people who care / get involved rather than just complain or render dismissive judgement from afar.
Charter panel starts under the gun
It's a citizen-based volunteer commission. No one on the panel is being paid for their time. If anything, depending on what is proposed, the group may recommended changes that may actually save taxpayers money over time.
January 24, 2012 at 12:08 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Cities need helping hand in battling housing blight
Facts (as of 2010):
1. Youngstown has over 3,300 vacant properties; there are over 1,200 properties that need immediately demolished; the city's vacant property rate is 20x the national average
2. The city saw a 25.4% increase in “F” Grade properties alone since 2008 (aprox. 1,100).
3. The rate of vacant structures per 1,000 residents (based on a 2009 Census estimate of 72, 425) was 44.8. The national average is 2.3 (Brookings).
4. The city’s total percentage of vacant land was 31.51% which is twice the national average of 15.4% in 2000 (Brookings).
5. The number of OCCUPIED homes with obvious external code violations was 1,397.
6. The total bank foreclosures (November 2010) was 1,011 and homeowner foreclosures was 459. That is a foreclosure rate of 1 in 40 homes. The national average is 1 in 139 (per 2010 third quarter figures).
7. The total active tax liens (Land Bank Eligible Properties): 15,309
This is an epidemic. It effects the entire stability of not just Youngstown but the entire Valley. Vacant property devalues the property value of other homeowners; it results in people not being able to get insurance on their homes; it leads to more rental and less home ownership; it leads to increased criminal activity (vandalism, squatting, drug dealing, arson); it leads to rodent infestation; it leads to further out-migration of good people from stable neighborhoods.
You can't run from this problem. You have to fight it (much like the effort that is afoot mentioned in this editorial).
The Vindicator is correct: the problem must be addressed with a sense of urgency, indeed.
January 19, 2012 at 12:52 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Mahoning County Land Bank reaches agreement with prosecutor’s office
First, thanks to the Pete Milliken and the Vindy for the coverage.
Here's a quote Business Journal article dated August 11th, 2011 titled "Mahoning County Land Bank Takes Shape":
'Lien Forward has a contract pending before the (Land Bank) board to administer the nuts and bolts of the land bank. Yemma said that the 86 transfers is an aggressive target to hit, but he believes it can be done. "They're prepared to move," he said. "We want to be operational as soon as possible. I'm hoping we could start transferring properties by the end of September."
That was August 2011. The contract situation was (tentatively) settled only yesterday. Prior to yesterday's meeting, the board has not met in full (to approve anything) since October of last year. Obviously, none of the proposed 86 cases have moved. There are over 400 cases pending.
Meanwhile, back on the front lines:
1. Youngstown's vacant property rate is 20x the national average;
2. The foreclosure rate is about 1 in 40 homes (3.5 times the national average).
3. There are 15,309 active tax liens on Youngstown properties.
We have an epidemic on our hands. The land bank cannot be a passive, bureaucratic tool to simply clear titles on properties. It needs to be a powerful, proactive redevelopment tool for Mahoning County. The sense of urgency demonstrated in simply getting the Lank Bank operational has not instilled confidence.
All that being said, it is important to remember that this isn't about finger-pointing. There's lot of players involved with the Land Bank and there have been somewhat extenuating political challenges. However, the public isn't interested in the Lien Forward-Treasurer-Prosecutor political triangle. Our leadership needs to act with a sense of professionalism and urgency right now. We've got a long, hard war in front of us to fight.
January 18, 2012 at 10:32 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Social-networking sites click with neighborhood groups
@whitesabbath: I have an up-to-date city-wide list that includes meeting times, location and points of contact. Send me an email and I'll be sure to get it to you. Thanks.
Phil Kidd
phil.t.kidd@gmail.com
November 14, 2011 at 11:34 a.m. permalink suggest removal
YSU stuns top-ranked North Dakota State 27-24
Y-S-U GO!
November 12, 2011 at 9:36 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Bench players key for YSU
Good luck, guys. Looking forward to watching you this year.
November 8, 2011 at 3:17 p.m. permalink suggest removal
City residents working to improve neighborhoods
Great column, Ernie. Hope you are well.
November 6, 2011 at 7:29 a.m. permalink suggest removal
South Side neighbors clean up
I am not from Youngstown but Youngstown has been my home now for the better part of 15 years. If you think efforts to improve Youngstown are futile, that's your prerogative. However, criticizing those who try choose to improve where they live is silly, small, mean and just as futile.
In other words, given the two choices, I'd rather fight and have the right then to complain...rather than use the same energy to complain about those who choose to fight.
August 21, 2011 at 10:21 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Wick Park a focus of Youngstown administration, groups
@Mark Sweetwood:
Administrative question: Would The Vindicator consider incorporating a "Like" / "Dislike" feature for individual comments?
Not everyone is interested in leaving a comment, however, many people do READ the comments. I'm willing to bet a Rust Belt beer that a good number of readers would take the time to click thumbs up or down. That type of feedback would be very interesting to see.
Additionally, I have to believe this could only create additional site traffic for Vindy.com.
August 4, 2011 at 3:54 p.m. permalink suggest removal
Wick Park a focus of Youngstown administration, groups
I live around the park and have for the better part of 15 years. While there are still significant challenges, the park and the neighborhood have both seen significant improvement over the last several years.
The Wick Park Neighborhood Association is one of the most proactive neighborhood groups in the city (www.WickPark.org). In fact, our neighborhood group and other community organizations have been able to raise over $150,000 for the park / neighborhood in just the past two years. In that same period of time, we've seen over $12 million of private investment which has included a 115 person student dormitory, CVS store, Northeast Ohio's first Food Incubator and the purchase and renovation of over 12 significant structures for commercial or residential use.
The following is a breakdown in fiscal investment made in the park itself:
$17,000 Park Project Planning - Raymond John Wean Foundation
$31,000 Park Corner Landscaping –Youngstown CityScape
$4,500 Park Benches & Exercise Equipment Station Repairs—Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative and YMHA YouthBuild
$4400 “Welcome to Historic Wick Park Signage—Wick Park Neighborhood Association
Point: Change can (and does) happen when you have people who care / get involved rather than just complain or render dismissive judgement from afar.
August 4, 2011 at 9:14 a.m. permalink suggest removal