Youngstown - Mahoning County Vacant Property Initiative

Youngstown-Mahoning County Vacant Property Initiative Announces Launch of National Vacant Property Campaign Report
February 4, 2009 - Youngstown OH


The Youngstown-Mahoning County Vacant Property Initiative invites all members of the public to attend the launch of the National Vacant Property Campaign report entitled Regenerating Youngstown and Mahoning County through Vacant Property Reclamation on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM at St. Patrick's Church Hall on Oak Hill Avenue in Youngstown. Distinguished guests include Joseph Schilling (National Vacant Property Committee, Virginia Tech) and Daniel Kildee (Genesee County MI Treasurer, Genesee Land Bank Chair and CEO.

This groundbreaking report is the result of 18 months worth of work by a diverse collection of local leaders who have collectively addressed the vacant property challenges that face both the city of Youngstown and Mahoning County. The main focus of the VPI and this report is to revise existing and create new city and county systems for the prevention and reclamation of vacant property. The report promotes the integration and coordination of policy and practical solutions to more effectively prevent, acquire, and reuse these community assets.

The VPI steering committee is comprised of members from a number of state, county and city organizations along with community groups and the private sector. This unprecedented illustration of regional collaboration includes representation from Mahoning County, the City of Youngstown, Wick Neighbors Inc. Austintown Township, Boardman Township,Coldwell Banker/First Place Real Estate, Home Savings and Loan, Lien Forward Ohio, Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative, Ohio Department of Development, Ronald Cornell Faniro Architects, Seventh Ward Citizens Coalition, St. Patrick's Church, and Youngstown State University.

I highly recommend that if you have an interest in this issue that you attend this event.