Kingston Land Bank reports 19 properties returned to tax rolls, outlines pipeline amid transfer limits

Nate Hannigan, chair of the Kingston City Land Bank, told the Kingston Common Council Democratic Caucus that the land bank has returned 19 properties to the tax rolls and is pursuing new construction and predevelopment projects around the city.

The report, delivered March 20 at the caucus, described the land bank—s two-part mission: returning vacant and distressed properties to the tax rolls and creating affordable homeownership that builds generational equity. "The mission of the Kingston City Land Bank is twofold. One is returning vacant and distressed properties back to the tax rolls, and the other is creating affordable homeownership opportunities," Hannigan said.

Hannigan said the land bank was authorized by the council in 2015, established in 2018 and unfunded until 2020. He said the land bank operates as a nonprofit public authority with four full-time staff and a volunteer board.

By the numbers, Hannigan told the caucus: the land bank has acquired 28 properties since 2020 and expected to close a 29th (46 Grand Street) in March, pending final steps. He said 19 properties have been returned to the tax rolls (an increase of six from last year), made up of 15 fully renovated affordable homes and four "as-is" sales (three residential and one vacant lot). Separately,…