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Grand Rapids Land Bank Authority adopts bylaws, approves legal and maintenance contracts and moves to acquire property portfolio
Summary
The Grand Rapids Land Bank Authority approved bylaws modeled on the Brownfield authority, contracted outside legal counsel, authorized annual property maintenance contractors and approved termination of a prior agreement to acquire 107 properties from the Michigan State Land Bank.
The Grand Rapids Land Bank Authority voted to adopt bylaws, contract for legal services, approve property maintenance vendors and approve a termination agreement that begins transfer of roughly 107 properties into local control.
Board members approved bylaws that staff said were intentionally patterned after the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority where feasible. The bylaws include a conflict-of-interest disclosure clause and a plan to develop a separate code-of-ethics policy. Members discussed a specific sentence in the bylaws that allows the board, by majority vote of directors present, to determine whether a conflict exists and require the interested director to refrain from participating on that matter. Some board members said that approach differs from current practice and recommended carrying the more detailed rules into a standalone policy.
The authority approved a contract with outside counsel (identified in staff materials as Bloom Sluggett — corrected from a transcribed name) for immediate legal support on governance and transactional matters. Staff said the firm was selected for availability, relevant capability and a contract structure that allows termination.
Members approved an annual property‑maintenance contract (two vendors recommended to share work) with a $50,000 annual not-to-exceed amount and an optional one-year renewal. Staff described maintenance and legal services as the largest anticipated near‑term expenditures for the nascent authority.
On a separate vote, the board approved a termination of the December 2019 three‑party agreement among the city, the Michigan State Land Bank and the Grand Rapids Land Bank Authority and authorized acquisition steps for a portfolio of 107 properties. Staff said city commission approval is required and will be sought; the city commission was scheduled to review the termination agreement at its next meeting. The authority also approved a 12‑month option agreement with 443 Sheldon LLC for a multifamily infill site; staff said the applicant is a first-time developer and will likely seek emerging-developer support and a brownfield plan once it finalizes financing and design.
Why it matters: The votes give the local land bank structure, operational support and a route to take title to formerly county‑held or state‑held properties for reuse or disposition. Board members and staff emphasized the need to coordinate with the mayor’s office and the city commission as the city further defines the land bank’s governance and budget.
What’s next: Staff will execute the legal and maintenance contracts, publish the adopted bylaws and work with the city attorney’s office and city commission to complete the property-transfer steps and timeline.
