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Grand Rapids launches city land bank; 106 properties to transfer from state authority in February
Summary
City staff and commissioners discussed next steps for a newly created Grand Rapids land bank, including an anticipated transfer of about 106 properties in early February, options for long-term governance and the need for staffing and budget planning.
Grand Rapids officials briefed the city commission on plans to stand up a city land bank and take control of roughly 106 properties now held by the state land bank, with an anticipated transfer on Feb. 1.
At a Jan. meeting, Sarah Renero, the city’s economic development director, said the state “land bank fast track authority” amendments that took effect in 2023 enable municipalities in counties without a county-level land bank to establish their own. “Land banks are public authorities … to put these properties back into productive use,” Renero said, describing the authority’s powers to hold, manage and sell property, accept grants and loans, and issue bonds.
Why it matters: The city’s land bank is intended to give Grand Rapids a focused tool to return vacant or tax-foreclosed…
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