Land Bank delays decision on large 443 E. 16th community garden after residents, organizers and county funding questions

The Erie City Land Bank on Monday tabled a proposal to convert 443 East 16th Street into a large community garden after extended public comment and board requests for funding and maintenance details. The board said it will revisit the application at its next monthly meeting after receiving a revised application and, if available, a presentation from the Erie County Land Bank — the land bank’s primary funder.

Representatives of an organization identified in the packet as “Erie’s Black Wall Street” discussed a garden proposal that relied in part on an anticipated grant from a state senator but did not include the grant amount or a multi-year maintenance budget. Board members repeatedly asked for a development budget, timeline, capital and maintenance funding and evidence the applicant could sustain the garden over time.

Corey Lyons, who identified himself as a 30-year resident of 947 West Seventh Street and local business owner, urged staff and applicants to ensure neighborhood support and clarity about how plots would be maintained. “I would like to start neighborhood gardens… I have the volunteers. I have the materials. I have five master gardeners in my neighborhood,” Lyons said at the podium, asking what the process is to acquire vacant lots from the land bank and whether a lease or purchase is required.

A representative of the applicant group told the board its plan would include neighborhood engagement and volunteer support but said they had not provided line-item grant amounts because some anticipated funding was still being finalized. Board members and staff instructed the applicant to submit a revised application that included a detailed development budget, funding sources, a five-year maintenance plan, timeline and evidence of neighborhood outreach. The board requested the applicant submit those documents at least 10 days before the next meeting so members could review them in advance.

Board members said part of the reason for the delay is that the Erie County Land Bank provides most of the Erie City Land Bank’s funding; the county had indicated it intended to make a related proposal for the parcel. Several board members said they needed to see the county’s plan and any grant amounts tied to it before acting on a competing application for the same parcel.

The board formally voted to table 443 East 16th Street until next month. Staff told the applicant the land-bank packet’s application requirements include a development budget and proof of sustainable funding and that the board would circulate any follow-up questions in writing if the applicant submitted materials early.