Council approves interlocal agreement to join countywide land bank, committing Richmond to multi‑year funding
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Summary
The Richmond Common Council voted to approve an interlocal agreement to form a countywide land bank, committing the city to help fund a three‑year $60,000 annual match and enabling the new board to acquire, maintain and repurpose vacant residential properties.
The Richmond Common Council voted April 6 to approve an interlocal agreement that will create a countywide land bank to acquire, manage and redevelop vacant, abandoned and tax‑delinquent residential properties.
Valerie Shafer, president of the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, told the council the land bank’s goals are to increase homeownership, support affordable housing and raise property values by clearing titles and packaging problem parcels for responsible buyers. The county commissioners approved the agreement and a three‑year $60,000 annual funding commitment; the EDC requested that Richmond match the annual amount. Shafer said the county and the EDC also committed a one‑time $100,000 seed investment to launch operations.
Joe Fillenworth, the EDC’s consultant on the project, said the land bank would be governed by a board (up to nine members) with two Richmond appointments: one from the common council and one from the mayor. He described an operational approach that includes mowing and boarding properties, coordinating with code enforcement, conducting property‑level structural or “phase 1” assessments, performing emergency repairs where cost‑effective and, in some cases, demolishing structures that cannot be salvaged.
Councilors pressed the presenters on scope and oversight. Council President asked whether the land bank would be countywide; Shafer said it would. Councilor Purcell and others raised concerns about engineering reviews, long‑term maintenance and the additional code‑enforcement burden for the city; Fillenworth said property‑by‑property evaluations would guide repair versus demolition decisions and that the land bank would aim to package nearby parcels to attract developers.
The EDC said it already has 16 properties under contract for a STAR rehabilitation project and three properties being held by a subsidiary pending formation of the land bank; the land bank would hold such properties temporarily and help manage insurance and maintenance while developers are lined up.
Councilor Gary Turner moved to approve the interlocal agreement, Jerry Purcell seconded, and the motion carried by majority vote.
Next steps: council approval authorizes Richmond’s funding commitment as part of the interlocal agreement; the land bank must stand up its board and staff (they plan to hire a part‑time land bank manager initially) before beginning acquisitions and formal operations.
