A major step forward in the creation and implementation of the Lackawanna County Land Bank was taken today (October 7) when the Commissioners appointed seven individuals as board members of the Lackawanna County Land Bank.
The Land Bank was created by the Commissioners on June 17 of this year via the passage of Ordinance 239.
The overriding goal of the Land Bank is to deter blight by using available resources to facilitate the return of vacant, blighted, abandoned and tax-delinquent properties to productive use. This will combat community deterioration, create economic growth, strengthen the tax base, and revitalize neighborhoods.
“The formation of a Land Bank was one of my priorities when I was appointed Commissioner,” explained Commissioner Edward G. Staback. “This activity hits right at the core of Lackawanna County – our neighborhoods. The Land Bank will provide the impetus to clean-up our communities, create green space, remove eye-sore structures, resell properties, and put parcels and buildings back on the tax rolls. All these elements are vital to community and economic development. This is a golden opportunity for everyone to form partnerships and combine resources to make a real difference for our area.”
“This is a tremendous opportunity to improve the overall appearance of our communities, remove blight, and generate economic development opportunities that can create even further growth,” said Commissioner Jim Wansacz. “The Land Bank is a win-win situation for everyone. It also helps to generate valuable new revenue for both the County and local communities by returning land and properties back to the tax rolls.”
“The Land Bank is simply good business. It helps to clean-up blight, create new opportunities for commercial development, enhances the overall appearance of our various communities, and encourages investment in affordable housing, which enables families to secure the American Dream,” noted Commissioner Patrick M. O’Malley.
The seven Land Bank Board members all have the relevant expertise and experience to guide the startup and ongoing direction of this important tool, aimed at revitalizing our communities. The members are:
- Commissioner Patrick M. O’Malley
- Linda B. Aebli, Executive Director of the City of Scranton’s Office of Economic & Community Development
- Henry E. Deeke, Jr. Real Estate Broker and Appraiser
- Marion E. Gatto, Past Secretary, Treasurer and President of the Greater Scranton Board of Realtors
- George Kelly, Director of Planning & Economic Development for Lackawanna County
- Terrence McDonnell, Dunmore Zoning Board
- Steven Pitoniak, Transportation Planning Manager for Lackawanna County
The Land Bank’s initial actions are to develop plans, practices and procedures. An intergovernmental agreement is key to working with communities and school boards, and it will be a priority to move the Land Bank into operation.
The Land Bank will hold community information and outreach sessions to discuss the many benefits of what a land bank can achieve in Lackawanna County. In addition, feedback and dialogue will be used to verify that the priorities and direction meet the needs of the communities interested in working as part of this newly formed initiative.
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