Behind PlanPhilly: land banking and vacant property

Wondering what all of this talk about vacant property reform is about? Curious about how the proposed land bank might work? Want to learn more about the consequences of these reforms for citizens, neighborhoods, community and economic development groups, and the city’s tax rolls?

Get behind the headlines with PlanPhilly on Tuesday, June 12 for an on-the-record conversation about Philadelphia’s vacant property strategies with representatives from the administration, City Council, development community, and nonprofit sector.

Our panelists:

• Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez represents the Seventh District and has sponsored the land bank legislation currently being considered by City Council.
• Sandy Salzman has worked on neighborhood revitalization efforts addressing vacant properties, including a side yard campaign and industrial reuse projects, in her native Fishtown as Executive Director of New Kensington Community Development Corporation.
• Bridget Collins-Greenwald is Deputy Managing Director. As the soon-to-be-named Property Commissioner, she will be responsible for managing the administration’s vacant property initiatives.
• Anne Fadullon, Vice President of the Building Industry Association, was Director of Development at the Redevelopment Authority during the Rendell Administration and has more than 25 years of real estate development experience.

The discussion will be moderated by PlanPhilly contributor, Patrick Kerkstra. Patrick’s Desolate to Dynamic series about Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha’s redevelopment work in Eastern North Philadelphia, and his more recent series about tax-delinquency and vacant property make him the perfect person to lead the conversation.

So join us Tuesday, June 12 at the Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch Street (map) for our second Behind PlanPhilly event. Come at 5pm for happy hour and refreshments. The panel discussion will start at 6pm, followed by a Q&A. Tickets are $5 in advance and may be purchased online.