ReBuild Ohio was formed several years ago to address vacant property redevelopment issues. For the last year and a half, Greater Ohio Policy Center has advanced much of the ReBuild Ohio agenda, through our efforts with the Restoring Prosperity to Ohio Initiative. However, as Ohio continues to respond to the fallout of the economic recession and foreclosure crisis, we have decided to once again formalize our efforts with ReBuild Ohio. Over the coming months, Greater Ohio will work to refocus ReBuild Ohio’s efforts to address Ohio’s growing vacant and abandoned property problem through state-level reforms by reconnecting with our existing partners, working to build relationships with new constituencies, developing directions for a new policy and practice manual, and considering how land reuse policies relate to urban and metropolitan sustainability strategies in Ohio. Specifically ReBuild Ohio, as a major project of Greater Ohio, will:
- Promote revitalization and reuse of vacant and abandoned properties to enhance the quality of life for all Ohioans through research, advocacy and education
- Advance new policies and tools designed to prevent and reverse the cycle of deterioration, and to reclaim and reinvest in all types of properties, including residential, commercial and industrial
- Seek to improve existing code enforcement, land use, data information and other preventative tools, and to help develop new state laws and local policies for vacant and abandoned properties
If you are interested in being a part of these efforts please join the ReBuild Ohio Network (http://rbovpforum.lefora.com/). Currently network members have posted and commented on dozens of articles and white papers on topics ranging from foreclosure, housing and neighborhood stabilization to vacant property reclamation and greening. The forum also provides an opportunity to view upcoming events dealing with these issues.
Related to our ReBuild Ohio efforts, we are actively working on the National Vacant Property Conference which is coming to Cleveland October 13 - 15, 2010. The National Vacant Property Campaign is now accepting Request for Session Proposals through January 22nd. If you are interested in submitting a panel suggestion or looking for further information please visit http://www.vacantproperties.org/.
We are looking forward to continuing to keep you updated on these vacant property redevelopment efforts. If you have any questions please contact our ReBuild Ohio Coordinator, Millie Davis at MDavis@greaterohio.org or call 330.324.7460.