Cities and towns in Maine are getting a helping hand in redeveloping empty properties with the establishment of a new state agency called the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority. This move aligns Maine with 21 other states that have similar programs at the state level. In April 2022, Governor Janet Mills appointed nine commissioners with diverse backgrounds to lead this new initiative. Last week, they met in person for the first time and discussed some key issues.
One major point of discussion is the mission of the land bank. Commissioners debated whether the focus should be on redeveloping vacant single-family homes or concentrating solely on industrial and commercial properties that can have a broader impact. Some argue that single-family home redevelopment, while essential for housing needs, poses administrative challenges for cities. On the other hand, some commissioners believe the land bank should remain open to redeveloping single-family residences to avoid excluding communities that predominantly have such properties.
Maine faces a growing issue of vacant homes due to factors like age, disrepair, or foreclosure. A state housing report from October noted an increase of 5,000 such homes since 2011. While the need for single-family home redevelopment is evident, it’s a complex and time-consuming process for individual cities.
The land bank will begin as a relatively small agency but with significant powers, including the ability to file lawsuits, use eminent domain, issue bonds, and apply for federal and state funding. Its estimated annual budget of approximately $1.8 million will be funded by fees from the disposal of construction and demolition debris in state landfills.
The discussion regarding the land bank’s mission will continue, informed by conversations with municipal planners and the input of the yet-to-be-appointed executive director. According to Rep. Melanie Sachs, who sponsored the law, the authority can assist cities and towns in redeveloping both industrial sites and smaller residential properties, depending on their needs.
Another point of contention is how the agency should identify properties for redevelopment. Some believe it should proactively create its own list, while others think communities should alert the land bank to vacant properties based on their unique knowledge and needs.
Despite differing views, commissioners generally agree on certain goals, such as offering technical assistance to municipalities dealing with complex legal issues related to vacant properties and leveraging state and federal funding. The agency may initially serve a utility role to fulfill these objectives.
In summary, the establishment of the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority is a significant step toward addressing the issue of vacant properties in Maine. The mission and approach of the agency are under discussion, with an emphasis on assisting municipalities and leveraging available resources to meet their unique redevelopment needs.
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DISCLAIMER: Author is under many pen names. This article was rewritten based on these links: Maine’s new ‘land bank’ for vacant properties is still debating its mission (bangordailynews.com)
