In 2015, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, in collaboration with the City of Cleveland, surveyed every residential, commercial, and industrial parcel in the City – more than 158,854 parcels! That survey captured a snapshot of each property by ranking the current condition and indicating occupancy status. The study provided valuable data on the number of vacant and distressed properties in the City, aiding in the Cuyahoga Land Bank’s efforts to remove blight in Cleveland’s neighborhoods.
The agency hit the streets again in 2018 in 13 east side neighborhoods with 78,000 parcels it considered at-risk and measured the progress made in the three years prior. (Read the full report HERE.)
“Between the Cuyahoga Land Bank’s demolition efforts, private renovations and community development corporation (CDC) work, we’ve seen a significant reduction in the number of vacant and distressed properties,” says Isaac Robb, Manager of Urban Projects for Thriving Communities at the Land Conservancy. “Many neighborhood residents have also acquired vacant land next to their residences and repurposed those lots into gardening spots and play areas for children and pets.”
“Western Reserve Land Conservancy is doing important work performing property inventories,” says Gus Frangos, President and General Counsel for the Cuyahoga Land Bank. “This data makes it possible for communities and organizations like the Cuyahoga Land Bank to make informed decisions regarding the use of limited resources for demolition and rehabilitation.”
