Session 3 – Unlocking Vacant Lots and Forgotten Liens to Accomplish Strategic Goals
Vacant land, abandoned buildings and blighted areas are problems that plague every community. In this session, you’ll learn how you can start turning those problems into real opportunities using strategies that cities across the state are using. This panel discussion will feature real-life examples and success stories from experts in code enforcement and neighborhood affairs. You’ll leave with tools you can put to work immediately!
Turn This
Into This
700 Phoenix Avenue – Now for Sale $249,900
Before Photo: After City Cleaned up yard and Junk. House boarded up.
After Photo: Court/Foreclosure Sale. Remodeled and now for Sale.
Before Photo: Rear yard, after City cleanup and Securing Structure
After Photo: Rear yard with new
fencing etc.
CODE ENFORCEMENT IS YOUR MOST (OVERLOOKED) VALUABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT,
AND
MANAGEMENT TOOL!
JUST HOW BIG IS THE PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY?
Hon. Rick Kriseman
Former Mayor City of St. Petersburg
(2014-2021)
James Corbett
Neighborhood Affairs Administrator
City of St Petersburg
St. Petersburg improves its housing stock by transforming vacant lots into affordable housing
Voluntary Compliance And Thoughtful Resolutions That Benefit The Community
Codes Compliance Assistance Department
VIEW PDF FILE
Our Goal
Tracey Schofield
Community Standards Division
City of Largo
Community Standards
Foreclosure program paying off in Largo's battle against blight
Effective Management is The Key to Community Success
Code Enforcement is a Powerful Economic Development and Community Engagement Tool But Elected Officials Need to Take a More Proactive Role in Using This Tool
- What is the total dollar amount of liens owed to the city?
- How many vacant lots and abandoned buildings exist in our city? (cross referenced with liens on them)
- How many open code cases do we have that have daily running fines and are not in compliance?
- How many open code cases do we have that are in compliance, but still have fines due?
- Do we have a process in place to address code cases that are either in compliance of not and still have fines due?
- Have we recorded a lien with the County Clerks Office for all cases that are still outstanding?
- Do we have a process in place, if we need to foreclose on a property? If not, why?
- Do we have a fine reduction process? If not, why not?
Other things to consider:
Effective July 1, 2021 Code Case Reporting has Declined DRAMATICALLY.
(This means your code employees have a lot more time to devote to practical resolutions.)
Your Key Takeaway: Get to Know and Understand YOUR Department
The Ultimate Goal: A More Consistent And Effective System In Place Statewide
MATT WEIDNER
Matthew Weidner
CLOSING ARGUMENT
