City applies for land bank designation

KINGSTON, N.Y. » Two years after lawmakers approved the formation of a Kingston land bank, the city is formally applying to the state for such designation.

During a meeting Tuesday, the Common Council voted 8-0 to authorize the city to apply for official land bank designation from the Empire State Development Corporation.

The land bank would help the city deal with abandoned, dilapidated or condemned properties.

The resolution also states that the five-member interim Board of Directors will remain in place until the full complement of nine directors can be selected.

Alderwoman Nina Dawson, D-Ward 4, was absent from the council meeting.

Council members in July 2015 voted to take the steps necessary to form the local land bank, but it was later determined additional language was required for the resolution that was to be submitted with the city’s application to the state. The application was also delayed because the interim board of the land bank was not appointed until more than a year later.

The process began under the administration of former Mayor Shayne Gallo, but it was current Mayor Steve Noble who appointed the interim board.

Since its appointment, though, the interim board has created by-laws to govern the land bank agency.

“The interim board has created the by-laws and set the structure for the final board make up of the Kingston City Land Bank, Inc.,” Mayor Steve Noble said in an email Friday. “Corporation counsel is reviewing our application now so we can proceed with submission.” He said the city is also seeking not-for-profit status with the Department of State for the land bank.

“While the overall process in establishing this Land Bank has been extensive, I am confident that the Kingston City Land Bank will soon prove to be an excellent

resource for our community,” Noble said.

The land bank would mainly alleviate the burden the city has of carrying abandoned, dilapidated or condemned properties it has seized for nonpayment of taxes, Brenna Robinson, the director of the city’s Office of Economic and Community Development, has

said. It would also provide an opportunity for the city to acquire properties approaching tax foreclosure or to create more green space, among other options, she has said.

Once properties are turned over to the land bank, the city would have no further control over them.

The land bank also would have the ability to invest money in the properties to make them more attractive to potential buyers.