Greening Vacant Properties
Join EPA’s Smart Growth Program for a webinar on how Detroit organizations have moved from plans to action in the revitalization of vacant properties.
Recent news headlines focus on plans to stabilize neighborhoods and commercial districts in Detroit that are stressed by high rates of vacancy. In many neighborhoods, the depressed real estate market does not permit traditional economic development, so local organizations need to be creative in repurposing vacant properties for different uses. This webinar will focus on how several organizations are starting to convert vacant land into productive use in Detroit. We will discuss:
- How strategic and comprehensive land use reform can lead to innovation transformation in neighborhoods. Steps to broadly transform vacant properties may be applicable in other Legacy Cities that have neighborhood challenges similar to Detroit’s.
- How long-term reuse can be facilitated through neighborhood-scale improvements in a process driven by local residents. Neighborhoods with the most vacant land face unique challenges, but solutions can result in amenities that create a better quality of life for existing residents.
- Lessons from a network of urban gardens and farms. Best practices for business planning and site planning will be highlighted, along with additional resources for aspiring urban gardening organizations.
Presenters
- Dan Kinkead, Director of Projects, Detroit Future City
- Erin Kelly, Program Manager, Detroit Future City
- Maggie Desantis, President/CEO, Warren/Conner Development Coalition
- Jackie Bejma, Executive Director, Land Assembly for Neighborhood Development
- Ashley Atkinson, Co-Director, Keep Growing Detroit
- Jon Grosshans, Community Planner, US EPA Region 5
Who Should Attend
Planners; community leaders; state, local, and federal government staff; academics; researchers; and others interested in helping communities reuse vacant land