Mayor’s 30 day examination regarding eliminating vacant and abandoned properties

During Friday's press conference about the ARPA allocation, he announced the results of the 30 day examination the agencies did to come up with improvements to current systems and new initiatives to address vacant and abandoned properties. Part of the money he announced ($39million) will be used for blight elimination. The other strategies include advocating for a dedicated docket for our InRem and tax sale foreclosure cases (best tool to remove properties from private owners), overhaul of the permit office, and more.

I submitted significant recommendations to the working group. In my former role as Executive Director of the Community Development Network of Maryland, and all the years organizing in communities, has provided me with the expertise to address this issue head on. It is one of the major reasons I ran for office - to eliminate vacant and abandoned properties in our City by rehab or demolition.

My recommendations have to do with raising the money, providing the tools, and having the incentive to do this work in the areas that need it most. The Mayor's team integrated many of my suggestions, and I look forward to working with them and my colleagues on the rest. Here is my letter to the Mayor.