Land Banks and Commercial Property Revitalization: Examples from Youngstown

Land Banks and Commercial Property Revitalization: Examples from Youngstown, Ohio 

Reactivating vacant commercial properties is an opportunity for older industrial cities to support local entrepreneurs, meet community needs for shopping and gathering, and cultivate a feeling that the community has a bright future. But commercial revitalization can be daunting for land banks used to dealing with residential properties.  

That’s where strong local partnerships and creativity comes in. Join Deb Flora, Executive Director of the Mahoning County Land Bank, to hear the story of how a once-vacant block on Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown, Ohio became a poster child of commercial revitalization and is now home to a coffee shop that serves and uplifts the community. 

Join this webinar to: 

• Hear how land banks can partner with local governments, nonprofits, and community stakeholders to revitalize vacant commercial spaces; 

• Explore the impact of creative reuse of vacant and abandoned properties; and 

• Discover strategies to support community ownership and small business development. 

Speaker: 

• Debora Flora, Executive Director, Mahoning County Land Bank