Jack BeVier on Rethinking Vacant Property Strategy in an Era of Private Reinvestment: An RVP Speaker Spotlight

Vacant property inventory is shrinking in cities like Baltimore as long-vacant buildings are becoming hot assets for private developers. At this year’s Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference, we’ll explore what’s driving this shift in the session Rethinking Vacant Property Strategy in an Era of Private Reinvestment. The discussion will dive deep into how private reinvestment is being financed and what it means for public sector revitalization strategies going forward.

We asked speaker Jack BeVier, Partner at The Dominion Group (comprised of Dominion Financial, Dominion Properties and Dominion Management), a few questions to give you a preview of the session and why he’s looking forward to RVP 2026.

What first got you interested in the work of community revitalization?

Dominion has been investing in Baltimore City since 2002. Through the past 24 years, we’ve seen all kinds of failures and successes in the private, nonprofit and public sectors. As long-term investors and residents of the city we invest in, we care deeply about making forward progress.

Why does your session topic matter right now—both for you and for the people who will be in the room? What’s happening in communities today that makes this session feel urgent?

We’ve often seen a misalignment of timing result in policy failure. By the time the public sector can be convinced and mobilize resources, the window of opportunity for a particular policy is often closed. The public dollars are spent with low impact. The market changes, and does not wait. Our hope is to shed light on what is happening in real time with respect to capital markets and the private sector investing climate. If efforts could be coordinated, we’ll see far greater impact from our precious public resources.

What made you want to be a part of RVP this year?

I’ve been inspired by the work that Michael Braverman has been doing on these subjects. It’s been my privilege to offer some private sector perspective to the research he is presenting. I’m encouraged to broaden the aperture of dialogue between the private sector and our nonprofit and public sector partners. We all want the same thing.

Want to hear more? Join us at the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference this September 22–25, 2026 in Pittsburgh. Check out Rethinking Vacant Property Strategy in an Era of Private Reinvestment and dozens of other sessions on every stage of the revitalization cycle.

Register for RVP 2026 »