Recommendations for the Wayne County Land Bank

In January 2025, the Center for Community Progress partnered with the Wayne County Land Bank Corporation (WCLB) to review its policies and inventory, with a focus on “nontraditional” properties—parcels that are difficult to reuse or repurpose, such as landlocked lots, undersized parcels, and properties with environmental constraints. Using the City of Romulus as a representative case study, Community Progress conducted a site visit, met with local stakeholders, and analyzed policies and data to develop actionable recommendations.

WCLB is one of Michigan’s largest land banks, serving all 43 municipalities in Wayne County and holding title to over 1,000 properties. About 20 percent of its inventory is considered “stuck” due to physical barriers or restrictive land use conditions. In Romulus specifically, 136 WCLB-owned parcels—most held for five years or more—include lots subject to FAA restrictions and landlocked properties with little development potential.

The memo outlines 12 recommendations for the WCLB to improve disposition of these challenging properties, strengthen partnerships, and align operations with broader goals for housing, sustainability, and economic development. Key recommendations include:

• Transfer landlocked and partial parcels at no or low cost to adjacent property owners, covering related costs like surveys and parcel combinations to incentivize acceptance.
• Use WCLB tools to support County goals, such as coordinating surplus property management, assembling land for green infrastructure, and supporting affordable housing development.
• Partner more closely with municipalities, including Romulus, to support neighborhood planning in FAA-restricted areas and provide project development support.
• Reconsider current ROR acquisition practices, especially those involving occupied properties, due to legal risks and potential community harm. Instead, WCLB should explore approaches like Detroit’s Make it Home program to support renter-to-homeowner transitions.
• Continue and expand home repair programs to stabilize neighborhoods and support existing homeowners.
• Update and consolidate the WCLB’s policies, incorporating past board resolutions, aligning with current values, and simplifying language for public accessibility.
• Publish policies online to increase transparency and public understanding.
• Formalize County partnerships with clear agreements and compensation for services provided.
• Diversify revenue strategies beyond ROR, including tax capture on redevelopment projects, strategic acquisitions, and philanthropic support.

The memo also offers several considerations for the City of Romulus, including leading a community-driven planning process for FAA-restricted neighborhoods, exploring new home repair funding strategies, updating its vacant property ordinance, and investing in placemaking efforts to strengthen neighborhood identity.

Community Progress is grateful for the collaboration with WCLB and the City of Romulus and remains available as a resource. These findings offer a roadmap for improving property reuse and aligning land bank practices with community-centered goals across Wayne County.

Download the memo »