Treasurer Burke Initiating Creation of County Land Bank

Medina County Treasurer John Burke announced at this week’s Medina County Commissioners meeting that he will prepare and file incorporation papers with the State of Ohio to create a Medina County Land Revitalization Corporation (LRC). Commonly referred to as a land bank or LRC, Ohio law allows land banks to acquire vacant and abandoned properties through tax foreclosure and donations and return it to productive use.
 
According to Burke, by establishing a land bank, Medina County can take advantage of new grants offered for the first time by the State of Ohio through the Welcome Home Ohio Program. This grant program allows land banks to purchase, rehab, or build qualifying residential properties for income eligible residents. Additionally, there are nonrefundable tax credits made to land banks and eligible developers for qualifying rehabs and new construction once the property is sold. Burke noted “this is an Ohio initiative offered only to land banks; that could mean about $1 million in grants for Medina County to improve our housing and allow more residents to access affordable housing.”
 
Treasurer Burke explained he has closely observed the development of land banks in Ohio from inception in 2009 lead by former Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis and the County Treasurer’s Association of Ohio of which Burke is a member. “At that time, during the housing crisis, it provided a way to tackle the blight of abandoned and vacant homes in the big cities like Cleveland,” said Burke.
 
Burke explained that Medina County has never had similar blight. Last year he reported that the County only had 37 Prosecutor initiated tax delinquent property foreclosures which were sold at sheriff sale. Those properties not sold at sheriff sale go to the County Auditor to sell for the amount of tax delinquency or less. Burke reported there were only 4 properties in the last County Auditor sale. “Consequently, there are few opportunities here in Medina County for a land bank to do their normal property acquisition demolition and resale. But now Ohio has new opportunities for land banks to invest in affordable housing which is needed according to a recent county-wide housing survey” Burke said.
 
Treasurer Burke, Commissioner Steve Hambley, Economic Development Executive Director Bethany Dentler, and a task force of other community leaders have been meeting over the past few months to consider policies and a strategic plan for a land bank in Medina County. In response to Treasurer Burke’s announcement to proceed with filing for incorporation of a county land bank, the County Commissioners will hold a public hearing Tuesday March 5, 2024 at 9 am in the Commissioner’s meeting room on the 2nd floor of the county administration building.
 
For questions or more information, call the Medina County Treasurer’s office at 330.725.9748 or 330.725.9745.