Who We Are

Clark County Land Reutilization Corp., commonly known as the Land Bank, quasi-governmental organization, formed in 2014, with the mission to restore value to the community by acquiring, developing, and selling vacant and abandoned properties in cooperation with stakeholders who value responsible land ownership.



In addition to demolition the Land Bank has been instrumental in helping in vacant and blighted land acquisition and revitalization. The Land Bank has transferred more than 250 side-lots to neighborhood partners that have turned their side-lots into beautiful community gardens or play space for neighborhood children. Public sector and private sector organizations have also been helped with vacant land acquisition through the Land Bank. Examples include the Mad River Gorge Rock Wall Park, now owned by the Clark County Park District. A portion of the park was once a vacant property the Land Bank transferred to the Park District. Another example of the Land Bank’s work throughout the City is the Euclid Sunflower Field. A multi-department effort to rejuvenate a once blighted industrial building, the Sunflower field has over 25,000 plants. The Land Bank partnered with Keeping Clark County Beautiful, National Trails Parks and Recreation Division and the City of Springfield to facilitate the planting and maintenance of the field.

Our Mission

Improving our community by returning blighted and vacant properties to a productive use

Clark County Land Reutilization Corporation (Land Bank) was incorporated in May of 2014. The Board contracted with the Clark County Community and Economic Development Department to act as the administrative agency for the Land Bank. Shortly thereafter, it acquired the Neighborhood Initiative Program (NIP) funding from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) to acquire property, demolish the single-family, residential structures, and then "green" the lots.

Since May of 2014 the Land Bank has been awarded more than 2 million dollars in NIP funding. In the summer of 2019 the Land Bank completed its 132nd and final demolition under NIP. In addition to demolition the Land Bank takes particular care in the greening process. Often times meeting the neighbors to get input on what should take place on the property after demolitions. You can find pictures throughout our web-site showcasing our greening projects.

Our Board & Staff

GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE

Melanie Flax Wilt

Board Chair

Pamela Littlejohn

Vice Board Chair

Charles Swaney

Director

Lowell McGlothin

Director

Rob Rue

Director

Ethan Harris

Executive Director

Nancy Sowards

Fiscal Officer

Anette Pequignot

Secretary to the Board

Kara Van Zant

Development Project Coordinator

J. Alex Dietz

Site Development Specialist 

Dirk Lackovich-Van Gorp

Project Coordinator

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Land Bank?
County land banks are quasi-governmental nonprofit community improvement corporations tasked with the acquisition of blighted, foreclosed, vacant, and other non-performing property in order to clear titles and find strategic reuses of the property.
How is a Land Bank funded?
The Clark County Land Bank is funded through three main streams of revenue. The primary source of funding for the Land Bank is Delinquent Tax and Assessment Collection, or DTAC. This particular funding results from the addition of penalty and interest on collected delinquent real estate taxes, so very little, if any, primary-levied taxes are used to fund the operations of the Land Bank. The second funding source is through the sale of properties. Finally, the land bank accepts donations, which are tax-deductible.
Where is your work conducted?
The Clark County Land Bank operates throughout the entire geographic area of Clark County including the City of Springfield and the City of New Carlisle.
How do I acquire a property through the Land Bank?
All properties that are owned by the Land Bank currently, or are forfeited to the state, are available for acquisition to those interested. View our Disposition Policy under "Policies and Procedures" for the full process, or contact Kara Van Zant at kvanzant@clarkcountyohio.gov.