Community Engagement Update
We are excited to share some updates about our ongoing community engagement efforts.
Over the past few months, we've been working diligently to ensure that the Next Five aligns with community needs and desires.
In addition to our online community survey, we've hosted and attended 60 community engagement events including:
- Office Hours
- District Events
- Block Club Meetings
- City Council Meetings
- Department of Neighborhood Meetings
Focus groups and interviews have also been held with:
- Community Partners
- Past Structure Purchasers
- Infill Housing Developers
We look forward to continuing the journey of making our community better together!
Where you can find us
We will be attending at least 100 events during the next five process to learn more about what is important for you.
Join us at one of our upcoming community events to learn more about the Detoit Land Bank Authority, ask questions, and share your feedback.
Next Five Timeline
Check out where we are in the Next Five process.
Frequently Asked Questions
In 2022, DLBA recognized the need for both immediate changes and long-term strategy. With the support of Center for Community Progress, we developed a strategic framework which identified immediate steps from improvement and areas to explore during a strategic planning process. We have been working diligently on implementing the framework recommendations and are using it as a foundation for Next Five.
A strategic plan is a tool to define and share an organization’s direction. It includes vision and mission statements, long-term goals, and the steps needed to achieve those goals. Strategic plans help organizations make informed decisions about policies, programming, and budgets. DLBA’s inventory is changing – both in terms of what we have (less structures, more lots) and what we’re receiving (less properties, less structures). We also know we need to be more transparent and accountable, and this plan will set goals and metrics for us to track and share over the next five years.
Everyone who is interested! A team of DLBA staff are leading this process, along with a consultant team comprised of Center for Community Progress and JFM Consulting The Detroit Land Bank Authority has pulled together an Advisory Panel of fifteen local and regional leaders and six internal working groups and will be conducting dozens of focus groups and interviews, in addition to the 100 community events previously mentioned..
Name | Title | Department/Organization |
---|---|---|
Alexa Busch | Program Officer | The Kresge Foundation |
Chase Cantrell | Executive Director | Building Community Value |
Margi Dewar | Professor Emerita | University of Michigan |
Michael Freeman | Executive Director | Genesee County Land Bank |
Karen Gage | Design & Development Innovation Director | City of Detroit, Planning & Development Dept. |
Erinn Harris | Deputy Director | City of Detroit, Department of Neighborhoods |
Sarah Hayosh | Director of Land Use and Sustainability | Detroit Future City |
Keegan Mahoney | Program Director | City of Detroit, Housing & Revitalization Department |
Dara O'Byrne | Deputy Director | City of Detroit, Planning & Development Dept. |
Madhavi Reddy | Director | Community Development Advocates of Detroit |
Tepfirah (Tee) Rushdan | Director of Urban Agriculture | City of Detroit |
Sarida Scott | Professor & Director | University of Detroit Mercy |
Jai Singletary | Policy Analyst | Office of Council President Pro Tempore |
Mike Smith | Senior Vice President, Neighborhoods & Development Officer |
Invest Detroit |
The Detroit Land Bank Authority is the largest property owner in Detroit and has properties located throughout the city. The choices DLBA makes about how to sell and reuse those properties will impact your neighborhood.
A land bank is a public entity specially designed to return vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties to a productive use according to community goals. To learn more about land banks, visit Community Progress’s Land Bank Resource Center.