A major goal of this project is to address land reform issues through data analysis, research, and policy recommendations. This section discusses some basic policy recommendations for putting information into action. Specifically, it highlights findings based on extensve research around a hot topic issue, the tax sale process, proposes strategy to address specific issues, and provides local and outside resources to further urban land reform goals.

In addition, a review of all relevant state and local law was performed to better understand the limitations and potential changes to current practices. Case studies were created as our recommendations borrow from lessons learned in other cities that have implemented plans for managing and redeveloping unutilized and abandoned properties.

The course of action taken towards urban land reform will depend on the nature of the problem, type of ownership, location, and possibly several other factors. Sometimes it is necessary to use a combination of tools to successfully rehabilitate problem properties. Partners will pursue strategies based on their respective roles in neighborhood revitalization efforts.

Other cities have targeted resources through the analysis of data and geography in order to maximize revitalizaiton efforts. It is our hope that the Urban Land Reform Initiative can serve as a starting point to inform citywide strategies for neighborhood investment.