Vacant buildings threaten safety and lead to neighborhood disinvestment. At Lutheran Development Group, we return vacant buildings to community use.
The Need for Vacancy Intervention
LDG approaches vacancy as both a property problem and a neighborhood problem. We identify where intervention can have the greatest impact, stabilize properties before they deteriorate further, work with partners to address long-term vacancy, and ultimately return properties to productive use.
- Vacancy is concentrated in specific neighborhoods and blocks.
- Vacancy disproportionately impacts residents of those blocks.
- Vacant buildings undermine community health.
- Vacant buildings depress neighborhood property values.
- Vacant buildings burden city resources.
- Entire blocks destabilize when vacancy is left unchecked.
LDG’s Vacancy Strategy
Identification
Using data, mapping, and neighborhood input to prioritize properties.
We start by understanding where vacancy is having the greatest impact. Using property data, mapping, neighborhood knowledge, and input from residents and community partners, LDG identifies properties and blocks where intervention can make the greatest difference. We look beyond individual vacant buildings to understand patterns of vacancy, surrounding housing conditions, neighborhood investment, and opportunities to strengthen an entire block or area. This helps us focus our limited resources where they can have the greatest impact and where individual interventions can contribute to broader neighborhood stability.
Stabilization
Securing buildings to prevent further deterioration.
Once a property has been identified, we work to stop further deterioration and maintain it until a long-term solution is possible. Vacant buildings can quickly become more difficult and expensive to restore, while creating safety concerns and contributing to further disinvestment. LDG stabilizes properties by securing windows and doors, repairing roofs, tuckpointing deteriorated masonry, addressing drainage and other sources of water intrusion, and making other repairs needed to protect the building. We also regularly check on properties, maintain the grounds, mow yards, and address emerging issues before they become larger problems. Our goal is to prevent today’s vacancy from becoming tomorrow’s demolition and preserve properties as opportunities for future housing or community use.
Accountability
Working with partners to address negligent ownership.
Vacancy is often the result of long-term neglect, absentee ownership, or an owner who is unable or unwilling to maintain a property. LDG works with neighborhood organizations, government agencies, legal partners, and property owners to address these challenges and pursue a path toward responsible ownership. This may include communicating with owners, connecting properties with appropriate partners or resources, and exploring opportunities for acquisition when a property cannot be returned to productive use by its current owner. Our goal is to ensure vacant properties do not remain a burden on the surrounding neighborhood and that there is a clear path to productive reuse.
Redevelopment
Transitioning properties into housing or community assets.
The ultimate goal is to return vacant properties to productive use. LDG renovates vacant buildings and develops vacant lots into housing and community assets that fit the character and needs of the surrounding neighborhood. Depending on the property and the needs of the community, redevelopment may create affordable apartments, attainable homeownership opportunities, or spaces that support community building. By bringing properties back into use, we replace vacancy with places where people can live, work, build relationships, and contribute to a stronger neighborhood.
Historic District Expansion
Greater Dutchtown’s historic architecture is one of its greatest assets. We work to preserve this character by promoting the use of historic tax credits, which allow homeowners and developers to receive a tax benefit from historic renovation costs. LDG works to expand historic district boundaries to make these credits available to more of the neighborhood. These districts require detailed documentation of every property to demonstrate historic significance and cohesion.
Historic tax credits can change the math of redevelopment, making projects possible that otherwise are too costly to pursue. They can benefit homeowners renovating their properties, developers restoring vacant buildings, and nonprofits investing in community assets. By expanding access to these credits, LDG helps make the preservation and reuse of Greater Dutchtown’s historic buildings more financially feasible while encouraging continued investment in the neighborhood.