Community Land Partnership (CLP) Framework
Problem Statement
Across the United States, a significant amount of local, state, and federal government-owned land and property sits vacant, abandoned, or underutilized, especially in communities hardest by de-industrialization.
This situation leads to several interconnected issues:
- Inefficient use of public assets, resulting in unnecessary maintenance costs and lost potential for public benefit.
- Degradation of neighborhoods due to neglected properties, potentially increasing crime rates and reducing property values.
- Missed opportunities for community-driven development, economic growth, and social cohesion.
- Lack of accessible spaces for community activities, urban agriculture, affordable housing, and local business incubation.
- Disconnect between government resources and community needs, particularly in underserved areas.
Simultaneously, many communities face shortages of affordable housing, green spaces, and economic opportunities. The current systems for managing public land often lack the flexibility and direct community involvement or benefit.
The CLP Program seeks to empower members of the community to utilize vacant or underutilized spaces, align the community interest with their personal incentives by providing them shared, direct financial stake in their endeavors, and create a sustainable model for shared land use that benefits both government entities and local communities.
1. Purpose
To repurpose abandoned or underutilized government land and property for community benefit while maintaining public ownership.
2. Eligibility
- Properties: Vacant lots, unused buildings, underutilized parks or recreational areas
- Participants: Local residents, community organizations, small businesses
3. Program Structure
3.1 Identification and Assessment
- Create an inventory of eligible properties
- Assess suitability for various uses (agriculture, recreation, housing, etc.)
- Conduct environmental and safety evaluations
3.2 Community Engagement
- Host town halls to gather input on potential uses
- Form local advisory committees for each property
- Develop online platforms for ongoing community feedback
3.3 Application Process
- Open application periods for individuals or groups to propose projects
- Require detailed plans including use, maintenance, and community benefit
- Prioritize projects with broad community support
3.4 Lease Agreements
- Offer long-term leases (5-20 years) at nominal rates
- Include performance clauses tied to community benefit metrics
- Require regular reporting and allow for community oversight
3.5 Support and Resources
- Provide technical assistance for project development
- Offer grants or low-interest loans for initial setup costs
- Facilitate partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits
4. Potential Uses
- Community gardens and urban farms
- Affordable housing developments
- Public art spaces and cultural centers
- Recreational areas (playgrounds, sports facilities)
- Small business incubators
- Educational facilities (workshops, training centers)
- Green energy projects (solar farms, wind turbines)
- Anything the community deems desirable.
5. Government Responsibilities
- Maintain ownership and oversee lease compliance
- Provide basic infrastructure (water access, electricity)
- Ensure safety and environmental standards are met
- Facilitate inter-agency cooperation for streamlined management
6. Community Responsibilities
- Maintain the property as per agreement
- Provide regular reports on usage and community impact
- Ensure open access to the community as stipulated in the lease
- Participate in periodic reviews and community feedback sessions
7. Benefit Sharing
- Implement profit-sharing models for revenue-generating projects, providing flexibility for successful partners to expand and operate with minimal regulatory burden.
- Reinvest a portion of revenues into community development funds.
- Offer tax incentives or credits for participating businesses.
8. Evaluation and Adaptation
- Conduct annual reviews of each project’s performance
- Perform a comprehensive program evaluation every 5 years
- Adjust policies based on lessons learned and community feedback
9. Legal and Regulatory Framework
- Draft enabling legislation to authorize the program
- Develop clear guidelines for liability and insurance requirements
- Ensure compliance with local zoning laws and regulations
- Minimize regulatory burden, taking size and scale of project into account
10. Scaling and Replication
- Create a toolkit for other municipalities to adopt similar programs
- Establish a national network for knowledge sharing and best practices
- Explore potential for state or federal funding to expand the initiative