To the Editor:
Jeremy Boyer ‘s fine article in the Post Standard, “Syracuse seeks legal path to resume seizing properties for back taxes” (Jan. 11, 2024), points out the new dilemma faced by the city administration and the Common Council in dealing with these often-dangerous properties. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling determined, in essence, that some cities across the country had to procedurally change their way of seizing tax-delinquent properties. As a city‚ it is critical that we continue to address the issue of abandoned and tax-delinquent properties in our neighborhoods.
Since its inception, the Greater Syracuse Land Bank has been doing just that by working in tandem with the city and its housing partners. It has helped rehabilitate over 1,200 properties, stabilizing many neighborhoods and adding substantial tax revenue to the city coffers. It has also demolished more than 500 properties deemed too far gone to save, allowing the city to assemble tax parcels and to work with entities like Home Headquarters and Empire Housing to build new homes. The adverse ruling by SCOTUS has stymied our efforts for nine months.
But legislation written in collaboration with members of the Common Council by the city’s Law Department and with input from the Land Bank staff will be voted on at today’s council meeting. If passed, it will allow us to continue our work to resurrect and to revitalize Syracuse. I urge my fellow councilors to support this legislation when it comes before the Common Council on Jan. 22.
Pat Hogan
2nd District City Councilor
Chair, Greater Syracuse Land Bank
Syracuse
