ReBuild Ohio

ReBuild Ohio is a consortium of local government, nonprofit and civic organizations concerned with the debilitating effects of vacant and abandoned property in Ohio.

ReBuild Ohio's mission is to promote reclamation and redevelopment of vacant and abandoned property for economic vitality and enhanced quality of life in neighborhoods, towns and cities throughout the state. Its number one priority is to reduce the number of problem properties in the state by breaking the cycle of abandonment and removing barriers to the redevelopment of residential, commercial and industrial land.

Through research, education and advocacy, ReBuild Ohio seeks to improve existing code enforcement, land use, data information and other preventative tools, and to help develop new state and local policies for expeditious acquisition and disposition of vacant and abandoned properties.

ReBuild Ohio's Origins, Organization and Activities

ReBuild Ohio grew out of the 2005 Ohio Vacant Properties Forum, a conference designed to define and address the challenge of vacant and abandoned properties around the state. During the Forum, which was attended by over 260 people from around the state, participants recognized the need for continued concerted effort and action.

ReBuild Ohio's organizational and strategic efforts are directed by a steering committee and implemented by various standing committees. It also engages interested parties throughout the state through its listserv and regional meetings.

ReBuild Ohio's standing committees are:

• Communications: Disseminates information and coordinates public relations, marketing and outreach activities.
• Advocacy: Formulates a statewide policy reform agenda and identifies current legislative action and ways to support it through meeting with state legislators and other activities.
• Education: Develops and distributes a list of tools and best practices useful to municipal and county officials.
• Research/Study: Identifies research needs to support the organization's policy agenda, defines study scope and objectives, and oversees study execution.
• Funding: Identifies and develops funding options to support the studies, public participation, and other ReBuild Ohio activities.
• Ohio Vacant Properties Forum II: Plans the second statewide forum on vacant properties, tentatively scheduled for Spring, 2007.

Besides initiating and sustaining these grassroots and organizational activities, ReBuild Ohio intends to conduct two major studies in 2006 that will inform its policy agenda. The first study will document and quantify the vacancy and abandonment problem, and estimate the economic costs borne by neighborhoods as well as local governments. Using six to eight locations around the state as "snapshots," this study will identify quantitative and qualitative costs arising from vacant properties and draw conclusions about the properties' impacts on local markets, government services, and communities. The second study will be a "policy needs assessment," which will survey existing laws and tools that address problem properties in the state and recommend specific state policy reforms.

How Can You Get Involved?

Vacant and abandoned property causes, impacts and solutions may vary from location to location within the state. ReBuild Ohio is a statewide network and welcomes input on local issues, and assistance with outreach, education, and advocacy. Individuals and organizations can become involved by contacting ReBuild Ohio, volunteering to serve on a standing committee, and attending ReBuild Ohio local, regional or statewide meetings.

For more information, please contact Mary Helen Petrus in Cleveland at maryhelenATcndc2.org or Lavea Brachman in Columbus at lbrachmanATgreaterohio.org.

To subscribe to ReBuild Ohio's listserv, send an empty message with "subscribe" in the subject line to rebuild.ohio-subscribe@law.csuohio.edu.

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