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1. What is a land bank?

A land bank is a government entity focused on the conversion of vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties into productive use.

2. What is the purpose of the Jonesboro land bank and the Jonesboro Land Bank Commission?

The purpose of the Commission is to reverse urban blight, increase homeownership and the stability of property values, provide affordable housing, improve the health and safety of neighborhoods within the City of Jonesboro, and maintain the architectural fabric of the community.

3. How many land banks are operating throughout the country?

There are approximately 170 land banks operating throughout the country.  There are two operating in Arkansas – Little Rock and Jonesboro.

4. What policies govern the acquisition of properties into the land bank inventory?

• Proposal and request by nonprofits that identify specific properties for acquisition.
• Properties that are subject to a City lien and can be foreclosed on by the City.
• Proposals and request by government entities.
• Proposals and request by private developers.
• Input from citizens and neighborhoods.
• Properties that are considered vacant and abandoned.
• Properties that are delinquent on their ad-valorem real property taxes.
• Properties that are environmentally contaminated and have secured funds for cleanup.
• Properties that are available through donation by a private owner.
• Properties that are bank foreclosed.
• Properties that will allow for the creation of additional greenspace.
• Improved properties that are the subject to an existing order for demolition.
• Non-conforming, undevelopable vacant properties.
• Properties that would form a part of a contiguous or scattered land assemblage development plan.
• Properties that will result in planned development that benefits the community. 

5. What are the priorities concerning the disposition of properties from the land bank inventory?

• Develop affordable housing
• Support homeownership
• Market rate housing development
• Social service providers
• Side lots
• Development of public green space (parks and gardens)
• Retail and commercial development
• Multi-family rental development
• Tax-exempt institutions
• Development of rental housing
• Public uses and buildings
• Planned Unit Development (ownership)
• Historic preservation

6. Priorities as to who purchases property from the land bank:

• Individual homeowners
• Non-profit developers
• Educational institutions
• Government
• Tax-exempt institutions
• For-profit residential developers
• Multi-lot developers
• Corporations, businesses, retail, etc.
• Side lot candidates

7. How does the land bank acquire property for the land bank inventory?

There are four main ways to bring property into the land bank:

• Property Donations
• Lien/Tax Foreclosures
• Money from the city’s general fund
• Money received from grants

8. Can I attend Commission meetings?

Yes, all Land Bank meetings are open to the public.  The Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 12:00 pm in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Center at 300 S. Church Street in Jonesboro.  If you have questions, feel free to contact us by phone at 870-336-7291 or via email at derrel.smith2@jonesboro.org

9. Who are the current land bank commissioners?

• Dr. Bob Warner, Chair – Represents Ward 1
• James Hollywood, Vice Chair – Represents Ward 2
• James McLeod – Represents Ward 1
• Ray Osment – Represents Ward 3
• Gabe Roberts – Represents Ward 3
• Jeremy Moore – Represents Ward 4
• Jeffrey Herndon – Represents Ward 5
• Dennis Zolper – Represents Ward 5
• Corey Mills – Represents Ward 6
• Derrel Smith – Director of Planning & Zoning 
• Ryan Robeson – Senior Planner 
• Heather Owens – Assistant City Attorney