MVOC discusses urgent need to develop vacant properties in Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative’s study of the city’s 62,569 parcels “reveals a severely challenging situation for our community and highlights the urgent need to develop comprehensive strategies for addressing vacant property.”

The study, released today, states 23,831 of those parcels, 31.51 percent, are empty. Youngstown’s rate in that category is more than twice the national average of 15.4 percent, according to the survey.

The study also states 3,246 structures in the city are vacant. That gives Youngstown a vacancy rate of 44.8 structures per 1,000 residents, a figure that is nearly 20 times the national average, the study states.

The survey states there’s a disinvestment and abandonment of structures in Youngstown despite “aggressive demolition activity” by the city in the past two years.

The study recommends the implementation of a Mahoning County land bank, an update of the city’s code enforcement policies and procedures — both are in the pipeline — as well as the adoption of a vacant property registration ordinance and establishing more formal partnerships with the community.

The MVOC is a community organizing group with a focus on improving the area’s core urban cities of Youngstown and Warren.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com