Warren non-profit has meeting today for improving vacant lots

Staff report

WARREN

The nonprofit Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership is starting a new program, Lots to Love, which provides up to $6,000 worth of labor and materials to install a greening project on a newly vacant lot.

Eligible lots are those on which the Trumbull County Land Bank recently has completed blight elimination activities. The funding comes from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency’s Neighborhood Initiative Program.

Participants must have two people committed to maintaining the project after it is installed. TNP provides for the installation.

Another requirement is to gather neighborhood signatures showing that people support the idea. Churches, businesses, neighborhood associations and other community groups are encouraged to apply. TNP will help develop the project if desired.

Kent State University and Parsons The New School for Design also are partnering with TNP to bring some of their students to Warren to help generate ideas for vacant lots in the Garden District.

Interested parties are encouraged to attend a discussion with New School and Kent State students from 1 to 4 p.m. today at the YWCA, 375 North Park Ave.

Applicants must attend a workshop in February and March or meet individually with TNP staff. Workshop dates and times will be announced later.

The deadline to apply is March 31.