St. Joseph Land Bank
Application
Communications
Hi Josh,
Thanks again for your response and for pointing me to the City Code provisions — Section 2-1521 in particular reads like a perfect match for what we’re hoping to do.
We’re looking to demonstrate a model that brings together affordable housing, green infrastructure, workforce training, and community revitalization — with the broader goal of building resilient and sustainable neighborhoods from the ground up.
Here’s a rough outline of our intended use:
Housing: We'd like to build a code-compliant, energy-efficient home using renewable energy and sustainable construction methods. In some cases, we may pursue multi-unit housing — such as a 10–20 unit affordable condo or co-housing model — if the site and zoning allow.
Green Infrastructure & Community: We aim to integrate features like edible landscaping, community gardens, and shared green space to encourage healthy living, food access, and resident interaction. We'd also explore incorporating small solar installations and other renewable energy systems as part of the build.
Workforce Development: Construction would be carried out as part of a hands-on builder training program run by our nonprofit, Open Source Ecology. The goal is to provide meaningful construction experience to trainees while building homes of lasting value for the community.
This model touches many of the priorities outlined in Sec. 2-1521 — including affordable housing (ii), urban agriculture and healthy eating (vi), green spaces (vii), revitalization in LMI neighborhoods (i, iv), and returning unused land to beneficial use (ix).
We’d love to collaborate with the City and the Land Bank to pilot this on a donated or discounted lot, and to make St. Joseph a visible leader in community-centered revitalization.
I’d welcome any insights you can share based on your work with the Board, including next steps or guidance on best presenting this to them.
Best, Marcin
About
- https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQbffhwvkXNzwcmzWwfDQMTLzTn
- Bank property list - [1]. Example: [2]
- R4 zoning - https://chatgpt.com/c/684c6ea0-4c5c-8010-815b-9f174711c3ed
- What is city looking for? Here is a link to the City Code provisions that set the priorities for sales by the Land Bank. [3]. Can you give me a rough idea of what you have in mind for the property? I might be able to provide some insight based on my experience with the Board.
