Pittsburgh will host the first national conference focusing on the potential assets of vacant properties.
Reclaiming Vacant Properties: Strategies for Rebuilding America’s Neighborhoods, takes place Sept. 24-25th at the
Omni William Penn Downtown.
Targeting community development professionals, civic leaders, and local and state governments, the conference brings together practitioners, policymakers and citizens who will discuss effective strategies for preventing and revitalizing vacant properties, ways to inspire new leadership and how redevelopment can spur economic growth. Also expected to attend are public safety and real estate professionals, developers and urban planners.
More than 540 people have registered for the event, which will feature 30 breakout sessions and 120 panelists. Mobile workshops will highlight the
Hill District,
East Liberty and
SouthSide Works.
“Pittsburgh offers the combination of circumstance and innovation. Like many cities, the question now is how can these properties be turned into assets, and what policies and systems need to be in place to do that. There are really great initiatives in Pennsylvania,” says Jennifer Leonard with
Smart Growth America. “Pittsburgh has a lot to offer, but is also a place that can benefit from the leaders and best practices we bring. On the innovation front, Pittsburgh seems to have a good supply of people who are thinking creatively about the issue, are passionate about their city and want to see it move forward stronger than ever.”
The panel
Innovative Solutions for Marketing Urban Properties, will showcase Pittsburgh’s own
Cool Space Locator.
Jim Rokakis, treasurer of Ohio’s Cuyahoga County, will address the national foreclosure crisis. A philanthropy session will look at how leading foundations, including
Rockefeller and
Surdna, have invested in rebuilding neighborhoods. For more information, go
here.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSource: Jennifer Leonard, Smart Growth America
Image courtesy of Smart Growth America