Newark's Vacant Lot Fire Sale Is Not Neighborhood Stabilization

I think anything to create a positive buzz is a good thing, and this fire sale of vacant lots in Newark certainly falls into that category, but if you know the lay of the land there (and I work in a lot of these neighborhoods) you'll know that there needs to be critical mass to generate vibrancy and neighborhood continuity here. This effort by the city, while valiant, isn't urban planning -- it's not even market-based "urban renewal." The neighborhoods where many of the lots are located are so much in need. I hope this makes a dent, but I also hope the city has much better policy approach to boosting its communities.

For several years, I worked closely with the Essex County Community Land Trust, a nonprofit composed of residents, neighborhood associations, small businesses, etc. that basically owns the land underneath a home (the home belongs to the homeowner) to ensure affordability in perpetuity (usually 99 years) so properties are not subject to vultures. The CLT also provides the critical mass necessary for keeping blocks, and perhaps entire neighborhoods, from falling into disrepair. You need critical mass to save these neighborhoods. It would have been nice if the city could arrange with a CLT to manage these lots for sale.

Finally, another, and perhaps most important way to create thriving, populated neighborhoods - any neighborhood - is to reinvest in the city's public schools, and particularly the neighborhood schools in the hardest-hit neighborhoods. Given a "school choice," many parents send their child to schools in safer neighborhoods, but what that does is drain the already underserved neighborhoods, perpetuates socio-economic divides, and worsens imbalance in this city's delicate socio-economic infrastructure. Remember, New Jersey is among the most segregated states in the Union -- we need to replenish resources in the hardest-hit communities, not relocate them.

Resources

Land for $1,000: Homeowner hopefuls flock to Newark Valentines Day Sale, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, February 14, 2015

Operation Neighborhood Recovery, Shelterforce, Spring 2009

Essex Community Land Trust

Newark politicians react to 'One Newark' open enrollment process, Star-Ledger, August 21, 2014

The most segregated schools may not be in the states you’d expect, Washington Post, May 15, 2014