Monticello, NY – The Sullivan County Land Bank is beginning a series of demolitions and rehabilitations of blighted properties in Monticello this week, with more to come in both the County seat and the Village of Liberty.
“Today’s kickoff marks a turning point in these villages and Sullivan County,” affirmed Freda Eisenberg, Planning Commissioner and chair of the Land Bank Board of Directors. “Starting with two properties on High Street in the Village of Monticello, we are demolishing eyesores and rehabbing other structures, in order to make these properties attractive to buyers who will use and maintain them.”
Originally advanced by the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Community Development and initially approved by the Sullivan County Legislature, the Sullivan County Land Bank Corporation was authorized by Empire State Development in November 2016 and officially incorporated by New York State in February 2017. It is the 19th land bank approved in New York State.
The Corporation’s mission is the lessening of the burdens of government by undertaking, promoting, and facilitating the return of vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties to productive use in order to eliminate the harms and liabilities caused by such properties and to combat community deterioration in the County. That includes real estate development and management, real estate project finance, and other community-based economic and human services development activities permissible under the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. The Corporation may contract with other foreclosing governmental units within the County to achieve these purposes. It may also partner with other local and regional entities working on housing and community revitalization.
In September, the Land Bank will host a Sullivan Housing Summit to bring organizations together to share insights and information, and foster collaborations.
The Land Bank will be demolishing structures on the following properties this season:
• 85 High Street, Monticello
• 44 High Street, Monticello
• 18 Woodcliff Avenue, Monticello
• 4 Washington Street, Monticello
• 9 Maple Lane, Monticello
• 25 Burton Avenue, Monticello
• 11 Balsam Drive, Liberty
• 5 Orchard Street, Liberty
• 237 South Main Street, Liberty
The Land Bank will be rehabilitating structures on the following properties this season:
• 7 Washington Street, Monticello
• 55 Park Ave, Monticello
• 53 Park Avenue, Monticello
• 9 Cross Street, Monticello
The current Board of the Land Bank includes Eisenberg, Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek, Sullivan County Treasurer Nancy Buck, District 9 Legislator Alan Sorensen, District 5 Legislator Terri Ward, District 8 Legislator Ira Steingart, Liberty Village Mayor Ron Stabak, and Granite Associates’ Jacquie Leventoff. The County Legislature is expected to soon appoint further members to represent the villages of Monticello and Liberty.
The Land Bank welcomes assistance from members with experience in real estate law, construction, finance, or community development projects who are willing to serve on the Board or in an advisory capacity. In particular, the nonprofit is looking for qualified vendors with which to partner on the renovation and demolition process, such as contractors, property maintenance, plumbers and electricians.
The Land Bank also seeks individuals and businesses interested in acquiring property for owner-occupied housing. An application is available at www.sullivancountylandbank.org.
Meetings of the Land Bank Board are open to the public, and agendas and minutes are posted on the website. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 12 at 1 p.m. inside the Government Center in Monticello.
For more information, visit www.sullivancountylandbank.org or contact 845-807-0527.