Urban Gardens and “Lots of Potential” Carrie Baniszewski Land Bank Manager City of Indianapolis April 4 th, 2011

Indy Land Bank Purchases vacant and abandoned property from the Marion County tax sale Maintains and prepares properties for sale to buyers who will redevelop the properties Current Land Bank 1400 Approximately half of the properties are vacant lots

Urban Garden Program Launched in June of 2010 Program is managed by the City’s Office of Sustainability Partnered with Indy Land Bank to provide vacant land at no cost to cititzens interested in urban gardening One pilot garden in to date we have 7 new agreements approved and at least twice as many applicants waiting to be processed

Cross departmental partnership Office of Sustainability Markets and educates about the program Reviews applications and makes decisions on which applicants are qualified for the program Set parameters and standards for licensees Indy Land Bank Has pledged to make 10% of our vacant lots available to the program Continues with monthly inspections of property to insure the property is remaining complaint with City code Maintains paperwork for each lot being used in the program.

Application and Agreement In application gardener must provide: – Project description – Project timeline – Previous experience – Plan for providing water to the garden – Plan for financing – Plan for surplus produce In License gardener agrees to: – Maintain the property year round – Not use inorganic fetilizer, pesticides or herbicides – Provide an annual report regarding the state of the plot

Safe Soil Issues Office of Sustainability will educate licensees on options for free or affordable soil testing Recommended solution is to either completely replace the current soil or to erect raised beds

Rebuilding the Wall Garden NPO with a mission to “stabilize and empower low- income families by renovating vacant inner city properties and giving the families the opportunity for homeownership” Involving student volunteers from the local high school to care for the garden Will use the produce for their feeding programs for the homeless They will also be planting flowers and plants along the sidewalks and alleys to help beautify the neighborhood

“Lots of Potential” Borrowed from Philadelphia’s Vacant Lot Management Program

Basic Package Erect simple post and rail fencing around vacant lots Plant trees behind lots Curbs illegal dumping Raises surrounding property values Makes the lot more appealing to developers/investors Creates a temporary green space that the neighborhood can utilize

Upgraded package Used as a temporary solution for vacant lots created by massive demolition/deconstruction efforts Each lot has a door erected in lot to represent the home that used to occupy the lot The door will be painted by local artists, neighbors, students, etc Door symbolizes not only what was once there but the possibilities of what could be

“Lots of Potential” is a partnership with the City and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Lots will become Public Art When the lot is redeveloped we hope to auction the door and share proceeds with artist

Carrie Baniszewski Indy Land Bank Manager