The “Woodfin Way” Is a document published by the city of Birmingham’s new mayor. It details the findings of the committee’s he empowered to recommend improvements for our city. One of Mayor Woodfin’s primary campaign platforms was revitalizing our cities neighborhoods. As an investor, and Birmingham native this excites me a lot. I was hungry for more details on his plans, so I dug into the report.
To be honest, it left me with more questions than answers. However, there are a lot of great ideas being put forward in this document. Personally, I think they are on the right track.
Here are some of my observations
- Putting People First – “It’s not just a slogan, but a strategy” – I love this! His administration understands that people are the key. Here are some examples of the “putting people first strategy”: upgrading the talent level in local government, building “public-private” partnership, and improving customer service. So much of the real estate business requires government involvement. Better relationships and talent can only benefit us.
- Customer service was high on the list of values – I’ve never seen a government explicitly focus on this. From what I’ve heard around town, City Hall is doing a great job executing on the promise of improved customer service.
- Housing stock economics – Much media coverage has been given to the new Mayor’s commitment to “fight blight.” His goal is to demolish 125 blighted structures by this Summer. However, the report also details a need for new housing stock production within city limits. They demonstrate an understanding that the greatest impact would be through concentrated new housing. Where does City Hall think the concentrated new housing stock should go? This is one of the large question’s I was left with. I’d certainly like to be investing alongside the city, and other investors. I’m in the “public-private” partnership spirit! I’ll be on the look out for further guidance on this subject.
- Data – The Birmingham City website has a link to some incredible data feeds. I think the data, and the city website are both new. They’re definitely worth checking out. You can expect me to dig through these resources in the coming months. I’m excited to bring you lots more interesting facts about what’s happening in our city!
Organize and fund the effort
- Neighborhood Development Fund – This is aimed at commercial spaces. According to the report, it’s
“for facade re-development & small business commercial revitalization incentives.” Upgrading the local commercial spaces in our neighborhoods could really incentivize new business activity. Again, I’m asking what part of the city will this money be going to? - Community Development Corporations – My understanding is that these would coordinate development in each of the cities 23 communities. They would also serve as a clearing house of information relating to development. I’d like to hear more about the plans for these organizations.
Tools to “fight blight”
- Utilize The Landbank – The Landbank has made a real effort to improve. They offer monthly classes on how to buy property through them. Over the last 6 months, they did such a good job drumming up interest that they were forced to shut their doors to new requests until July 2018. I think Mayor Woodfin see’s the potential in Landbank’s programs. If done right, it could be instrumental in revitalizing neighborhoods.
- Property tax penalties for blighted and abandoned properties – This would make it more expensive to abandon a property. As of now, it may only cost $300 per year in taxes to hold on to an abandoned house. We need to make it hurt. Abandoned houses rot away our city, and It’s got to stop. In addition, I think we should find a way to speed tax delinquent properties through the process of finding new, more responsible, owners. A message needs to be sent. If you want to leave your house to rot, that’s your right. But you better pay your taxes. If you don’t, a more responsible investor will pay them and take the property.
Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this, say hi to rob@robdrum.us
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