Anna Thomas

A vacant lot is a property without a standing structure. There are over 2000 neglected vacant lots in Providence. Rats, large amounts of litter and solid waste, and criminal activity are all problems associated with vacant lots. I examined how Providence can move its vacant lots into productive use by looking at current policy and talking to stakeholders: including city officials, community leaders and residents, and a land speculator.

Although recent initiatives have made great strides in the area of vacant lot policy, there is still room for improvement through expansion of current programs and establishment of long-term solutions. In order to ensure that vacant lots will be maintained, and eventually absorbed, the city of Providence needs to allow for the transfer of ownership of vacant lots from neglectful owners to community residents with a vested interest in the condition of a property.

The City's primary vacant lot policy -- the Special Vacant Land Program -- has inadequate marketing and only pertains to a select group of owner occupants who live adjacent to vacant lots. This program can be expanded and improved to include a wider range of residents more efficiently. City data collection and ordinances can be changed to record trends and ensure that a policy framework exists that allows for community residents to identify and pursue vacant lots of interest. Additionally, community organizations could adopt a community land trust model, or create new land trusts, to establish a separate system to disseminate information, improve maintenance, and transfer ownership.