Mode of Program Participation
Community Organizing and Educational Programming
Participation Type
Workshop
Session Title
Dilapidated Buildings in Appalachia: Best Practices in Community Responses
Session Abstract or Summary
Allison Eckman, AmeriCorps VISTA, and Erica Hetzel, Office Manager, of the Land Use & Sustainable Development Law Clinic at the West Virginia University College of Law propose to present on and hold a Q&A session on tools that communities can use to address dilapidated buildings in Appalachia.
As many as 1 in 16 properties in West Virginia are vacant or abandoned. Dilapidated properties throughout Appalachia deter economic development, increase crime, and create safety hazards. At the same time, these properties can represent an opportunity for community revitalization. We will examine the prevalence of dilapidated buildings throughout Appalachia and address the desire that many communities have to tackle neglected properties, using common themes that have proved effective in advancing certain strategies, such as being proactive, collaborating and forming partnerships, regionalism, and holistic, community-based approaches. We will describe tools that have proven to be useful in West Virginia, encourage discussion on whether similar tools are effectively being utilized in other Appalachian states or could be utilized, and present success stories from various communities in West Virginia. While we recognize that there is no “one size fits all” approach to remedy the issue of dilapidated properties, addressing this challenge across Appalachia is a step towards regional economic development and community revitalization.
Presentation #1 Title
Dilapidated Buildings in Appalachia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Allison Eckman, AmeriCorps VISTA, and Erica Hetzel, Office Manager, of the Land Use & Sustainable Development Law Clinic at the West Virginia University College of Law propose to present on and hold a Q&A session on tools that communities can use to address dilapidated buildings in Appalachia. As many as 1 in 16 properties in West Virginia are vacant or abandoned. Dilapidated properties throughout Appalachia deter economic development, increase crime, and create safety hazards. At the same time, these properties can represent an opportunity for community revitalization. We will examine the prevalence of dilapidated buildings throughout Appalachia and address the desire that many communities have to tackle neglected properties, using common themes that have proved effective in advancing certain strategies, such as being proactive, collaborating and forming partnerships, regionalism, and holistic, community-based approaches. We will describe tools that have proven to be useful in West Virginia, encourage discussion on whether similar tools are effectively being utilized in other Appalachian states or could be utilized, and present success stories from various communities in West Virginia. While we recognize that there is no “one size fits all” approach to remedy the issue of dilapidated properties, addressing this challenge across Appalachia is a step towards regional economic development and community revitalization.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Allison Eckman is an AmeriCorps VISTA serving at the Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic at the West Virginia University College of Law.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Erica Hetzel is the Office Manager for the Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic.
Dilapidated Buildings in Appalachia
Allison Eckman, AmeriCorps VISTA, and Erica Hetzel, Office Manager, of the Land Use & Sustainable Development Law Clinic at the West Virginia University College of Law propose to present on and hold a Q&A session on tools that communities can use to address dilapidated buildings in Appalachia. As many as 1 in 16 properties in West Virginia are vacant or abandoned. Dilapidated properties throughout Appalachia deter economic development, increase crime, and create safety hazards. At the same time, these properties can represent an opportunity for community revitalization. We will examine the prevalence of dilapidated buildings throughout Appalachia and address the desire that many communities have to tackle neglected properties, using common themes that have proved effective in advancing certain strategies, such as being proactive, collaborating and forming partnerships, regionalism, and holistic, community-based approaches. We will describe tools that have proven to be useful in West Virginia, encourage discussion on whether similar tools are effectively being utilized in other Appalachian states or could be utilized, and present success stories from various communities in West Virginia. While we recognize that there is no “one size fits all” approach to remedy the issue of dilapidated properties, addressing this challenge across Appalachia is a step towards regional economic development and community revitalization.
