The City of Atlantic City has been selected as one of only two New Jersey municipalities to receive an Abandoned Property Rehabilitation Act (APRA) Scholarship from the Center for Community Progress valued at $30,000, providing the city with expert assistance and resources to address vacant, abandoned and deteriorated properties. The scholarship will provide up to 125 hours of technical assistance from national experts to help Atlantic City strengthen its approach to identifying, prioritizing and addressing problem properties.
The program focuses on two tools available through the APRA:
1. Creating and maintaining a Vacant Abandoned Properties List to systematically identify properties in need of attention.
2. A legal remedy that can allow a municipality to seek a court-appointed receiver to rehabilitate an abandoned property when an owner is unwilling to make necessary repairs.
“The city is currently in the process of revising its vacant abandoned property ordinance, and this scholarship will provide valuable assistance as we work to strengthen our approach,” said Dale Finch, City of Atlantic City Director of Licensing & Inspections. “Our goal is to address the challenges associated with vacant abandoned properties while developing programs that encourage redevelopment, occupancy and productive use of these properties. Ultimately, we want to reduce blight and create healthier neighborhoods throughout Atlantic City.”
In addition to technical assistance, the scholarship includes a two-day site visit focused on working with city staff, community partners and other stakeholders; a written memorandum outlining key takeaways and recommendations; and the opportunity for three city representatives to attend the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference in Pittsburgh next month. The only national event of its kind, the conference brings together more than 1,000 leaders from across the country to share ideas and strategies for revitalizing communities through workshops, educational sessions and neighborhood tours.
The city will also have opportunities to explore potential funding sources. The scholarship is supported by funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
