The Network's 2nd Community Leadership Institute, was held on Thursday, September 27 and Friday, September 28 at the Trenton Marriott Downtown. The CLI, attended by over 100 city officials and community leaders from 17 municipalities across the state, brought together experts and practitioners to explore strategies, policies, and systems to help acquire and repurpose problem properties and incorporate them into thriving communities.   

Attending this year's CLI were municipal officials and community developers from: Elizabeth, Newark, Jersey City, Millville, East Orange, Irvington, Camden, Perth Amboy, Paterson, Asbury Park, Bridgeton, Plainfield, Trenton, Orange, New Brunswick, Roselle and Hillside. Over the span of two days, participants took part in an agenda that included developing effective strategies for getting private owners to fix up their properties, taking control of neglected properties for redevelopment, creative funding options, creating better data tracking systems, and partnering with community members on neighborhood-specific strategies.

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EVENT MATERIALS:

Program

Event Photos

Funding Sources to Help Restore Problem Properties & Rebuild Neighborhoods & Downtowns

Vacant Properties 101

Holding Owners Accountable I: Building a Strategic Code Enforcement System

Holding Owners Accountable II: The Nuts and Bolts of Using NJ's Legal Tools - Jersey City

Holding Owners Accountable II: The Nuts and Bolts of Using NJ's Legal Tool - City of Newark

Taking Control: Effective Property Acquisition Strategies

Being a Good Steward: Successfully Managing a Public Property Inventory - Ingham County Land Bank

Being a Good Steward: Successfully Managing a Public Property Inventory - New Kensington CDC

General Session: Reusing Properties to Build Stronger Communities

READING MATERIALS:

Fairmount Collaborative Proposal

VIDEOS:

Plenary Panel Presentation - Jennifer Leonard, Center for Community Progress

Plenary Panel Presentation - The Honorable Wayne Smith, mayor of the City of Irvington

Plenary Panel Presentation - The Honorable Mila Jasey, Assemblywoman 27th LD