There has been a lot of talk in Emporia over the past 18 months or so about a shortage of available housing. But what about the high number of vacancies, both for commercial and residential land?
A recent study conducted by Emporia Main Street and Emporia State analytics intern Simon Stewart, using data from the city of Emporia and Lyon County, indicated 261 vacant properties and another 323 vacant lots. Main Street Director Casey Woods says it’s a study that makes sense, given the local housing climate.
Besides different potential housing projects already announced near the David Traylor Zoo and Trusler Sports Complex, this also puts more emphasis on the work of the Emporia Land Bank established three years ago. City Housing Specialist Jeff Lynch says the city is trying to help residents wanting homes and landowners of “distressed” properties.
Properties are eligible if they are “distressed” — vacant or abandoned, in decline or with back taxes on them. Residents are encouraged to either donate those properties or give the city an offer for consideration. Lynch admits traffic has been slow — one or two properties transferred to the Land Bank per year — with several sold and one donated to Habitat for Humanity. With over 120 homes totally vacant and as many as 60 that could be torn down, Lynch would like to see up to 10 homes per year entered in the Land Bank.
Woods tells KVOE News this gives realtors and developers an opportunity to use existing infrastructure to benefit the city — which is important because underground pipes are expensive and the city is trying to limit sprawl as the population gradually declines from just under 27,000 in 2000 to just over 24,300 in the most recent census. Besides the urban sprawl concerns, studies indicate Flint Hills residents spend 36 percent more for fuel than the national average.
Woods says the effort to fill vacant lots and properties could also prompt the city to revisit ordinances already on the books for chronic vacancies or other related policy issues.
For more information about the study, call Main Street at 620-340-6430. For more information about the Emporia Land Bank, call Lynch at 620-343-4285.
