Northeast-Midwest Institute

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY), and the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition - in coordination with the National Vacant Properties Campaign, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and the Northeast-Midwest Institute - are sponsoring a Congressional staff briefing on the issue of large scale vacancy and abandonment.  The briefing will be held on Thursday, October 29, from 2:30 PM until 3:30 PM in room 2253 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

The briefing will highlight how communities are revitalizing vacant sites, and developing innovative approaches to rebuild local economies, create urban food systems, and supply public amenities, such as parks.  The briefing will provide an overview of The Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act of 2009 (H.R. 932) - legislation that provides communities with an important tool to reuse vacant/abandoned properties, and offers a renewed sense of hope for making neighborhoods across the country better places to live.  Speakers include Jennifer Leonard of the National Vacant Properties Campaign, Phil Kidd of the Mahoning Valley Organizing Project (Ohio), Terry Gillen of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, and Joe Schilling of the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech.

Contact:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (202/464-4005) at the Northeast-Midwest Institute, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (202/226-6795) at the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition.