Woodlawn Foundation Closes On 20 Land Bank Authority Properties

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The Woodlawn Foundation will close on 20 properties that were once tax delinquent, overgrown and abandoned in Woodlawn, part of 60 Birmingham Land Bank Authority properties the Woodlawn Foundation has identified for purchase to help revitalize the Woodlawn community.

These closings should have taken place in 2016 and 2017, but the closings were delayed because of title insurance industry issues with insuring title on tax delinquent properties. Generally, a title insurance will not issue a policy to a purchaser due to vague law concerning property redemption. Without title insurance, financing for redevelopment or other programming is often non-existent.

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Land Bank staff and lawyers have worked to make sure each property has marketable and insurable title and is eligible for closing. Earlier this year, the Birmingham Land Bank Authority saw its first round of closings with citizens. Friday marks the first major bulk closing with a nonprofit partner.

“We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Birmingham Land Bank Authority on these properties in Woodlawn,” said Sally Mackin, executive director of the Woodlawn Foundation. “Having these properties will give us yet another opportunity to work with our residents to expand the plan that we have been working together on for eight years. We are excited to see what great things come from this.”

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said that neighborhood revitalization is what he promised residents in each of the city’s 99 neighborhoods. Friday’s closing underscores the city’s ongoing commitment to bringing change to communities.

“My administration is committed to breaking down silos, not only in City Hall, but in the community,’’ Mayor Woodfin said. “We want to continue to seek and collaborate with new partners in the public and private sector in order to foster a neighborhood revitalization approach our citizens deserve.”

Eric Fancher, administrator of the Birmingham Land Bank Authority, said the city’s connection with the Woodlawn Foundation is a good example of what happens when everyone works together to help empower neighborhoods and its residents.

“Woodlawn Foundation is one of several organizations, including the Housing Authority of Birmingham District, Titusville Development Corporation, Neighborhood Housing Services of Birmingham and the East Lake Initiative, among others, that are active participants in the acquisition process through the Birmingham Land Bank Authority,’’ Fancher said. “We could not do this without the atmosphere of collaboration and cooperation Mayor Woodfin and the city’s Community Development director, Nigel Roberts, have brought to City Hall.”

Photo of Wood Station playground, courtesy of Alabama News Center