It will be a very unique opportunity to gain details on the latest tools for neighborhood revitalization in Ohio, as well as new legislative and funding opportunities for community revitalization.
The DMI Property Conference is coming to Mansfield on Friday, March 9, and Preservation Ohio is the event co-sponsor. The overall sponsor and host is Downtown Mansfield, Inc.. The conference will feature panel discussions, a luncheon keynote, and an afternoon tour of unique properties in Mansfield ripe for investment.
The keynote address will feature Jim Rokakis, Director of the Thriving Communities Institute, speaking on land banking. The Institute is a regional effort to help revitalize urban centers by working with communities and organizations to transform vacant and underutilized properties. Rokakis has a stellar record as a Cleveland City Councilman and through his work as Cuyahoga County Treasurer, and he was the driving force behind a bill that allowed for the creation of the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation, also known as the Cuyahoga County Land Bank.
Other panelists include the following:
Local Mansfield and Richland County officials, including Don Mitchell, City of Mansfield; Bart Hamilton, Richland County Treasurer; and JR Rice, City of Mansfield Codes & Permits
Statewide experts and speakers, including Thomas Palmer, Executive Director of Preservation Ohio, speaking on Tax Incentives for Preserving Older Properties; Thomas Fitzpatrick IV, Economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, speaking on Blight & Its Impact on Property Values; and Alison Goebel, PHD, Associate Director of Greater Ohio, speaking on Property Redevelopment.
The event will take place at the Café on Main in Downtown Mansfield, from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.. The cost is only $25, which includes lunch. Payment may be made online on the DMI Facebook Page (click here to access),by mailing to Downtown Mansfield, Inc., 101 ½ North Main Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44902, or at the door. For information, contact DMI at: jenniferg@downtownmansfield.com or at 419.522.0099.
Attendance is open to anyone in Ohio looking for creative ideas on revitalization. Information shared will be highly relevant not only for urban communities, but for Ohio’s mid to smaller-sized cities as well — any community dealing with vacant or underused properties.
