Land Bank
Kansas City, Kansas, is a place with enormous growth and development potential. However, the urban core of Kansas City, Kansas has many residential parcels that have remained vacant for years.
These vacancies are largely the result of the myriad of challenges to building infill housing in historic neighborhoods. In light of this challenge, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas implemented innovative solutions to reduce the cost of building and streamlined the process for new construction in existing neighborhoods.
Land Bank Policy Update
Notice: The Land Bank Policy Update will go in front of the Board of Commissioners Neighborhood and Community Development Standing Committee on March 4, 2024.
Draft Land Bank Policy Update(PDF, 274KB)
Land Bank Policy Review Subcommittee
Following public engagement (see below), the Land Bank Policy Review Subcommittee revised the policy based on feedback. Meetings were offered in a hybrid format and occurred on the following dates:
- Thursday, February 23, 2023, 3:30 - 4:30 PM — Completed. Watch Meeting Recording
- Thursday, March 23, 2023, 3:30 - 4:30 PM — Completed. Watch Meeting Recording
- Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 3:30 - 05:00 PM — Completed.
- Thursday, May 25, 2023, 2:00 - 3:30 PM — Completed.
2023 February Land Bank Policy Review Subcommittee Presentation(PDF, 1MB)
2023 September Land Bank Policy Review Subcommittee Presentation(PDF, 931KB)
Previous Meetings
From October 2022 to January 2023, the Land Bank hosted four engagement events to elicit feedback on the current Land Bank program and policy. Public meetings were hosted at:
- Eisenhower Community Center, October 18, 2022, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM —Completed
- Beatrice Lee Community Center, October 25, 2022, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM — Completed
- Argentine Community Center, November 1, 2022, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM — Completed
- Beatrice Lee Community Center, January 10, 2023, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM — Completed
Presentations from public meetings and summaries of feedback from all engagement meetings are listed below:
Let’s Talk Land Bank: Presentations and Feedback Summaries
What Kind of Properties are In the Land Bank
The Land Bank is divided into (3) types of parcels, which are determined by the Unified Government Planning and Zoning Department.
Non-Buildable Parcels: Parcels where houses or other large buildings cannot be built, but garages, fencing, paving, or similar structures can be built.
Buildable Parcels: Parcels of land without any free-standing structures before purchase where structures such as houses or other large buildings can be built.
Parcels with a Structure: Parcels of land with structures already on them (including homes, garages, and businesses).
Who Controls the Property in the Land Bank?
The Land Bank Manager operates the Land Bank and serves at the direction of the Land Bank Board of Trustees. Under Kansas State law (K.S.A. 19-26, 109), the board assumes possession and control of any property it acquires and has the power to hold and administer such property.
How Do Properties Get into the Land Bank?
The Wyandotte County Land Bank acquires its property through tax foreclosure. The land bank also reserves the right to accept land through private donations deemed necessary or beneficial to Wyandotte County’s community building efforts.
Who owns the property next to me?
Report a Maintenance Problem
You can report it to our Parks Team.
- Overgrown Land Bank Lots
- Illegal Dumping
- Downed Trees
More Info on Mowing