Land Bank
Kansas City, Kansas is a place of enormous potential for growth and development. 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 in October 2023.
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 hybrid format and occurred on the following dates:
- Thursday, February 23, 2023 | 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM - Completed. Meeting recording available here.
- Thursday, March 23, 2023 | 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM - Completed. Meeting recording available here.
- Tuesday, April 25, 2023 | 03:30 PM - 05:00 PM - Completed.
- Thursday, May 25, 2023 | 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM - Completed.
Land Bank Policy Review Subcommittee Presentation February-2023.pdf
Land Bank Policy Review Subcommittee Presentation September 2023
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, 6:30pm to 8:00pm - Completed
- Beatrice Lee Community Center, October 25, 2022, 6:30pm to 8:00pm - Completed
- Argentine Community Center, November 1, 2022, 6:30pm to 8:00pm - Completed
- Beatrice Lee Community Center, January 10, 2023, 6:30pm to 8:00pm - Completed
Presentations from public meetings and summaries of feedback from all engagement meetings are listed below:
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 donation that is 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