About Us
About the Franklin County Land Bank
The mission of the Franklin County Land Bank is Building Stronger Communities. To fulfill our mission, we pursue three goals:
- Increase the supply of affordable workforce housing
- Revitalize neighborhoods by improving properties and removing blight
- Return properties to the tax rolls
- Increase rental housing inventory
Founded in 2023, the Franklin County Land Bank is the 27th approved land bank in the State of New York, a nonprofit entity created to acquire, manage, and rehabilitate vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent, or distressed properties to return them to productive use. You can read our complete mission statement (pdf document) for more information.
We serve the Franklin County communities of Akwesasne, Bangor, Bellmont, Bombay, Brainardsville, Brandon, Brighton, Brushton, Burke, Chateaugay, Constable, Dickinson, Duane, Franklin, Fort Covington, Harrietstown, Malone, Moira, Santa Clara, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Waverly, and Westville.
Key Functions of the Franklin County Land Bank
1. Acquiring Properties
- We obtain properties through tax foreclosure, donations, purchases, or transfers from municipalities.
- These properties are typically vacant homes, abandoned lots, or blighted buildings that negatively impact neighborhoods.
2. Maintaining and Stabilizing Properties
- After acquisition, we secure and assess properties to prevent further deterioration.
- Some homes may be stabilized for future rehabilitation, while others may be demolished if they pose safety risks.
3. Rehabilitating and Selling Properties
- Each property is appraised to determine the value at the time of transfer to the Land Bank and a property survey is completed. Professional architects/engineers and builders assess the property to determine the existing condition and the renovations that are needed to create suitable housing. An environmental survey of each property identifies any hazardous materials and how they can be safely abated.
- Some properties require basic rehabilitation, with additional improvements to be made by the new owners.
- Properties are sold to qualified buyers. Preference is given to prospective buyers who are vital members of the local workforce and to first-time homebuyers.
Milestones and Looking Ahead
with ongoing renovations and future projects planned across the region.
In support of these efforts, the Franklin County Land Bank received a $1.25 million grant from the New York Land Bank Initiative to further its projects. This funding is being used to accelerate the renovation of existing properties and the construction of new homes, addressing the ongoing housing crisis in the region.
Early Property Acquisitions and Partnerships
Collaboration between the Land Bank and the Franklin County government was instrumental to transfer two vacant properties that had been foreclosed for the non-payment of county and school taxes.
One of the first notable projects was the acquisition of the property at 92 Wawbeek Ave., Tupper Lake, which had been vacant for a decade. The Land Bank is planning to demolish the unsafe, deteriorated structure and construct affordable workforce housing.
The Land Bank also acquired 11 Williamson Street in Malone, which had been abandoned by previous occupants. The Land Bank plans to rehabilitate this uninhabitable residence.
Formation and Early Initiatives
Spring: The Land Bank was formed by the Franklin County Board of Legislators and approved as the 27th NY Land Bank. After the Land Bank established the board of directors, it formed a corporate entity with the NY Department of State, and was approved as a non-profit entity by the IRS.
The Property Management Committee of the Land Bank began to evaluate potential acquisitions of distressed properties in communities such as Malone, Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake and surrounding areas.
Our Commitees and Members
Executive
Chairman
Harry Gordon
Vice Chair
Madelyn Fleury
Secretary
Vacant
Treasurer
Sherry Boyea
Governance and Property Management
Committee Co-Chair
Kip Cassavaw
Committee Co-Chair
John Gillis
Board of Legislators Liaison
Liaison
Justus Martin
Audit and Finance
Chairman
Sherry Boyea
Member
Janelle Lavigne
Member
Madelyn Fleury
Governance
Chairman
Kip Cassavaw
Member
Fran Perry
Property Selection and Management
Chairman
John Gillis
Member
Janelle Lavigne
Member
Scott Cook
Member
Harry Gordon
Member
Eric Ashlaw
Executive Director and Staff
