This document discusses a vacant lot program (VLP) in Syracuse, NY that aims to reclaim publicly owned vacant lots using green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflows. The VLP is a joint venture between Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse that has installed various green infrastructure projects on vacant lots since 2011, engaging the community. Challenges include long-term maintenance and public acceptance, and opportunities exist to further legitimize urban agriculture and engage stakeholders in planning.
2. About ASLF
New York based not-for-profit, headquartered in the Near
Westside area in the City of Syracuse
Established in 1982 to provide legal, technical, and
organizational services to individuals and organizations
dealing with environmental issues
Has been taking a leading role in protection and restoration
of Syracuse waterways and addressing CSO issues
Is incorporating innovative strategies to improve economic,
social , and environmental sustainability in urban life
3.
4. Planning Issues for Urban America
Air & Water Pollution Insufficient Urban Green
Space
Population Shifting
Climate Change and Basic
Crime
Living
High Unemployment
Food Deserts
Transportation
Vacancy
5. Urban Agriculture’s Potential Roles in
Today’s Urban Life
Environmental
Reduce energy consumption for and emissions from food
transportation
Preserve urban open/green space
Reduce urban heat islands
Mitigate stormwater runoff
Increase biodiversity
6. Urban Agriculture’s Potential Roles in
Today’s Urban Life
Socially
Implement food justice strategies and improve food
security, particularly for underserved inner city
communities
Bring about social cohesiveness and create a sense of
community
Reduce crime rate
Introduce healthier food and life style
7. Urban Agriculture’s Potential Roles in
Today’s Urban Life
Economically
Create jobs for urban dwellers from all socioeconomic
backgrounds
Create local business
Reduce transportation
Reduce energy cost
8.
9. The Impacts
Economically draining for city
Lower property values
Visual quality degradation
High rates of crime and arson
Property Value Degradation around A Vacant Property
Public health issues
Source: Temple University Center for Public Policy and Eastern
Pennsylvania Organizing Project. “Blight Free Philadelphia: A
Public-Private Strategy to Create and Enhance Neighborhood
Value.” Philadelphia, 2001.
10. The Opportunities
Urban agriculture
Stormwater retention
Public green space
Urban infill development
Urban forestry A Vegetable Garden on A Former Vacant Lot in Cleveland, OH
Source: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/08/growing-self-sufficient-cities/
Habitat creation and conservation
11. The Benefits of Reclaiming Urban
Vacant Land
Produce fresh food Increase property value
Create jobs Reduce heat island effect
Beautify community Create and conserve urban open
space
Mitigate pollution
Save municipal cost on
Reduce crime
maintenance
Revitalize inner city community
Introduce healthy life style
14. Background: The Issue (cont.)
Municipal Source of Pollution: Combined Sewer
Overflow (CSO)
Diagram of a
Combined Sewer
Overflow System.
Adapted from
“CSOs Explained”
Official City of
Bremerton Site.
15. The Process: ACJ
ASLF and the NYS-DEC 1988 lawsuit against
Onondaga County under the Clean Water Act
METRO Consent Judgment
Amended Consent Judgment (ACJ, January 1998)
The key legal document
Outlined two dozen projects for the County
Extensive monitoring program
16. The Process:
The 4th Stip to ACJ 2009
The court order requires Onondaga County to use
GRAY and GREEN infrastructure addressing CSOs
Gray Infrastructure: Commitment to 88.7% annual
volume capture in by 2013
Green Infrastructure (GI): Commitment to an additional
6.3% annual volume capture in Green Infrastructure
commencing immediately in 2009, resulting in 95%
total annual volume capture by 2018
17. The Solution: Save the Rain (STR)
A GI program created by the County
Encompasses the storm water and GI initiatives
Educates the public about issues and how they can use
and benefit from GI
Initiatives
GI on public land
Green Improvement Fund: GI on private land
Rain Barrel Program
Urban Forestry Program
STR-Vacant Lot Program (VLP)
18. VLP Program Goals
Reduce minimum of 9 million gallons of CSO by 2018
with GI on publicly owned vacant lots
Provide different forms of GREEN infrastructure
projects for Save The Rain
Simultaneously reclaim greenspace in a useful way and
improve value of vacant lots to community
Engage public in GI maintenance for Save The Rain
19. Syracuse Vacant Lot Inventory
3,668 vacant parcels in the City of
Syracuse (2012 data)
1,786 vacant parcels (392 ac.) in
combined sewer service area
where GI projects are required for
managing stormwater and CSO’s
828 publicly owned vacant parcels
which could be potentially used
Vacant Lots in the City of Syracuse.
20. Syracuse Vacant Lot Inventory
814 of 828 public vacant parcels are under City ownership
City of Syracuse
Ownership NYS County City City Seizable Total
City TD
Owned Agencies Parcels
Parcels 6 8 78 120 37 579 828
Inventory Acreage
2.26 7.39 36.72 28.33 6.09 107.27 188.06
Parcels 0 0 24 60 25 332 441
Candidates
Acreage 0 0 6.92 12 5.06 80.14 104.12
21. VLP: A Joint Venture
Between Onondaga County and City of
Syracuse
Initiated in 2011 by Onondaga County
Funded by Onondaga County to built GI
projects on City owned vacant lots
Developed collaboratively to fit under both
governments’ immediate planning goals
Based on the agreement that defines the
County’s and the City’s responsibilities in
O&M of the VLP projects
The City of Syracuse Ordinance that depicts the
City-County Agreement on installing GI on the City
Developed and coordinated by ASLF properties
22. VLP’s Reclamation Typologies
Urban Orchard
Community Garden (Ornamental or Vegetable)
Urban Forest/Tree Planting
Combined with other GI practices such as rain garden, cistern, bioswale,
stormwater planter, etc. to manage stormwater runoff
VLP Pilot Project Rendering: Urban Orchard at 701
Oswego Street, Syracuse, New York
23. VLP Projects: 2011
Before After
VLP Pilot Project: Urban Orchard at 701 Oswego Street, Syracuse, New York
24. VLP Projects: 2012
Concept Field Work 50% Design
Project Status Bid Phase Total
Phase Phase Phase
Number of
7 3 3 3 16
Projects
25. Community Involvement in VLP
Outreach to general public and communities near project sites
Coordination with community in planning & design process
(community meetings, design workshops)
Community participation in maintenance (organized to
ensure the quality of performance)
Green job training and job creation
26. Further Needs and Challenges
Long-term ownership and O&M mechanism
Alternatives
Under public ownership
Under private ownership and operation
Land Trust model
O&M
Produce
Taxes
Utilities
27. Further Needs and Challenges
Public acceptance and involvement in projects
Safety issues related to urban farming on abandoned land
Lawn VS Native Garden
Tree(s) VS Forest
An integral planning process to incorporate all
stakeholders’ interests and meet their needs,
particularly for urban agriculture typologies under VLP
29. Legitimize the Process
Adaptation of Zoning and Land Use Policy
Adaptation of Food Policy
Guidelines for Growing Safe Food (on Potentially
Contaminated Vacant Land)
Incorporation of Urban Agriculture in Urban Planning
Agenda
30. Identify and Engage Key Stakeholders
Different levels of government
Relevant departments and professionals
Local leaders and councils
Private sector
Landowners
Academic organizations or research institutes
NGOs, social movements, grassroots and religious
organizations
31. Develop/Adopt Appropriate Urban Agriculture
Types for Vacant Lot Management
Community Garden
Allotment Garden
Urban Commercial Farm
Side-yard Garden
School Garden
32. For More Information
Atlantic States Legal Foundation, Inc.
658 West Onondaga Street, Syracuse, New York 13204
315-475-1170. atlantic.states@aslf.org
http://www.aslf.org/
Onondaga County Save The Rain Program
http://savetherain.us/