KIMBALL -- As the housing rehabilitation partnership between Kimball and Gering moves forward after years of being in limbo, the city has received questions and concerns from community members about the intent behind the partnership. 

Kimball and Gering first signed into the land bank partnership in 2022, and just a few weeks ago, the board was finalized and approved. 

Director of BB Associates Michelle Coolidge visited Kimball Tuesday evening to inform the community about the purpose of land banks, while answering specific questions asked by Kimball residents. 

What is the purpose of a land bank and who benefits from it? 

A Land Bank provides communities with a tool to get vacant lots, abandoned properties, or buildings that drag down the community back into productive use, Coolidge said. 

“This tool makes it possible to tackle properties that private buyers typically avoid so the community can see real progress,” Coolidge said. “The land bank will benefit the entire community. Homeowners see safer, cleaner neighborhoods; local businesses benefit by new activity; the city benefits from higher property values and potential tax revenue; new buyers benefit from access to the properties that otherwise would have been tied up in red tape.”

She continued saying that more housing brings more residents, workers, and students to the community as well as more dollars spent on local retail, restaurants and services. 

How is the land bank funded? 

The cities involved in a land bank bring the initial funds for operation, then the organization can receive additional support from banks, developers, grants, and other donations. 

The land bank would then hopefully receive money from the sale of the property to go back into their fund for future operations. 

“The aim is to become a self-sustaining entity over time,” she said. 

Why does Gering have more representatives on the board than Kimball? 

Gering has more representatives than Kimball due to difficulty finding the right board members that fit the requirements, Coolidge said. 

The board is required to be made up of members with specific areas of expertise to be able to make educated decisions, including experience in finance, real estate, construction, chamber of commerce, and affordable housing and rental property.  

Coolidge said both communities struggled to find the right candidates that fit the expertise, have the time to commit to the position, and have no conflict of interest. 

“Kimball will always have a seat at the table,” she said. “Gering may hold more seats simply because it has a larger population and pool of professionals, but the structure is designed to protect fairness and transparency while ensuring both communities see progress.” 

Does this threaten personal property rights? 

Coolidge acknowledged a big concern from residents being that land banks are a “government grab” and take away property owners’ personal property rights. 

“I assure you this is not a government grab, the land bank is simply made aware of properties that come up for tax sale and can step in strategically, but the public still has access to these properties,” Coolidge said. 

The land bank purchases properties that are in such bad shape that an average homebuyer is not looking at purchasing. Then the land bank does the leg work to get it to a safe condition and either builds a whole new building or sells the land to someone who wants to build their own property on it. 

“The land bank does not take away anyone's rights; property owners still have all the same notices, redemption periods and opportunities to pay taxes that they do today ... only after those rights are exhausted – often years later – does the land bank step in, the same as any other buyer at a tax sale,” Coolidge said. “The end result is fewer eye sores, more opportunities and healthy neighborhoods.”