OSWEGO — For years, they were boarded-up eyesores that worried neighbors. Now, two long-vacant homes in the city of Oswego have been rebuilt by the Oswego County Land Bank to provide owner-occupied housing – and a solution to a neighbor’s backyard access problem.
The properties, located at 131 E. 11th St. and 102 E. Schuyler St., were vacant and in advanced states of disrepair when the Land Bank acquired them following tax foreclosures. Both structures required major structural repairs, partial demolitions, foundation repairs and complete interior and exterior renovations, including new electrical and HVAC systems that likely have been cost-prohibitive for private developers.
“These long-vacant properties were a detriment to the neighborhoods and stood vacant for years,” Land Bank Director Kim Park said. “We were able not only to restore the properties and provide quality housing in the city, but we were also able to give the neighbors on East 11th Street permanent access to their backyard. This is exactly the type of work the Land Bank was created to take on.”
The 131 E. 11th St. property had been boarded up, vandalized and broken into before the foreclosure process began. Next-door neighbor Joyce Buccina, who has lived there for more than 30 years, said the house was “a cute little place” when they first moved in, but it declined over time and eventually became the site of drug activity. Located near Fitzhugh Park Elementary School, it became a source of concern for nearby residents.
Vacant for years, the house continued to deteriorate until the Land Bank took ownership in 2023. Park called the rehabilitation “a total gut job,” which required demolishing and rebuilding part of the structure. The home now meets modern building codes and features energy-efficient upgrades, including new insulation, windows and doors.
“The East 11th Street property is a textbook example of the kind of complex project the Land Bank is equipped to take on,” said Land Bank President Shane Broadwell. “For years, it was a problem property in an otherwise strong neighborhood, creating safety concerns and dragging down nearby property values. It’s now owner-occupied housing that makes the neighborhood and the city a better place.”
In addition to the rehabilitation work at East 11th Street, the Land Bank worked with neighboring homeowners to resolve a long-standing property access issue. Buccina and her husband previously relied on a verbal agreement with prior owners to access their backyard. She said she was initially skeptical when the Land Bank acquired the property.
“We didn’t know anything about the Land Bank, and we just didn’t want them fixing it up, renting it out and having this same situation happen again,” Buccina said.
Fortunately, that’s not what the Land Bank does. Buccina reached out to the Land Bank and explained the situation. In addition to rehabilitating the home, the Land Bank subdivided a portion of the property to sell to the Buccinas, providing them with permanent legal access to their yard and peace of mind.
“We can get to our backyard and not have to worry,” Buccina said. “And we’re excited that it’s a nice-looking house again and we’re going to get some decent neighbors.”
The 102 E. Schuyler St. property required similar work, including demolition and reconstruction of the back portion of the house. The Schuyler Street rehabilitation was also a unique project, as the Land Bank demolished the structure next door and combined the lots. Park said the adjacent home was so deteriorated that it was not only an eyesore but also a safety issue.
The East 11th and East Schuyler properties are just two of many projects the Land Bank has completed this year. Park said additional projects are underway and nearing completion in the city of Oswego, and five homes were recently completed and listed for sale in the city of Fulton.
The Land Bank has been awarded more than $3 million of outside money this year to continue its mission of transforming blighted, vacant properties into quality, affordable, owner-occupied housing in Oswego County.
About the Oswego County Land Bank
The Oswego County Land Bank is a state-designated public authority dedicated to transforming blighted or vacant properties into appealing residential and productive commercial properties, improving the quality of life in local communities and revitalizing neighborhoods. Formed in 2016, the nonprofit corporation is governed by an 11-member board.
To learn more about the Oswego County Land Bank, visit: www.oswegocountylandbank.com
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