Simmons to Host Seminar on Land Banks and Land Usage

State Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Northampton) is hosting a seminar on community redevelopment that will focus on the topics of land banks and land usage. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Thursday, May 1, at 7 p.m., at the Southern Lehigh Public Library, 3200 Preston Lane in Center Valley.

Pennsylvania’s land bank law, which was enacted in 2012, allows municipalities to create authorities that acquire, manage and develop blighted, tax-foreclosed properties with the goal of encouraging community growth.

Simmons has invited several experts on the issue to lead the debate and answer questions. They include Cynthia Daley, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania policy director; Eric Supey, Department of Environmental Protection Northeast Regional Office, environmental cleanup and brownfields program manager; and Bill Ahlert, HDR Engineering Inc. vice president.

Light refreshments will be served.