×

Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation celebrates 10 years

Submitted Photo Land Bank Chair, John Hemmer (left) addresses Founders Award recipients Mark Geise and Peter Lombardi (right), while Executive Director Gina Paradis (center) looks on.

As the first rural land bank, and among the first five land banks created in New York State, the Chautauqua County Land Bank (CCLBC) turned 10 years old in September 2022. On Sept. 29, CCLBC celebrated this milestone with friends, colleagues, community partners, and board members, past and present. A beautiful evening hosted by Johnson Estate Winery, everyone gathered to appreciate the teamwork and dedication that has gone into the last decade of work in Chautauqua County. To date, the Land Bank has assisted in more than 120 demolition projects across the County, and facilitated the renovation of over 100 properties through their Sales 4 Rehab Program, with more Rehabs coming available in the next few weeks.

A short ceremony commenced around 4:30 p.m., opened by CCLBC Executive Director, Gina Paradis. Board Chair John Hemmer of Westfield joined her, and helped present the Founder’s Awards to Peter Lombardi and Mark Geise, founding members of the Chautauqua County Land Bank. Stephen Abdella also received a Special Recognition award for the critical legal counsel he has provided the Land Bank these past 10 years.

Emotions were stirred when Paradis announced the “Bill Carlson Partners of Distinction” Award, in honor of former board member William Carlson who passed away unexpectedly in 2020. In memoriam, this award will be given each year to an individual or group who showed exemplary partnership and alignment with the landbank’s mission, who have helped make a difference in the surrounding communities. This year, the Bill Carlson Partners of Distinction Award went to Stephen Holt, Broker/Owner of Howard Hanna Holt Real Estate.

The ceremony concluded with some kind words in support of the Land Bank from Assemblyman Andy Goodell, followed by a closing statement from Paradis.

The Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation is so thankful for the staff, community members, sponsors, board members, local government officials, friends, and everyone who makes the work they do possible.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today