FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Crescent City Community Land Trust Announces New Board Members:

Integrating community and residents perspective

NEW ORLEANS — Crescent City Community Land Trust (CCCLT) announces three new board of directors members, Wendy Washington, Scott Darrah and Tùng Bach Lý. The board represents the people and organizations served by CCCLT and oversees the land trust, which develops high quality affordable housing and commercial spaces in New Orleans coupled with stewardship, all to promote community stability, mitigate displacement, ensure permanent affordability and preserve the culture of New Orleans.

CCCLT’s Executive Director Julius E. Kimbrough Jr. points out that the new members are reflective of the various communities and interests that CCCLT serves.

“Our largest project to date is the co-development of the historic Pythian building in downtown New Orleans that features 25 permanently affordable apartments, 44 market rate apartments and three floors of commercial space” Kimbrough says. “Wendy Washington and Scott Darrah both live there. Tùng Bach Lý is a new New Orleanian committed to strengthening his Mid-City neighborhood within the Livable Claiborne Communities – CCCLT’s service area. All three will all give our board fresh perspective that is vital to CCCLT’s ongoing efforts and future endeavors.”

Incorporating land trust residents and property users into the board is part of the traditional community land trust model, because it’s critical to not only hear from residents and users but to also make them part of the decision-making process.

“These are the people that we serve,” Kimbrough says. “Their representation and input will be invaluable.”

Wendy Washington is an adjunct professor in sociology at Delgado Community College and Borough of Manhattan Community College. She worked for many years in the entertainment industry and also had a career in government. She holds master’s degree in sociology from the University of New Orleans, and is currently a PhD student candidate at The New School in Manhattan, New York.

Tùng Bach Lý studied biomedical engineering at Tulane University, and worked for Louisiana Public Health Institute, developing a patient-centered medical home model. Currently, he serves as the City of New Orleans Web Manager, enabling municipal government to develop digital products and services. He is also on the board of directors for VAYLA New Orleans, Arts Council New Orleans, and Mid-City Security District.

Scott Darrah is the owner of Access Claims and Insurance Services, which provides commercial and industrial loss and risk consulting for various insurance operations. For several years, he worked as a community development director and legislative director for the District D Office of the New Orleans, and was the founding president of the Gentilly Civic Improvement Association following Hurricane Katrina. Very recently, Scott launched the Freaky Frittata pop-up restaurant in the Pythian Market food hall to rave reviews.

CCCLT is proud to share the news that the Greater New Orleans Foundation has invested $1 million to support the development of the Crescent City Futures Fund! The Futures Fund will support development projects in New Orleans that incorporate the community land trust approach by including long-term or permanently affordable housing units and commercial community benefits. Projects funded through the Futures Fund will help ensure that our local economy and our neighborhoods remain strong and offer opportunity for residents of all income levels. CCCLT is partnering with Capital Impact Partners, a national Community Development Financial Institution, as the administrators of the Futures Fund. Read on for the full press release from the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Continue reading →

WWNO Producer Eve Abrams uses the Crescent City and JPNSI collaboration at JanePlace and Palmyra as a touchstone for discussing the community land trust approach and its ability to renew communities for the long term. To listen or read, click here.

In collaboration with the Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative (JPNSI), Crescent City has officially launched its first project — the historic redevelopment of 2739 Palmyra Street. Crescent City and JPNSI are working in partnership with the Tulane City Center and Alembic Community Development. Click here for the full press release.

This work highlights Crescent City’s role as a bridge for the long-term, sustainable renewal of New Orleans. With 2739 Palmyra, Crescent City is providing financial support through a predevelopment grant fortified by City of New Orleans HOME dollars and state and federal historic tax credits. Upon completion, JPNSI will continue to own the building, ensuring quality property and financial management. Within its role, Crescent City will deliver technical and stewardship support, both of which will help future residents of 2739 Palmyra and JPNSI to be successful in the long-term. Wholly unique, Crescent City is one of the first organizations of its kind nationwide and is the only organization doing so across the categories of affordable housing, enterprise development and vacant land use.

Crescent City Community Land Trust (Crescent City), the bridge for long-term, sustainable renewal in the city of New Orleans, today announced its annual transition of board personnel, welcoming new members and thanking departing members for their service. New members include Phillip Eide, senior vice president, housing and economic development, Hope Enterprise Corporation; Lisa S. Mazique, principal, Linx Advisory, LLC and, and Aaron Miripol, president and CEO at the Urban Land Conservancy. This team brings more than 75 years of critical expertise in the arenas of focus critical to Crescent City’s mission – affordable housing, enterprise development and vacant land use.

By design, Crescent City’s board of directors represents the community that includes leaseholders and community and technical directors. Members typically commit to serving two-year terms and a portion of the Board rotates off and new members come forward. Members rotating off in 2013 include Nicole Heyman, vice president, The Center for Community Progress, and Kathy Laborde, president, The Gulf Coast Housing Partnership.

“As Crescent City continues into its second year of operation, we believe that the perspective and leadership Phillip, Aaron and Lisa bring will ensure we continue our strong organizational momentum. As 2013 unfolds, it promises to a year of productivity and progress in our mission to be a bridge for renewal in New Orleans for the long haul,” said Christy Wallace Slater, president, the Crescent City Community Land Trust Board of Directors. “A special word of thanks to Kathy and Nicole for their service. They have played such an integral role in shepherding Crescent City from its formative stage and put the foundation in place that enables us to launch our first year of operations.”

Read the full release: click here. Interested in getting involved in Crescent City? Contact us!