Albany

The Albany County Land Bank is soliciting proposals for its first 123 properties — most of them scattered throughout Arbor Hill, West Hill, Sheridan Hollow and the South End.

The properties — 121 in Albany and two in Cohoes — came from the county's tax foreclosure rolls and will mark the land bank's first efforts to attract buyers with viable plans to redevelop them in line with the organization's mission to combat blight by promoting responsible ownership.

The nonprofit, which was created last year, formally closed on the properties Friday for $1, Executive Director Kathleen Bronson said. The full list is available on its website at www.albanycounty.com/landbank.

Bronson said people interested in submitting proposals for the properties — about 40 percent are vacant land — can do so using the purchase application on the site.

Among the questions the would-be buyers are being asked is whether they have histories of tax delinquency, loan default, bankruptcy or legal trouble.

They are also being asked to provide proof that the have the financial resources to complete and maintain their proposed project as well as a plan to manage it.

Bronson said the land bank has also started a "side lot" program that gives preference on vacant lots — some of them too small to build on — to adjacent property owners.

Simultaneously, Bronson said, the land bank is drafting plans for how to spend the $2.88 million it's been pledged by state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office. Bronson said those plans will include the land bank itself rehabilitating eight properties and stabilizing about 30 others.

Plans also call for between 10 and 12 demolitions, she said, adding that some of the state money will be used for lot acquisitions and improvements.

While the land bank's first round of acquisitions focused on neighborhoods in Albany with the highest rates of vacant and abandoned buildings, Bronson said future efforts will concentrate on areas of the county outside the city.

jcarleo-evangelist@timesunion.com • 518-454-5445 • @JCEvangelist_TU