The sale of a neglected lot, long cared for but not owned by stewards in a neighborhood, can be devastating.
Dominique Johnson, a North Philly resident and member of the newly formed Philadelphia Land Stewards Union, tended a vacant lot next to his family’s home for two decades. He even attempted to purchase it from the Philadelphia Land Bank, which acquires vacant and tax-delinquent properties for redevelopment, without success.
“Every once in a while, I will go in and just kill the weeds, try and cut down some of the trees,” Johnson said. “I had a weed whacker, and I would try and keep it tidy, get rid of the trash.”
Last summer, Johnson said the city removed a gate that had been there, and since then, it has become a regular hangout for smoking and other late-night activities. “Since we don't have a gate, a lot of people walk in and out,” Johnson said. “Sometimes they don't have the best intentions.”
Johnson understood something like this could happen, as neither he nor his neighbor officially owned the land despite being the main caretakers. That’s why, on his mother’s behalf, in 2018 he reached out to the Philadelphia Land Bank to express interest in the property.
“But I didn't get any type of confirmation email,” he said. “So I just waited and waited and never heard back.”
He made another attempt the following year, once again expressing his interest but unaware that these attempts were not formal applications. This time he received an email response saying he’d hear back in 30 days. But he never did.
Then last month Johnson found a flyer on his door informing him that the lot would be developed.
“I got frustrated really quick because I've been trying to get this space for some time now. My neighbor was also trying to get the space.” Johnson said. “My main worry is if there's going to be damage done to my home and my neighbor's home [due to development]. That's one of the primary reasons that I was trying to see if I could still acquire it.”
Johnson contacted Ryan Gittler-Muñiz, organizer for the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union. An online campaign was launched to request that the Land Bank’s board stop the sale. But at the Land Bank's meeting, it became clear to Johnson that development of the property was long in motion.
The sale could not be prevented, but it wasn’t a total loss for Johnson. “If anything positive came out of the board meeting, it was that a lot of people showed up to support me,” Johnson said. “I really, really appreciate that, and I will somehow return the favor.”
Johnson shared his story at the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union’s first meeting last weekend. Its membership has grown to about 100 members.
“I can be connected to individuals who have either experienced something similar to what I'm going through, who might be going through it now, and that I can really help them in some type of way,” Johnson said.
“I'm hurt, a little upset, definitely frustrated, but I'm still going to fight. I still want to try and do something to keep pushing forward,” Johnson said. “If I can help somebody somehow who's going through what I'm going through, I’ll show up for them when they have to go to their board meeting.”
A representative from the Land Bank did not return requests for comment.
🎧 Gittler-Muñiz spoke with City Cast Philly about why community members are using a union model to have a say in what development happens in their neighborhoods. Listen to our full conversation about the Philadelphia Land Stewards Union.
