Article by LaBella’s Director of Planning Ed Flynn, AICP, Is Featured in Talk of the Towns Magazine
“Considerations for Selling Municipal Property for Development”
Municipalities frequently own “excess” properties—land, buildings, or facilities that are no longer essential to local government operations. While these parcels may initially appear to be liabilities, they often hold significant potential to support economic development, foster neighborhood revitalization, and advance long-term community goals.
In the September/October 2026 issue of Talk of the Towns magazine, published by the New York Association of Towns, Director of Planning Ed Flynn, AICP, discusses types of excess municipal property, outlines key considerations for municipalities evaluating the disposition of underutilized property, and explores strategies for maximizing public benefit.
Thank you to the New York Association of Towns for featuring Ed’s article!
Pictured above: Following foreclosure, the City of Batavia, New York, used an RFP to guide redevelopment of the historic Carr’s Warehouse. The RFP process allowed the City to retain control over land use and design outcomes, advance its downtown revitalization goals, and attract private investment. The building now features ground-floor commercial space and four market-rate apartments, turning underutilized municipal property into lasting community value.