In a move aimed at transforming the face of Philadelphia's vacant lots, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has beefed up the Philadelphia Land Bank Board with five new appointments. A statement released by the Mayor's office emphasized that the Land Bank serves as a pivotal force in the fight to revitalize neighborhoods and jumpstart economic opportunities.

Mayor Parker, known for her assertive approach to urban development, leveraged the appointments as a major step towards fulfilling her promise to create 30,000 housing units. "The Philadelphia Land Bank is a critical entity when it comes to revitalizing neighborhoods, creating more housing and economic opportunity, and strengthening the City’s tax base," she said, according to a statement. Her objective, she went on to explain, is to ensure that Philadelphia blooms into a city of vibrant, and equitable communities, ripe for the cultivation of intergenerational wealth.

Among the fresh faces joining the board is Cornelius Brown, a seasoned site civil engineering professional from Bohler, where he manages their Pennsylvania operations. His background is weighty with industry knowledge and community initiatives, supporting various boards including Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia and BIA of Philadelphia. Additional expertise comes from Rebecca Lopez Kriss, who as Deputy Revenue Commissioner oversees inter-governmental affairs and policy at the Philadelphia Department of Revenue. Her past credits include strategizing outreach efforts and forwarding behavioral science initiatives within the Department.

Bringing a rich history in community development to the table, Herb Wetzel, who retired this year from the Philadelphia City Council as Executive Director of Housing and Community Development, enters the board with a benevolent vision for the city's growth. Also joining him are Darwin Beauvais of Obermayer, a land use ace with a green thumb for sustainable building practices, and Majeedah Rashid from the Nicetown CDC, who has a track record of spurring economic development with projects that have funneled over $30 million into her neighborhood.

These appointments come at a time when the Parker administration is locked on reigniting the city's land resources to reduce vacancy and build affordable housing — a critical step in the Mayor's blueprint for a rejuvenated Philadelphia.