Some homes are beyond repair and its safer to demolish them. When there is no money to pay for these demolitions, the properties present a danger to the surrounding community.

Chamar Otis is the sales associate for the Greater Syracuse Land Bank. He gives tours of abandoned homes to potential buyers.

Chamar Otis.

A Block Blitz Volunteer works on the yard outside a vacant home.

Block Blitz volunteers build a new porch for an elderly resident.

When homes are demolished, it opens up space for pocket parks in neighborhoods across the city. These parks are usually built and maintained by the community.

The Vacant Mural Project adds color and life to vacant properties.