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Abstract
Chicago has experienced decades of deep and stark disinvestment in south and west side neighborhoods. Violence, neglect, abandonment, and segregation has caused social and economic hardships for African American communities. These neighborhoods have been geographically fractured from stronger markets and are burdened by vacant land and abandoned buildings, creating a tough market for local enterprises. This thesis aims to explore innovative wealth creation and land ownership models in order to equitably recommend opportunities for local investment. This thesis will look at a land bank and land trust partnership to organize around the abundance of publicly owned vacant land for community asset development and wealth creation. An analysis of scholarly literature, periodicals, and case studies have supported the rational and significance of creating a nonprofit commercial community land trust in Woodlawn, a south side neighborhood, to effectivity bring economic and community vitality to residents.