Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF), which is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary, will welcome Chatham County/City of Savannah Land Bank Authority, Inc. Executive Director Alison Goldey as a guest speaker on Thursday, April 17 at the HSF headquarters, located at 321 E. York St. Goldey will discuss “Land Bank Authorities and Neighborhood Revitalization” as part of the 2025 Historic Savannah Foundation Lecture Series, “The People, Places and Stories That Define Savannah.” Attendees are invited to attend a wine reception at 5:30 p.m. The lecture will start at 6 p.m.
Goldey will discuss how land banks can be a powerful tool to assist communities in meeting neighborhood revitalization goals by increasing affordable housing and stabilizing property values. She will explain how land banks work in partnership with communities as well as private and nonprofit developers to assist with the redevelopment of vacant and abandoned properties. In addition, she will also share exciting projects that have been completed in Savannah, Ga. In conjunction with Historic Savannah Foundation and in Macon, Ga. in conjunction with Historic Macon Foundation.
Goldey has served as the Executive Director of the Chatham County/City of Savannah Land Bank Authority, Inc. since 2019 and works in collaboration with community and business leaders, state and local government officials and private and nonprofit developers to coordinate neighborhood redevelopment and create affordable housing opportunities. Earlier in her career, she served as the Executive Director of the Macon-Bibb County Land Bank Authority, where she was responsible for the acquisition, disposition and maintenance of blighted and underutilized properties.
With more than 27 years of experience in the land bank field, Goldey serves a valuable resource to cities and counties throughout Georgia. She currently serves as the President of the Georgia Association of Land Bank Authorities and as a board member of the State Housing Trust Fund for Homelessness, the Georgia Balance of State Continuum of Care and Habitat Georgia.
Over the last decade, the number of land banks and land bank programs across the United States has increased, offering more than 300 programs in 19 states. Georgia has more than 30 land bank authorities with unique powers that allow them to help return vacant, abandoned and deteriorated properties to a productive use.
Historic Savannah Foundation’s 2025 Lecture Series is open to the public. Reservations are recommended, as space is limited. Attendance is free for Historic Savannah Foundation members and $15 for non-members. Members may RSVP by emailing Kendall Graham at kgraham@myhsf.org or calling 912-233-7787, ext. 109. Non-members may purchase tickets by visiting myhsf.org/events/lecture-series
