WASHINGTON — Empty and underused houses of worship are creating a unique redevelopment challenge — and opportunity — for communities across the country. Unlike a vacant storefront or office building, these properties can carry deep historical and emotional significance while also occupying valuable land that could serve new community needs.
In a new episode of the National League of Cities’ CitiesSpeak podcast, Rick Reinhard, a thought leader on the reuse and redevelopment of faith properties, explores how local leaders can approach what he calls “spiritual brownfields” and help give these properties a second life.
Reinhard, a former journalist, economic development official, mayoral chief of staff, real estate developer and United Methodist Church official, has spent the past five years focused on the reuse and redevelopment of emptying faith properties.
What Local Leaders Should Know
- These properties present a different redevelopment challenge. Houses of worship can have deep connections to a neighborhood’s history and identity, requiring cities to consider more than the traditional economic and development factors involved in reusing vacant property.
- Vacancy can also create an opportunity. The conversation explores creative ways former faith properties can be repurposed to meet current community needs while recognizing their historic role.
- Cities can take a more strategic approach. Reinhard discusses common mistakes and missed opportunities when communities encounter empty faith properties and how local leaders can begin thinking proactively about redevelopment.
Reinhard is also leading a new, free NLC University course, “Spiritual Brownfields: How Can Cities Strategically Reuse and Redevelop Their Emptying Faith Properties?”, beginning Sept. 16. The course will give local leaders an opportunity to explore the issue in greater depth and consider approaches for properties in their own communities.
Listen to the full conversation, also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
About CitiesSpeak
Each episode of NLC’s podcast, CitiesSpeak with Clarence Anthony, dives into a critical issue facing local leaders today, featuring conversations with elected leaders and policy experts from across the country. The podcast is a relaxed and entertaining resource for local policymakers looking for ideas and information to bring back to their communities. The podcast is hosted by NLC CEO and Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony, who previously served as mayor of South Bay, Florida, for more than two decades.
New episodes of CitiesSpeak are available on all major podcasting platforms and on YouTube. If you have feedback for the show or ideas for future guests, email us. Happy listening!
