Kinston Councilmember Chris Suggs introduces a policy to promote the sale of vacant city-owned properties

KINSTON, NC - Chris J. Suggs, Kinston councilmember and newest member of the city’s governing body, has introduced a policy aimed at promoting the sale of vacant city-owned properties and streamlining the city’s property bidding process. The policy is on the agenda for the city council to discuss Tuesday night.

“The City of Kinston currently owns several hundred vacant and underutilized properties throughout our community that have been a strain on city resources to keep clean and maintained,” Suggs said in a statement. “I’m excited to announce this policy that will make it easier for interested citizens to identify what properties are owned by the City of Kinston and define clear procedures and requirements for those citizens to submit bids to purchase them.”

The policy directs the city’s staff to develop a list of city-owned properties that are of no use to the city government and present that list to the council each December. Once the council approves, that list will be advertised on the city’s website and social media– and available to view at Kinston’s city hall.

Most of the properties owned by the city are located in East Kinston, a historically Black community that is home to the most economically distressed census tract in the entire state, according to a 2014 report by UNC-Chapel Hill. This neighborhood has been devastated by hurricanes and catastrophic flooding, causing the city to acquire a significant number of properties through flood buyout programs. Properties subject to flood buyout restrictions will not be available for purchase under Suggs’ policy; however, they will be maintained by the city while they develop long-term plans for those flood-impacted areas.

Prior to joining the city council, Suggs worked with the city to develop a vacant lot adoption program to help with this issue. That program allowed nonprofit organizations to beautify city-owned properties for two years. Suggs says this new policy is different as it encourages the outright acquisition of these properties and will grow the city’s tax base. 

“It’s important that our council seeks ways to increase revenue without raising tax rates for our citizens, and I believe this policy is one way that we can do that. Putting these properties back in the hands of private citizens, businesses, and organizations will increase the tax base for the city and encourage community development and economic growth for our neighborhoods.”

Community members with questions or concerns should reach out to Suggs by email at chris.suggs@ci.kinston.nc.us or by calling the City Clerk’s office at (252) 939-3115.

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Chris J. Suggs was elected to the Kinston City Council in November 2021 and is currently the youngest elected official in North Carolina. The Kinston City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:30PM and 7:00PM, respectively.