Faced with a growing number of vacant and abandoned properties, local governments sought new ways to return those properties to productive use. In Kansas City, the pursuit of a land bank began in 2010. 
With assistance from the Center for Community Progress, new legislation was drafted and then adopted in 2012. Shortly thereafter, the Land Bank of Kansas City, Missouri was established.
The staff of the Land Bank of Kansas City, Missouri have implemented a system that returns vacant properties to productive use, places them back on the tax rolls, and contributes to the improvement of the community.