[ssiguy]

These course do not have to be redeveloped into McMansion acres as long as the City doesn't sell them wholesale. In fact, most couldn't be because if the land is just sold the owners would have to pay back the millions owed in 'banked' taxes making the land too expensive to purchase.

This is why I think 'donating' a good chunk of the land to the City for things like parks & low income housing in lieu of the back taxes makes perfect sense. The reality is that cities know that these taxes will never repaid because even owners who want to sell can't afford to which is why they are never closed.

It would be a win-win scenario with the cities and it's citizens themselves being the main beneficiaries.