In this guidebook, law professor Frank Alexander explores the development of land banks in St. Louis, Cleveland, Louisville, Atlanta, and Genesee County, Mich., addressing the conditions, history, and legal structures of each. In comparing and contrasting the legal approaches and policies of these five examples, Alexander offers public officials and community leaders important findings derived from the work and experiences of the nation's first land banks. This guide can serve as a roadmap for cities and counties across America that are attempting to rediscover the value of urban land.