4,000 Properties Available For $1 With Expansion Of Large Lots Program
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Major Emanuel announced Tuesday a major expansion of the city's Large Lots land sale program, that will expand into more than 30 communities across Chicago.
The program sells vacant city-owned land for $1, is set to expand with approximately 4,000 lots in the South and West sides. WBBM's political ediot Craig Dellimore reports from City Hall.
"The Large Lots program turns vacant lots into neighborhood assets that benefit neighbors and communities," Mayor Emanuel said. "This program's success is driven by people who are committed to strengthening their communities block by block, and this expansion will create opportunities to strengthen neighborhoods throughout the entire city of Chicago."
The Chicago Department of Planning and Development have begun accepting application from existing property owners. People can purchase up to two city-owned lots for $1 each.
Communities where land is available include:
- Auburn Gresham
- Austin
- Avalon Park
- Burnside
- Calumet Heights
- Chatham
- East Garfield
- East Side
- Englewood
- Fuller Park
- Hegewisch
- Humboldt Park
- Morgan Park
- New City
- North Lawndale
- Riverdale
- Roseland Pullman
- South Chicago
- South Deering
- South Shore
- Washington Heights
- West Englewood
- West Garfield
- West Pullman
Areas of Chicago Lawn, Douglas, Gage Park, Grand Boulevard, Great Grand Crossing, Near West Side, Oakland, South Lawndale and Washington Park also have lots available.
Applications will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2017 through the website.
To qualify as a buyer, an applicant must own property on the same block, be current on their property taxes and have no outstanding debt to the city.
Each lot is sold "as-is" via a quit claim deed.
The Large Lots program began in 2014 in greater Englewood and later expanded into other communities. Since the program launched, more than 550 lots have been sold, bringing success to the neighborhoods.
Many lots have been purchased and turned into side yards, community gardens or landscaped open space.
An ongoing study by the U.S. Forest Service indicates that more than 40 percent of buyers make rapid improvements, such as installing fencing, removing trash and refuse, planting grass and foliage, and developing recreational and social amenities. Approximately 20 percent of the lots sold to date are actively gardened, according to a statement for the mayor's office.
Residents surveyed in the study also reported quieter and safer streets with the reduction of opportunities for vagrancy, loitering, and antisocial behavior.
Applications are submitted through the Large Lots website. Application assistance is available during business hours at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 1101.
