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City Moves to Permit Sale of Large Lots in Englewood for as Little as $1

By Wendell Hutson | October 8, 2014 6:44pm
 Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced an ordinance at the Oct. 8, 2014 City Council meeting that would allow the sale vacant lots to Englewood residents.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced an ordinance at the Oct. 8, 2014 City Council meeting that would allow the sale vacant lots to Englewood residents.
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DNAinfo/Ted Cox

ENGLEWOOD — More than 320 parcels of vacant, city-owned land in Englewood would be approved for sale for as little as $1 through the city’s “Large Lot” pilot program, thanks to an ordinance Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced at Wednesday's City Council meeting.

The purpose of the program, according to the mayor's office, is to move vacant properties out of the city’s hands and into private ownership in an expedited fashion, with the aim for residents to use the land to expand the yards around their homes, to create gardens on their block or for further beautification or housing.

“These lots will help local residents directly invest in their homes and neighborhoods, either as side yards, gardens, for beautification, or for other productive purposes,” Emanuel said.

In March, the city launched the Large Lot program, offering city-owned vacant lots to local residents, block clubs and community organizations for $1 each. Englewood was selected for the rollout of the program due to an abundance of vacant land in the area, which includes some 4,000 city-owned lots. The program has since expanded to include East Garfield Park on the West Side.

The Large Lot program is part of its the city's Five Year Housing Plan, which will invest $1.3 billion in spending from 2014-2018 to create, improve, and preserve more than 41,000 units of housing.

The new ordinance also means nonprofits like the West Englewood United Organization would be able to purchase land to expand its temporary housing for abused women.

"Well, there are plenty of vacant lots in Englewood not being used so I think it is a good idea. And for $1 you can't beat that price," said Clara Kirk, who runs two women's shelters in Englewood.

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