CHICAGO — The deadline to apply to buy a vacant lot in Austin from the City of Chicago for $1 is Jan. 29.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Friday that the Large Lots program, which is already successful in Englewood and Garfield Park, will expand to Austin.
About 250 pieces of land will be up for sale in Austin. The properties are typically vacant lots that were turned over to the city through property-tax delinquency or demolition liens.
Most are turned into side yards, community gardens or landscaped open spaces, as owners are required to own property on the same block as the lot.
Applicants also must be current on property taxes and have no outstanding debts like parking tickets or unpaid water bills, according to a statement.
The properties are sold "as-is," and an applicant can apply for two parcels. The lots average about 3,100 square feet.
In Englewood, 400 people applied for 4,000 vacant lots. In Garfield Park, 320 people applied for 410 open lots, according to a statement.
“The Large Lot program has enabled the greater Englewood and East Garfield Park communities to take ownership of their revitalization and we expect that the same will hold true in Austin,” Emanuel said in a statement.
Austin residents looking to apply for the program can do so here or stop in to City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., room 905.
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