More than 320 parcels of vacant, City-owned land would be approved for sale through the City’s “Large Lot” pilot program under a proposal introduced to City Council today by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. These are the first sales to be approved under the pilot program.

The parcels, located throughout greater Englewood, would be sold to property owners who successfully applied to the Large Lot program earlier this year.

“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,” Mayor Emanuel said.

The Mayor launched the Large Lot Program in March, offering City-owned vacant lots to local residents, block clubs and community organizations for $1 each. Greater Englewood was selected for the rollout of the program due to an abundance of vacant land in the area, including some 4,000 lots that are owned by the City. Most were acquired by the City due to tax delinquencies and demolition liens. The program was later expanded to East Garfield Park.

“This program will allow residents to clean up vacant lots and transform them into community assets, which complements our work to strengthen Chicago neighborhoods,” said Alderman Ray Suarez. “We also envision this program to potentially create more affordable housing, as community groups could build new developments on what was once vacant, City-owned land.”

Applicants were required to own property on the same block; be current on property taxes; and have no financial obligations to the City, among other requirements.

Typically sized at 3,125 square feet, the 322 properties would be sold by the City “as is” via a Quit Claim deed. Residents purchasing the lots will repurpose the land for a variety of uses.

The Large Lot Program is the first initiative launched by the City as part of its 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. DPD developed the plan with help from more than 120 housing experts, activists, builders and owners. The process was driven by a 20-member steering committee supported by a 60-member advisory group.

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