Chicago 'Large Lots' program

[NUCat320]

hey Hungry (or others)-

I know you've mentioned local park involvement and fundraising efforts that you (and not those damn millennial parents) have been involved in.

Have you heard anything about / seen results of the first wave of the Large Lots program? Thoughts on it?

My assumptions are that a) this does not impact your neighborhood, and b) it's somehow crooked.

http://wgntv.com/2016/11/29/chicago-selling-4000-vacant-lots-for-1-starting-today/

 

[Medill90]

This started decades ago under Daley II, I believe.

It's a great program. It shifts property from owners who are not paying taxes to owners who are. The new owners live primarily next to the vacant lots. The original concept was that they would extend their landscaping/lawn.

 

[Hungry Jack]

The landowner I work with is NeighborSpace. They bought the lot,demoed the house, and I led the group that developed it into a public green space.

NeighborSpace owns about 80 properties in Chicago. Each is operated by a local group like ours. It's a great program.

 

[NUCat320]

(Just realized this is on the wrong board. Can a moderator move it to Rant?)

@FloridAlum ??