Today, Council Member Stephen Levin is introducing legislation that would put vacant lots to positive use in New York City. By providing a property tax exemption, the legislation provides an incentive to property owners who are not able to develop their lots to instead transform them into positive amenities – i.e. community gardens, urban farms, and pop-up parks – that the public can enjoy.

There are over 22,000 privately owned vacant lots in New York City, totaling over 3,300 acres, of privately owned lots across the five boroughs that stand vacant – most of them fenced off to the public, often times for years on end. If enacted, property owners would forgo paying 100% of the taxes on the portion of the vacant lot if it is put to use in a way that provides a public benefit. Levin will introduce the legislation at today’s stated meeting of the City Council. Senator Daniel Squadron and Assemblyman Joe Lentol have also introduced similar legislation at the state level.

“Vacant lots here in New York City are blights to our communities. With this legislation we have an opportunity to put vacant lots to positive use,” said Council Member Stephen Levin. “The property owner benefits by not having to pay property taxes on land they aren’t using and the community gets publically accessible, environmentally friendly, healthy open space. It is a win-win for the public and property owners of New York City. I want to thank Senator Squadron, Assemblyman Lentol, and 596 Acres for being great partners in working to enact this legislation here in New York City.”

“We can’t rely on private landowners who actually care for the betterment of the environment and community to step up to the plate. We must encourage the use of unused land to provide our neighborhoods with much-needed open green space,” said Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol. “By providing innovative short-term solutions for space that would otherwise sit vacant we can create networks of open space that the concrete jungle of New York City so desperately needs.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)