City-owned vacant lots will sell for $1 in 15th Aldermanic District
Property owners in Milwaukee’s 15th Aldermanic District on the north side will be able to purchase vacant lots from the city for $1.
Property owners in Milwaukee’s 15th Aldermanic District on the north side will be able to purchase vacant lots from the city for $1, under legislation sponsored by Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II and approved by the Common Council on Tuesday.
“It’s my hope that this pilot program will unburden the city of its obligation to maintain vacant lots resulting from the foreclosure crisis,” Alderman Stamper said.
“There’s no reason that these parcels shouldn’t be turned over to responsible home owners, who will in turn be able to see to their upkeep and improve their neighborhoods.”
The city currently owns more than 2,700 vacant residential lots, a disproportionate number of which (15 percent) are located in the 15th Aldermanic District. Alderman Stamper said that many of the properties were taken as a part of the tax foreclosure crisis, and that, due to neglect, blight and criminal activity, the city was forced to demolish the buildings that stood on those properties.
Under the local pilot program, each vacant residential lot in the 15th Aldermanic District will be offered to adjacent property owners for the purchase price of $1, provided the buyer is a City of Milwaukee resident. If more than one neighbor is interested in the property, the lot may be subdivided, but buyers must be in good standing with the city and agree to pay taxes on the property after it is sold.
“This program stands to save the city money, get properties back onto the tax rolls and help rebuild our neighborhoods from the inside out,” Alderman Stamper said. “If it meets with success in my district, we may be able to expand it to other parts of the city.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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