DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - For years, the City of Decatur has been demolishing homes that have been left vacant and gone into disrepair. While that ensures the homes aren't dangerous, or eyesores, it does leave vacant lots spread throughout the community.
The city is taking on a new initiative, hoping to get developers to take on the task of creating new housing opportunities in the empty lots. They are targeting the blocks that fall south of West Wood Street, north of West Decatur Street, East of South Oakland Avenue, and West of South Monroe Street.
"We had collected about 28 fairly contiguous lots in a three block radius, so we decided that would be a great place to start," said Lacie Elzy, Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Decatur. "It's close to the Oakwood business district, close to Fairview Plaza, Millikin, so a lot of opportunity over there and the need for housing."
The city has determined they need 650 more housing opportunities to keep up with demand. In this neighborhood, they are looking for creative solutions to increase housing availability.
"It could be duplexes, triplexes, single family, smaller apartment complexes, I'd be very interested to see what kind of developments developers would bring," said Elzy.
Right now, the city is accepting bids for projects in the set area. To incentivize new work, they are waiving all permit fees, including building, electrical and mechanical.
This is a pilot program that the city hopes to replicate in other neighborhoods if it is successful. Elzy said the city owns about 1,000 lots, which means there are multiple opportunities to replicate the program.
For more information on the bidding process and the program, visit the City of Decatur's website.
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