Tax Abatement Legislation Introduced Today (an action item & press opportunity!)

[paula z. segal]

See the press release below about a resolution just introduced in the City Council to support a state Senate and Assembly bill that would allow the City to create a tax abatement for private vacant lot owners who chose to work with groups like yours to allow the creation of community spaces. 

Two action items: 

1. If you would like to speak to the press about the opportunities this future tax credit might create, the affect of warehoused vacant land on your neighborhood, or how you are already partnering with a landowner who would benefit from such a tax credit -- PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME ASAP (pa...@596acres.org // 646 276 3865). If you know a landowner who would like to make a statement, that would be awesome too!

2. Call your city council member and ask them to publicly support this resolution. Explain what you are working on and how this will help. When you call, ask to speak to legislative staff. 

Statement from Council Member Stephen Levin

33rd District, Brooklyn

 *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* 

DATE: 7/24/2013

CONTACT: Matt Ojala

(212) 788-7348

Levin introduces legislation that would put vacant lots in NYC to positive use

Incentive would allow vacant lots to be used as community gardens, urban farms, open space

BROOKLYN – 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.” 

Paula Z. Segal, Director of 596 Acres, a small NYC non-profit land access advocacy organization that focuses mainly on creating public access opportunities for vacant public land said, "People who are looking to engage with privately-owned vacant land in their neighborhoods reach out to us constantly -- at least one new group a week. As we guide them through the process of starting a conversation with land owners, we're really looking forward to having this tax abatement be a tool that they can use to get a conversation started and get a project off the ground, harnessing the potential of New York City's space for community benefit."

 

 

[paula z. segal]

Here's the press round-up on City & State Legislation to Create Tax Abatements for Private Owners Who Let Neighbors Use Their Vacant Lots

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/36/31/all_vacantlandincentives_2013_08_02_bk.html (Nice quote, Carly!)

http://www.brooklynews.com/2013/07/councilman-introduces-legislation-that-would-put-vacant-lots-in-nyc-to-positive-use/

http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/levin-says-turn-vacant-lots-public-gardens-2013-07-24-163000

http://www.greenpointnews.com/news/5544/north-brooklyn-electeds-introduce-legislation-to-put-vacant-lots-to-positive-use